The Island
Brady Paul Lyrics
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They say the skies of Lebanon are burning.
Those mighty cedars bleeding in the heat.
They're showing pictures on the television.
Women and children dying in the street
And we're still at it in our own place.
Still trying to reach the future through the past.
Chorus
But Hey! Don't listen to me!.
This wasn't meant to be no sad song.
We've heard too much of that before.
Right now I only want to be here with you.
Till the morning dew comes falling.
I want to take you to the island.
And trace your footprints in the sand.
And in the evening when the sun goes down
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean
They're raising banners over by the markets
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls
Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown
No way our holy flag is gonna fall
Up here we sacrifice our children
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday
And teach them dying will lead us into glory...
Repeat chorus
Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story.
And I know this peace and love's just copping out.
And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches.
Is just what being free is all about.
And how this twisted wreckage down on main street.
Will bring us all together in the end.
And we'll go marching down the road to freedom....
Freedom
The Island, a song by Paul Brady, addresses the ongoing violence and hunger for power in modern society. The first verse talks about Lebanon, where giant cedars are burning and pictures of women and children dying on the streets are being broadcasted on television. Unlike people in Lebanon who are struggling to survive, people in the singer's own place are still trying to find their way to the future while reflecting upon the past. With a vivid metaphor, the singer describes how his people's search for the future is similar to "carving tomorrow from a tombstone."
Despite the heavy theme of the song, the chorus urges to leave the sadness behind and focus on the present moment: being with each other, tracing footsteps on the sand, and making love to the sound of the ocean. The second verse brings attention to the political instability in the markets and shipyard walls where banners are being raised and slogans are being painted over. The phrase "witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown" may imply that the situation has gotten so dire that people are resorting to irrational beliefs and practices to achieve their goals. The lyrics also suggest that people, particularly those in power, continue to cling to outdated dreams, symbolized by the children being sacrificed.
The third and final verse demonstrates the singer's awareness of his privilege as a plain folk and highlights that the lofty notions of peace and love that are often sung about in songs are merely an escape from reality. The phrase "young boys dying in ditches is just what being free is all about" may provoke a sense of sobering reality in the listener. The song concludes with a sentiment that the chaos and destruction that the singer has described may ultimately bring people together and propel them towards freedom.
Line by Line Meaning
They say the skies of Lebanon are burning.
The sky in Lebanon is on fire due to the heat and it's a big issue.
Those mighty cedars bleeding in the heat.
Even the strong cedar trees are suffering from the heat, emphasizing the severity of the situation.
They're showing pictures on the television.
The news is covering the situation, bringing it to everyone's attention.
Women and children dying in the street
The violence in Lebanon is taking innocent lives, especially those of women and children.
And we're still at it in our own place.
Despite all these issues, there are still problems in our own country that need addressing.
Still trying to reach the future through the past.
We're trying to move forward, but we keep getting caught up in our past mistakes.
Still trying to carve tomorrow from a tombstone...
We're trying to create a better future from a bleak present, but we're not making much progress.
But Hey! Don't listen to me!.
The artist is acknowledging that they're just one person and not an authority on these issues.
This wasn't meant to be no sad song.
The song is not meant to be depressing or negative.
We've heard too much of that before.
Negative news is overwhelming and we need some positivity.
Right now I only want to be here with you.
The singer wants to focus on the present and being with someone they love, instead of worrying about the world's problems.
Till the morning dew comes falling.
They want to stay in this moment until the morning comes.
I want to take you to the island.
The singer wants to escape from reality with the person they love and go somewhere peaceful.
And trace your footprints in the sand.
They want to spend time with this person, leaving physical reminders of their time together.
And in the evening when the sun goes down
The singer wants to spend time with this person even when the day is over.
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean
The artist wants to show their love for this person in a beautiful, natural setting.
They're raising banners over by the markets
There are political protests happening near the market.
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls
People are covering up graffiti on the walls with new slogans.
Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown
There are people who still believe in ancient traditions like witchcraft, and they want to see some kind of confrontation.
No way our holy flag is gonna fall
There are people who are extremely patriotic and will not let anything harm their country's image.
Up here we sacrifice our children
Even in the artist's own country, children are asked to make sacrifices for the nation.
To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday
Sacrifices are made for outdated ideas and goals.
And teach them dying will lead us into glory...
Children are taught that sacrificing their lives for their country is a noble and honorable thing to do.
Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story.
Normal people like the artist don't have access to all the information about what's happening in the world.
And I know this peace and love's just copping out.
The singer knows that promoting peace and love isn't enough to fix everything and could be seen as avoiding the issues.
And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches.
The singer is acknowledging the sacrifice of young men who are willing to give their lives for their country.
Is just what being free is all about.
The idea of freedom comes at a cost, which is the sacrifice of young lives.
And how this twisted wreckage down on main street.
The artist is referring to some kind of violent incident on a major street.
Will bring us all together in the end.
The artist hopes that a tragedy will help people come together to work towards a positive future.
And we'll go marching down the road to freedom.... Freedom
People will come together to fight for their freedom and a better future for everyone.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GEOFFREY DOWNES, TREVOR CHARLES HORN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dan Tierney
It's a crime that his music hasn't been played on American radio. I feel so lucky that I had a job as a bar-back in an Irish pub, even if it was in Florida. One of the Irish owners would come in on Sunday mornings and play the cd "Songs and Crazy Dreams" while he did the books. After about 6 weeks of mopping the floor to his music I was enthralled, mesmerized, captivated, and, yes, addicted. Paul's voice, melodies and especially his lyrics are timeless. Thank you for posting.
John Bkk
Paul talent magical
The above song is a thing of beauty.
William Woodhouse
Two of my favourite songs and I also would never have known of them if I hadn't worked in a Irish bar!
Wilfred Wilde
Visit the north
Paul Brookes
He’s one of our best Musicians and song writers! Comes from the heart. To get his album I had to have it sent from the states lol 😂. Crazy .
Kimmie Ess
This is a song I come back to again and again. It's truly a timeless, poignant story so gorgeously told.
bennevisplace
Love the pure simplicity of the accompaniment, lets the song speak for itself. Timeless and magnificent.
Shahzad Zafar
I heard this as a teenager in the 80s. It struck me to the core. Thanks for uploading.
Jan Thygesen
Great song. Great singer/songwriter. Great performance. One of the best songs that came out of the -80'ies. Outstanding!
Mick Flynn
A masterpiece! The respect Paul gives the legend
on piano.