Gaia
James Taylor Lyrics

The sky was light and the land all dark
It was early morning and the sun was just rising over the city while the rest of the world was still in darkness.

The sun rose up over Central Park
The sun was visible above Central Park as it continued to rise into the sky.

I was walking home from work, Gaia
The singer was walking home from work, reflecting on the beauty of nature around them.

The petal sky and the rosy dawn
The sky was a mix of pink and orange colors, like the petals of a flower, as the sun began to rise.

The world turning on the burning sun
The world revolves around the sun, which provides the light and warmth necessary for life.

Sacred wet green one we live on, Gaia
The Earth is our sacred, damp, green home, which provides everything we need to live.

Run, run, run, run said the automobile
Automobiles promote a fast-paced, consumeristic lifestyle that encourages rapid, unsustainable consumption and waste.

And it ran, run for your life, take to your heels
People are encouraged to keep up with the fast pace of modern life, often at the expense of their own well-being or the environment.

Foolish school of fish on wheels, Gaia, Gaia
Humans running on cars seem like fish who are part of a school moving together in a frenzied way, and often end up harming their own environment.

Turn away from your animal kind
Humans are often selfish and have a tendency to mistreat the environment and animals.

Try to leave your body just to live in your mind
People often ignore their physical surroundings and become lost in their thoughts, leading to neglect of the physical world.

Leave your cold cruel mother earth behind, Gaia
The Earth is not a harsh, inanimate object to be ignored or mistreated, but rather a nurturing, living entity that deserves to be treated with care.

As if you were your own creation
Humans often act as if they have unlimited power over nature, forgetting that they are but one small part of the larger ecosystem.

As if you were the chosen nation
Humans have a tendency to believe they are entitled to exploit nature for their own purposes, without regard for the consequences.

The world around you, just a rude and dangerous invasion, Gaia, Gaia, Gaia
Humans have been harsh and dangerous to the environment they are a part of.

Someone's got to stop us now, save us from us Gaia, no one's gonna stop us now
We continue to be reckless with the resources we have and no one seems to be stopping us.

We thought we ought to walk awhile, So we left that town in a single file
The artist is leading a group of people who are escaping the modern city to reflect on the beauty around them.

Up and up and up, mile after mile after mile
The group continues to hike upwards, slowly leaving behind the city and civilization.

We reached the tree line and I dropped my pack, Sat down on my haunches and I looked back Down over the mountain, Helpless and speechless and breathless, Gaia
The singer is overwhelmed by the beauty of nature around them, feeling an immense connection to the Earth.

Pray for the forest pray for the tree, Pray for the fish in the deep blue sea
Humans should pray and hope for the well-being of all natural elements around them.

Pray for yourself and for God's sake, Say one for me, poor wretched unbeliever
The artist, questioning their faith, implores others to pray for themselves and for him as he seeks to better understand his spiritual connection to the Earth.

Someone's got to stop us now, Save us from us Gaia, No one's gonna stop us now
Humans continue to abuse the environment, but without action or intervention, the consequences may be catastrophic.