Debris
Faces Lyrics


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Two, three, four

I left you on the debris
At the Sunday morning market
You were sorting through the odds and ends
You was looking for a bargain

I heard your footsteps at the front door
And that old familiar love song
'Cause you knew you'd find me waiting there
At the top of the stairs

I went there and back
Just to see how far it was
And you, you tried to tell me
But I had to learn for myself

There's more trouble at the depot
With the general workers union
And you said, "They'll never change a thing
Well, they won't fight and they're not working"

Oh, you was my hero
How you are my good friend
I've been there and back
And I know how far it is

But I left you on the debris
Now we both know you got no money




And I wonder what you would have done
Without me hanging around

Overall Meaning

Faces' song Debris tells a story of a relationship that has ended and the emotional debris and memories that are left behind. The song starts with the singer leaving their partner at the Sunday morning market, sifting through odds and ends. The lyrics suggest that the relationship may have been struggling financially, as the partner was looking for a bargain. The singer then hears the familiar footsteps of their partner, who has come back to them, but it is too late as the singer has had to learn for themselves how far they had to go.


The song then shifts focus to a societal issue, with the mention of trouble at the depot with the general workers union. The partner expresses skepticism that anything will change, while the singer remembers how their partner used to be their hero. However, the relationship has changed and the partner is now just a good friend, and the singer reflects on how far they have come, leaving their partner behind on the debris. The final lines suggest that the partner may have been dependent on the singer financially, leaving the listener wondering what would happen to them now that they are on their own.


Overall, Debris explores themes of love, loss, self-discovery, and societal issues. The lyrics are poignant and introspective, inviting the listener to reflect on their own experiences.


Line by Line Meaning

I left you on the debris
I abandoned you in a chaotic situation


At the Sunday morning market
At a place where people gather with the intention of buying and selling things


You were sorting through the odds and ends
You were looking through things that were not of great value


You was looking for a bargain
You were looking for something at a good price


I heard your footsteps at the front door
I became aware of your presence approaching my home


And that old familiar love song
The same song that reminded me of love


'Cause you knew you'd find me waiting there
You were confident I would be there waiting for you


At the top of the stairs
In a location at the highest point of a flight of steps


I went there and back
I made a journey back and forth


Just to see how far it was
To determine the distance of the journey


And you, you tried to tell me
You attempted to inform me


But I had to learn for myself
But I had to experience and understand it by myself


There's more trouble at the depot
There are additional issues at the place where goods are stored


With the general workers union
Due to a disagreement among the majority of employees


And you said, 'They'll never change a thing
And you expressed doubt in the possibility of progress or improvement


Well, they won't fight and they're not working'
Since the workforce is not putting up a resistance and is not fulfilling their obligations


Oh, you was my hero
You were someone who I greatly admired and looked up to


How you are my good friend
How you have become a close companion of mine


I've been there and back
I have made a round trip


And I know how far it is
I am aware of the distance that needs to be covered


But I left you on the debris
But I left you in a chaotic situation


Now we both know you got no money
Now both of us are aware that you have no funds


And I wonder what you would have done
And I am curious about what actions you would have taken


Without me hanging around
If I had not been present




Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: RON LANE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comments from YouTube:

@eugenecotes4987

I left you on the debris
At the Sunday morning market
You were sorting through the odds and ends
You was looking for a bargain
I heard your footsteps at the front door
And that old familiar love song
'Cause you knew you'd find me waiting there
At the top of the stairs
I went there and back
Just to see how far it was
And you, you tried to tell me
But I had to learn for myself
There's more trouble at the depot
With the general workers union
And you said, "They'll never change a thing
Well, they won't fight and they're not working"
Oh, you was my hero
How you are my good friend
I've been there and back
And I know how far it is
But I left you on the debris
Now we both know you got no money
And I wonder what you would have done
Without me hanging around



@nicolasdemassy4713

In french:

Débris

Je t'ai laissé sur les débris
Au marché du dimanche matin
Tu triais le broc du bric
Et tu ramenais ton butin

J'entendais tes pas à la porte d'entrée
Et tu chantais cette vieille chanson d'amour
Car tu savais que je serai assis de l'autre côté
En attendant ton retour

Je suis allé ici et là
Juste pour voir si c'était loin
Tu cherchais à me l'apprendre, papa
Mais c'est l'expérience qui nous rend certain

Il y a toujours pas mal de problèmes au turbin
Avec les représentants du syndicat
Et tu disais qu'ils ne changeraient jamais rien
Pourquoi se batteraient-ils s'ils ne travaillent pas

Tu étais mon héros, sais-tu !
Et maintenant, tu es un bon copain
Je suis parti et revenu
Et maintenant je sais que c'est loin

Et je t'ai laissé sur les ruines
Oh, nous savons tous deux que tu n'as pas d'oseille
Et je vois bien tu aurais une sale mine
Sans moi dans les parages qui veille



All comments from YouTube:

@keithbradley5243

This is my favourite song of all time. I bought the single 'Stay With Me' on vinyl back then. Got home, played the 'A' side couple of times, then, as you do flip to the 'B' side. I don't think I ever played the 'A' side again. What a marvellous song. Always a great fan of Ronnie Lane and still am at 63 years old. I play in a local band in the North East of England (Big hello to Core Music Hexham) and we still play this song every week. Great song, Great songwriter Ronnie Lane. A true legend.

@TheTk1971

Me too it's the faces at their very very best

@paulcowart3174

Such a soulful song Learned it right away but it's been years since I've played it but remember the structure Thinking it was in G but played it in E so I could do the bridge in C sharp minor and solo in that lovely E major mode On vacation now so going to relearn it when home Actually preferred Ronnie's voice to Rod's on the soul ballads

@Jlipnicki

It is a great song.

@rickdelvecchio3239

16 years old in upstate New York, 1971, played the album constantly and Debris stuck in the heart and is still with me. I think Ronnie Lane was a beautiful soul.

@Jlipnicki

@Rick DelVecchio From the same part of East London as I am, as was Steve Marriott.

2 More Replies...

@thomashermann2785

I visited Ronnie Lane’s gravesite in Trinidad, Colorado today to pay my respects. I played this song while there. RIP Ronnie Lane and thanks for all the great music.

@dalekidd8431

What a thoughtful, beautiful, person you are, may God bless you!!!☯️

@TheTrollMastah

Oh I didn’t know he was buried here in Colorado that’s cool

@terrykrall

wow! respect!

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