Following Adamson's death in 2001, the band reformed in 2007, with the surviving members. Between 2010 and 2013, the band reformed with Mike Peters of The Alarm on lead vocals. Since then the band has continued with only two of the original members (Watson and Brzezicki).
Big Country's first single was "Harvest Home", recorded and released in 1982. It was a modest success, although it did not reach the UK Singles Chart. Their next single was 1983's "Fields Of Fire (400 Miles)", which reached the UK's Top Ten and was followed by the album The Crossing. The album was a hit in the United States (reaching the Top 20 in the Billboard 200), powered by "In a Big Country", their only US Top 40 single.
Stuart Adamson was found dead in a room at the Best Western Plaza Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii on 16 December 2001, having been believed to have died by suicide.
On 24 May 2024 the band announced that singer Tommie Paxton would being "helping them out" for the year. Paxton is guitar player and singer with the Big Country tribute band Restless Natives.
Porrohman
Big Country Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A sacrifice prepared
Laughter lies on faces where the sun has never shone
The fear of life is strong
We are waiting in the forest deep and dark behind the wall
What is hidden in our hearts
Absolves of all worry when our fate is in the hands
Of a demon or a god
Takes his dust from a moving line
On our knees with our eyes on the ground
Those once lost have now been found
Save us from all worldly pain
Save us from the glowing rain
Save us all from love and hope
The lyrics to Big Country's song "Porrohman" paints an eerie picture of the state of the city, with night hanging over it like a blanket over a cage. People's faces are etched with laughter, but it is on faces that have never been touched by the warmth of the sun. It is a place where fear of living is strong, and people are ready to make sacrifices in hopes of dissolving that fear. In a forest deep and dark, behind walls, there are people waiting for something that can absolve them of all their worries. They're unsure what is hidden in their hearts but believe that there could be a demon or a god waiting for them.
The chorus speaks of a Porrohman, who comes from the inside of time to take his dust from a moving line. The people are on their knees, with their eyes fixed on the ground, grateful for whatever this figure will bring them. Those who were once lost have been found, and they implore Porrohman to save them from worldly pain, and love and hope, too. There's a sense of despair and helplessness in the words, but the chanted refrain gives listeners a glimmer of hope that things can be better.
"Porrohman" is a song that leaves a lot to the imagination, and its lyrics are open to interpretations. Some links on the internet suggest it is about the loss of childhood innocence, the fear of death, or perhaps even a nod to the Vietnam War. Big Country's lead singer, Stuart Adamson, has also mentioned that the song was influenced by the writing of Tom Wolfe, particularly The Right Stuff.
Line by Line Meaning
Night hangs on the city like a blanket on a cage
The darkness of the night is oppressive and all-encompassing, trapping us like prisoners.
A sacrifice prepared
We are ready to offer up something important in order to achieve our goals.
Laughter lies on faces where the sun has never shone
People put on a façade of happiness even though they have never truly experienced joy.
The fear of life is strong
We are deeply afraid of what life has in store for us.
We are waiting in the forest deep and dark behind the wall
We are in hiding, anticipating what will come next and pondering our own hidden desires.
What is hidden in our hearts
We are keeping secrets that are close to our hearts.
Absolves of all worry when our fate is in the hands
We can let go of worry when we believe that our fate is not in our own hands but in those of a higher power.
Of a demon or a god
Our savior could come from a dark or light source.
Porroh man come from the inside of time
Our savior is an otherworldly and ancient being.
Takes his dust from a moving line
Our savior is constantly adapting and changing in response to the world around them.
On our knees with our eyes on the ground
We are humbled and in awe of our savior's power, displaying deference and respect.
Those once lost have now been found
Our savior has the power to redeem those who were previously lost or unworthy.
Save us from all worldly pain
Our desire is to be free from all earthly struggles.
Save us from the glowing rain
Our savior can protect us from harm and danger, represented by the glowing rain.
Save us all from love and hope
Our desire is to be free from the burdens of romance and expectation.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: B. WATSON, M. BRZEZICKI, S. ADAMSON, T. BUTLER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Cannon
The greatest band ever for people of spirit and soul. This song can pull anyone from the depth of despair.. you are all worth something to so many. Be strong. Peace out ✌️
Jeff Railey
Very truly and beautifully stated.
Paul Cannon
@Jeff Railey thanks 🙌✌️👍💙
Sheldon Tapp
So correct. My favourite Big Country song. If I am feeling down this song helps big time. I honestly think it's the percussion. Big Country had the best percussion outfit really ever. Pete Townsend from the Who wanted them big time. And he got them. Mark and Bruce. Great band great percussion that is the basis percussion is what it Is all about and Big Country's percussion outfit was ridiculously good.
thewackeddoctors
Thanks for the uplifting words, just what I needed to hear right now. Your positivity is noticed, keep it up.
Ramiro Cardozo
One of the best songs nobody knows about. Masterful. RIP Stuart Adamson.
Blue Franc Boothe
Big Country: One of the most underrated bands of the 1980's.
William Johnson
That long guitar intro is pure blissful perfection.
Darryl Marable
That's why I came here and sat down.
Anderson Davies
@Darryl Marable Exactly. Those two guitar players are totally underrated - and I haven't even mentioned Stuart's incredible voice!