As in recording the album, back in 1981, U2 had little time to compose or record the song, so this was kind of an experiment whithin the studio, an improvisation, like many songs in 'October'.
J. Swallow
U2 Lyrics
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Stop watching
I take you by the hand
Stop inside
Paul and me
We walk by
I saw
It was burning
Village
On fire
Was a village on fire
The lyrics of U2's song "J. Swallow" capture a vivid and unsettling scene of destruction and chaos. In these few lines, U2 paints a haunting picture of a village engulfed in flames. The repeated phrase "Johnny Swallow" can be interpreted as a call to attention or a plea for action. It could symbolize the urgency to stop watching passively and instead take action to address the devastation.
The line "Stop inside, Paul and me, we walk by" suggests that the singer and someone named Paul are witnessing the fire firsthand, walking through the scene. The reference to walking silently implies a somber and reflective mood, as they take in the extent of the destruction before them.
The final lines, "Village on fire, was a village on fire," emphasize the profound impact of the disaster. It serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of communities and the urgent need to come together in times of crisis. The repetition of "village on fire" further emphasizes the immense loss and the desperate need for intervention.
Overall, the lyrics of "J. Swallow" convey a powerful message about the importance of taking action in the face of catastrophe and highlights the shared responsibility to support and protect our communities.
Line by Line Meaning
Johnny Swallo
The singer of the song, named Johnny Swallow, is introduced.
Stop watching
Cease observing and pay attention.
I take you by the hand
I offer support and guidance.
Stop inside
Halt and enter a place.
Paul and me
Paul, another person, accompanies me.
We walk by
We move past something or someone.
Walking silent
Moving silently, perhaps carefully or solemnly.
I saw
I observed or witnessed something.
It was burning
The subject was engulfed in flames or intense heat.
Village
A small, typically rural community.
On fire
In a state of combustion or being consumed by flames.
Was a village on fire
The village was engulfed in flames, facing destruction.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Adam Clayton, David Evans, Laurence Mullen, Paul David Hewson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A me
on eleven o' clock tick tock
And girls can make children but not like this one...so will just have to walk around with a painted face then...
LMewdowlark
on One
Baby, baby, baby, I know I'm not alone
Ha, ha, ha
Oh, it's not a hill it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
Let's shout into the darkness, squeeze out sparks of light
You know we're gonna go crazy, you know we'll go crazy
You know we'll go crazy, if we don't go crazy tonight
Oh, slowly
Oh
Hold me slow
Again, these are the wrong lyrics. They are not the lyrics for 'One' but a different song. I pasted the correct lyrics in my other comment.
LMewdowlark
on One
And there's a part of you that wants me to riot
Everybody needs to cry or needs to spit
Every sweet-tooth needs just a little hit
Every beauty needs to go out with an idiot
How can you stand next to the truth and not see it?
Oh, change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
Do you believe me or are you doubting?
We're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Every generation gets a chance to change the world
Pity the nation that won't listen to you boys and girls
Is the sweetest melody the one we haven't heard?
Is it true that perfect love drives out all fear?
The right to be ridiculous is something I hold dear
Oh, but change of heart comes slow
It's not a hill, it's a mountain
As you start out the climb
You see, for me, I've been shouting
But we're gonna make it all the way to the light
But I know I'll go crazy if I don't go crazy tonight
Is it getting better
Or do you feel the same?
Will it make it easier on you now
You got someone to blame?
You say, one love, one life
When it's one need in the night
One love, we get to share it
Leaves you, baby, if you don't care for it
Did I disappoint you
Or leave a bad taste in your mouth?
You act like you never had love
And you want me to go without
Well, it's too late tonight
To drag the past out into the light
We're one, but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
Have you come here for forgiveness?
Have you come to raise the dead?
Have you come here to play Jesus?
To the lepers in your head
Did I ask too much? More than a lot
You gave me nothing, now it's all I got
We're one but we're not the same
Well, we hurt each other then we do it again
You say love is a temple, love a higher law
Love is a temple, love the higher law
You ask me to enter but then you make me crawl
And I can't be holdin' on to what you got
When all you got is hurt
One love, one blood
One life, you got to do what you should
One life with each other
Sisters, brothers
One life but we're not the same
We get to carry each other, carry each other
One
One