Death Of A Nation
Ian Hunter Lyrics


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I was having a drink with Prince Charles and the Queen
When Winston Churchill stepped into my dream
His head it was heavy, his voice was shakin'
He said, "Look what they've done: it's the death of a nation."

I followed his shadow right out of the bar
And we talked all night 'neath the light of the stars
He said, "This used to be a cradle of civilization
Now look what they've done: it's the death of a nation."

Everything's illusion now, nothing's what it seems
Money isn't everything when you're turning your back on a dream
I held you together when you were breakin'
You can pull down the flags; it's the death of a nation

Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And we'll never die, no, we'll never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And we'll never die, no, we will never die

From the bottom of this ancient heart
I hate to see you falling apart
'Cause I love you still, I love you still, I love you still

You've been getting away with it far too long
Your promises ain't worth the paper they're printed on
I had a love, but that love's been forsaken
Look what they've done: it's the death of a nation

Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And we'll never die, no, we'll never die
Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And we'll never die, no, we will never die

Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And I'll never die, no, I will never die




Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
And I'll never die, no, I will never die

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of "Death Of A Nation" by Ian Hunter have a clear political undertone. The singer in the song has a drink with Prince Charles and the Queen, but then Winston Churchill steps into his dream. Churchill's head is heavy, and his voice is shaky, as he proclaims the death of a nation. The two then talk all night as Churchill tells him how this used to be a cradle of civilization, but now everything has turned into illusion, and money isn't everything. The singer is torn between holding everything together and watching it all fall apart.


The song suggests a deep nostalgia for a time when there was more loyalty and when honour meant something. The song, however, seems to suggest that those values have been lost in the modern world. The use of Churchill, a revered statesman, underscores the sense of loss that the singer feels.


Overall, "Death Of A Nation" is a song that speaks to the disillusionment and nostalgia of the modern era. The song seems to suggest that we have lost sight of some of the more profound values that we once held, and that as a result, we are experiencing something like a "death of a nation."


Line by Line Meaning

I was having a drink with Prince Charles and the Queen
Ian Hunter had a dream where he was socializing with the British Royal Family


When Winston Churchill stepped into my dream
Ian Hunter imagined the former British Prime Minister in his dream


His head it was heavy, his voice was shakin'
In Ian Hunter's dream, Winston Churchill seemed troubled and nervous


He said, "Look what they've done: it's the death of a nation."
Churchill expressed to Ian Hunter his belief that the country was in great peril and close to collapsing


I followed his shadow right out of the bar
Ian Hunter pursued Churchill in his dream as he left the establishment


And we talked all night 'neath the light of the stars
Ian Hunter conversed with the former Prime Minister through the night


He said, "This used to be a cradle of civilization
Churchill remarked that the nation had once been a great and prosperous civilization


Now look what they've done: it's the death of a nation."
Churchill bemoaned the current state of affairs in the country and predicted its downfall


Everything's illusion now, nothing's what it seems
Ian Hunter laments the lack of authenticity and the prevalence of superficiality in modern society


Money isn't everything when you're turning your back on a dream
A warning that abandoning one's aspirations for financial gain isn't worth it in the end


I held you together when you were breakin'
Ian Hunter helped to keep things from falling apart in times of turmoil


You can pull down the flags; it's the death of a nation
Even the symbols of a country's identity can't save it from ruin


Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
A plea to hold out hope and not give up


And we'll never die, no, we'll never die
An optimistic outlook that the nation can survive even in its darkest hour


From the bottom of this ancient heart
An emotional expression of love and devotion to the nation


I hate to see you falling apart
Ian Hunter is distressed to see the nation in decline


'Cause I love you still, I love you still, I love you still
The love for the nation remains despite its troubles


You've been getting away with it far too long
A criticism of those who are responsible for the nation's problems


Your promises ain't worth the paper they're printed on
Distrust of the empty words of those in power


I had a love, but that love's been forsaken
The nation was once cherished but has now been abandoned by those who were supposed to care for it


And I'll never die, no, I will never die
Ian Hunter's belief that his love for the nation will never fade, even in the face of its demise


Don't say goodbye, don't say goodbye
A final call to action to preserve the nation and not give up hope




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Ian Hunter

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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