The Seer
Big Country Lyrics

Long ago I heard a tale I never will forget
I heard a story a long time ago that left an indelible impression on me.

The time was in the telling on the bank the scene was set
The story she told me was so vivid and compelling that it felt like I was actually there on the riverbank with her.

The sky was rolling blindly on, the daylight had not gone
As she spoke, the sky was darkening and the sun was setting, but still it felt as if time was suspended and anything was possible.

She washed her hair among the stones and saw what was to come
She was communing with nature and received a vision of the future.

All this will pass
Everything that happens in life is temporary and will eventually come to an end.

There will be blood among the corn and heroes in the hills
In the future, there will be both violence and bravery in equal measure.

But there is more to come my boy before you've had your fill
There is still much that you will experience in life, beyond what you can imagine now.

Men will come and rape the soil as though it were their own
Humanity will exploit the earth and its resources without regard for their impact.

And they will bathe their feet in oil as I have bathed my own
People will become immersed in their own greed and lust for power, much like the artist has indulged in selfish behaviors themselves.

Stones will stand together as if searching for the stars
There will be moments of unity and strength in the face of adversity, as people band together to strive for something greater.

And all come crashing down again before they reach too far
However, these moments of progress will inevitably falter or be crushed before they can achieve their full potential.

She turned to face the setting sun, I turned to walk away
The artist and the vision-keeper part ways at the end of their encounter.

But then she called my name again and beckoned me to stay
Despite their impending separation, the vision-keeper wants to impart more wisdom to the singer.

She told me of the famous sons who write their names in peace
The vision-keeper speaks of great figures who have achieved lasting peace and renown throughout history.

Yet be cut down before the time has come for our release
These same figures have been tragically cut down prematurely, before they could fully realize their potential or complete their work.

Even now I wait for the coming day
The vision-keeper remains vigilant and hopeful for a better future, even amid dark times.

Even now she waits in the dawn
The vision-keeper is eagerly anticipating new revelations and insights, as represented by the dawning of a new day.

For the tales she tells, for the gifts that she will sell
The vision-keeper believes her stories and insights are valuable and seeks to share them with others.

For the sight she knows, for a vision that still grows
The vision-keeper possesses a deep knowledge and understanding of the world, and is always seeking to expand her horizons even further.

With the dream in her eyes no one's seen
Despite her immense insight and vision, the true nature of the vision-keeper's dreams and aspirations remains a mystery to most people.

I listened for so long that day that I can hardly tell
The artist was so wrapped up in the vision-keeper's stories and insights that they lost all sense of time passing.

If what she said was heaven sent or brought to bear in hell
The artist is left uncertain whether the vision-keeper's words were divinely inspired or influenced by darker forces.

That men of hope would stand alone and still be cast a lie
Despite the optimism and positivity of many individuals, they will still face a world that is often cruel and unforgiving.

Just as Romans cast them on the day they were to die
This mistreatment and oppression is nothing new, and historical examples like the cruel treatment of Roman gladiators illustrate how long this pattern has persisted.