The band was dissolved in 1974.
Gravy Train (no exclamation marks) should NOT be mixed up with the band Gravy Train!!!!.
Fields and Factories
Gravy Train Lyrics
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In the gardens, trees are barren of their fruits
Bathed in sunshine, peasants toil, their labor showing
In the glory of the ever-healing roots
Well, I'm feeling
That it's all right, now!
Yes, I'm feeling
Anyway...
On the land, 'neath a million rays of sunshine
Stands the secret of the mirror-colored (?) life
Lying peacefully, the soil in all the sunshine
Lend its strength to the simplicity of life
Well, I'm feeling
That it's all right, now!
Yes, I'm feeling
It's all right...now!
Anyway...
A simple symphony, a tale without an ending
But the beauty of that spirit couldn't last
Revolution bred machineries of power
Could revolution turn the tide back to the past?
Well, I'm feeling
That it's all right, now!
Yes, I'm feeling
It's all right...now!
Anyway...
I see a giant hand descending from above my head
And suddenly, there's factories for rent, now you're dead
A man is just a number on a perforated card
Your personality is lost, is this a just reward?
Revolution, revolution
A man who's sucking all your blood will work you very hard
In the news, they're wasting (?), toiling for a crust of bread
Only hoping that their children now will all be fed
The factory mole of today is ever wanted more
Deep inside, his greedy hand is like a clutching claw
Revolution, revolution
Has the one reward he should be working for been lost?
A simple symphony, a tale without an ending
But the beauty of that spirit couldn't last
Revolution bred machineries of power
Could revolution turn the tide back to the past?
Well, I'm feeling
That it's all right, now!
Yes, I'm feeling
It's all right...now!
Anyway...
The lyrics to Gravy Train's Fields and Factories depict a contrast between the simplicity of rural life, represented by the "hills" and the "gardens," and the harsh reality of industrialization, represented by the "factories." The first stanza paints a serene picture of the countryside, with peasants working diligently and the corn growing swiftly. The second stanza mentions the secret to the "mirror-colored" life, which could refer to the reflection of the sky in a body of water or could be a metaphor for the natural beauty of the landscape. The lyrics suggest that this simplicity is threatened by the invasion of industry, as represented by the "giant hand descending from above."
The final stanza questions whether the revolution that led to industrialization was worth the cost, as workers are depicted as being reduced to mere numbers on a perforated card and their personalities lost. The "factory mole of today" is driven by greed and a "clutching claw." The conclusion poses the question of whether it is possible to turn the tide back to a simpler time.
The song is a reflection of the prevalent concerns during the 1960s and 1970s, when social upheaval and the rise of industry were reshaping societies around the world. It is a call for reflection on the values that guide the progress of society and on the cost of industrialization.
Line by Line Meaning
On the hills, I see the corn is swiftly growing
Observing the growth of corn on the hills.
In the gardens, trees are barren of their fruits
Noticing fruitless trees in the gardens.
Bathed in sunshine, peasants toil, their labor showing
Peasants working hard in the sun and showing the results of their labor.
In the glory of the ever-healing roots
The roots of the plants and crops providing continuous growth and healing.
Well, I'm feeling
Expressing a feeling or emotion.
That it's all right, now!
Feeling content or satisfied with the current situation.
Yes, I'm feeling
Reiterating the previous feeling or emotion.
It's all right...now!
Continuing to express contentment or satisfaction.
Anyway...
Transitioning to a new thought or idea.
On the land, 'neath a million rays of sunshine
Noticing the numerous rays of sunshine on the land.
Stands the secret of the mirror-colored (?) life
The mystery or essence of life on Earth is present in the landscape.
Lying peacefully, the soil in all the sunshine
The ground and soil resting peacefully in the sunlight.
Lend its strength to the simplicity of life
The simple process of nature and growth is strengthened by the earth and sun coming together.
A simple symphony, a tale without an ending
Nature and life are represented as simple yet complex, and without a clear end.
But the beauty of that spirit couldn't last
The beauty and magic of nature and life is fleeting and temporary.
Revolution bred machineries of power
The revolution or progress caused the development of powerful machinery.
Could revolution turn the tide back to the past?
Questioning if the revolution could bring things back to the way they were before the machinery.
I see a giant hand descending from above my head
A metaphorical giant hand representing the arrival of powerful institutions or industries.
And suddenly, there's factories for rent, now you're dead
Factories and other industrial institutions representing death or destruction of traditional ways of living and working.
A man is just a number on a perforated card
Workers are reduced to numbers and statistics in the industrial system.
Your personality is lost, is this a just reward?
Questioning if the loss of individuality and personality in the industrial system is a fair or just consequence.
In the news, they're wasting (?), toiling for a crust of bread
People in the news are working hard for very little in return, just enough to survive.
Only hoping that their children now will all be fed
Parents hoping their children can have a better life and future than they do under the industrial system.
The factory mole of today is ever wanted more
The current workers in industrial institutions are continually desired for their labor.
Deep inside, his greedy hand is like a clutching claw
The greed and ruthless nature of the industrial institutions is deeply entrenched and hard to escape.
Has the one reward he should be working for been lost?
Questioning if the true rewards and values of work have been overshadowed by the greed and power of the industrial system.
Contributed by David N. Suggest a correction in the comments below.