North Wind
Alba Griot Ensemble Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
on a hazy afternoon let's take it slow
The sun is beating down on the bustle of the town
tell me, river, what you know
A dusty wind is blowing in
from the desert to the north
carrying whispers on the breeze
and whispers of war
The days slip by like water that flows under the bridge
and we live each moment once and let it go
and you have to sieze each chance in the magic of the dance
when the music's going to stop, you never know
A dull explosion rocks the night
there's panic in the street outside
blind confusion, sudden flight
heartbeat racing,
looking for a place to hide
A dusty wind is blowing in
from the desert to the north
carrying whispers on the breeze
whispers of peace
and whispers of war
The lyrics of Alba Griot Ensemble's song "North Wind" convey a sense of observation and reflection upon the passing of time and the uncertain nature of life. The opening lines set the scene by watching a river flowing towards a bend on a hazy afternoon, inviting the listener to slow down and take in the moment. The singer addresses the river, seeking its wisdom and knowledge, perhaps symbolizing a desire for guidance and understanding amidst the chaos of everyday life.
The mention of a dusty wind blowing in from the north introduces an element of contrast and duality. This wind carries both whispers of peace and whispers of war, hinting at the complexities and conflicts that exist in the world. It serves as a reminder that both harmony and strife coexist, constantly influencing and shaping our lives. The imagery of the days slipping away like water under a bridge highlights the fleeting nature of time, emphasizing the need to seize opportunities and embrace the magic of the present moment.
The song takes a sudden shift in tone as a dull explosion rocks the night, causing panic and confusion in the streets. This unexpected disruption leads to a sense of fear and urgency, with people searching for safety and shelter. The juxtaposition of this chaotic event with the earlier serenity of observing the river highlights the unpredictability and fragility of life. The repeats of the verse about the dusty wind further emphasize the coexistence of peace and war, drawing attention to the constant uncertainty and turbulence present in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Watching the great river as it flows up to the bend
Observing the majestic river as it gracefully moves towards the curve
on a hazy afternoon let's take it slow
During a calm and unclear afternoon, we should relax and proceed leisurely
The sun is beating down on the bustle of the town
The intense sun shines upon the busy activity happening in the town
tell me, river, what you know
Please share your wisdom, river
A dusty wind is blowing in
An arid wind is gusting
from the desert to the north
Originating from the northern desert
carrying whispers on the breeze
Transporting soft spoken messages through the gentle air currents
whispers of peace
Faint voices conveying tranquility
and whispers of war
As well as murmurs of conflict
The days slip by like water that flows under the bridge
The passing days are akin to the swift current beneath the bridge
and we live each moment once and let it go
We experience and release each fleeting moment
and you have to seize each chance in the magic of the dance
One must grasp every opportunity within the enchantment of the dance
when the music's going to stop, you never know
We can never predict when the music will cease
A dull explosion rocks the night
A muted explosion disturbs the stillness of the night
there's panic in the street outside
The streets are filled with fear and anxiety
blind confusion, sudden flight
Widespread bewilderment leads to abrupt departure
heartbeat racing, looking for a place to hide
Heart pounding, desperately searching for shelter
A dusty wind is blowing in
Again, a dry wind is blowing
from the desert to the north
Emerging from the northern desert
carrying whispers on the breeze
Continuing to bear soft spoken messages in the air
whispers of peace
Whispers advocating for peace
and whispers of war
And whispers expressing the presence of war
Lyrics © Piranha Arts AG
Written by: Mark John Mulholland
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind