Man's a filthy creature
Raping the land and water and the air
Tomorrow may be too late
Now's the time that you must be aware
Nature's disappearing
Polluted death is coming, do you care

Garbage going nowhere
Soon the dumps will spread to your front door
Lakes and rivers stagnant
Nothing lives or grows like years before
Nature's disappearing
The world you take for granted soon no more

Read about pollution
Make manufacturers uncomfortable
Boycott at the market
Containers that are non-returnable
Aluminum, glass and plastic
Eternal waste that's not destructible

We're a generation
That may live out our natural time
But as for all our children
Born to suffocate in human slime
Nature's disappearing
And we are guilty of this massive crime

Overall Meaning

In "Nature's Disappearing," John Mayall addresses environmental destruction, specifically the harm caused by human beings towards nature. The song begins with Mayall conveying his contempt for humanity by calling people "filthy creatures" and condemning them for their actions that have degraded the environment. He emphasizes that corrective action to counter nature's destruction is an urgent need, warning that tomorrow might be too late.

Mayall then gives a detailed description of how pollution is ravaging the environment. He highlights the problem of garbage accumulation that's not being disposed of properly, leading to the spread of pollution even to people’s doorstep. Mayall also points out the sad state of stagnant rivers and lakes due to pollution, which has depleted the water sources of life that previously existed alongside them. To drive home the importance of this issue, he requests people not to take the world for granted.

The song's final verse sends a strong message to the listener. Mayall suggests that reading up on the pollution issue and taking action to boycott industries that pollute the environment is one way to make a significant impact. He suggests that there is an urgent need to shift to non-returnable glass, aluminum, and plastic containers that aren't forever waste. Mayall emphasizes that environmental pollution is not something distant that will happen only in the future, but it is here and now, affecting our generation as well as future generations. The song encourages people to take the necessary steps to avert impending environmental disaster.

Line by Line Meaning

Man's a filthy creature
Humans are dirty beings

Raping the land and water and the air
Destroying the environment through reckless actions

Tomorrow may be too late
Future may be in danger

Now's the time that you must be aware
This is the stage to understand the gravity of the situation

Nature's disappearing
The natural environment is vanishing

Polluted death is coming, do you care
The environment is becoming a hazard to life, does it matter to you?

Garbage going nowhere
Waste left unattended

Soon the dumps will spread to your front door
Landfills and waste will soon reach the public

Lakes and rivers stagnant
Bodies of water are still and undisturbed

Nothing lives or grows like years before
Vegetation and animal life of the past no longer thrive

Nature's disappearing
Nature continues to perish

The world you take for granted soon no more
The world we have taken for granted is vanishing quickly

Read about pollution
Educate yourself about harmful elements in the environment

Make manufacturers uncomfortable
Manufacturers should take responsibility for their actions

Boycott at the market
Abstain from purchasing harmful products

Containers that are non-returnable
Packaging and waste should be able to be returned

Aluminum, glass and plastic
Materials that take years to decompose

Eternal waste that's not destructible
Waste that remains unbreakable and long-lasting

We're a generation
A particular era of human life

That may live out our natural time
May live our lives as intended

But as for all our children
Concerning future generations

Born to suffocate in human slime
Destined to suffer from pollution

Nature's disappearing
The natural environment continues to decline

And we are guilty of this massive crime
Humans are responsible for the destruction of the environment

just now