Turn To Stone
Joe Walsh & the James Gang Lyrics
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Hey now the well run dry
Pages of the book on fire
Read the writing ...on the wall...
Hoedown, say showdown
Everywhere you look
And you know its getting stronger,
It can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
(Break/Short Solo 1)
Well there's a change in the wind
You know the signs don't lie
Such a strange feeling and I don't know why
Its takin'... such a long time ...
Backyard people and they work all day
Tired of the speeches
And the way the reasons they keep changin'...
Just to make the Words Rhyme...
And you know its getting stronger,
Can't fake 'em out much longer
Turn to stone
(Solo 2)
And you know its getting stronger,
It can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
(Quiet Break)
(Break/Solo 3 to end)
The lyrics to Joe Walsh & the James Gang's song Turn To Stone appear to be about societal and political unrest. The opening line, "Hey now the well run dry," suggests that resources are becoming scarce and that the situation is becoming dire. The following line, "Pages of the book on fire," implies that knowledge and information are being destroyed or ignored.
The chorus, "And you know it's getting stronger, it can't last very much longer, turn to stone" seemingly speaks to the idea that society is reaching a breaking point and that it will eventually "turn to stone" or become stagnant and unchanging.
The verses describe the constant conflict and turmoil that people are facing while trying to make sense of a changing world. It seems to suggest that people are growing tired of empty rhetoric and false promises from their leaders, and instead yearn for a more truthful and stable society. The repeated refrain of "Turn to stone" reflects the sense of powerlessness that people might feel in the face of rapidly changing circumstances that are beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey now the well run dry
Resources are depleted
Pages of the book on fire
Knowledge and history are at risk of being lost
Read the writing ...on the wall...
A clear warning or sign of danger is present
Hoedown, say showdown
Conflict is brewing
Everywhere you look, they're fighting...
Tension and hostility are widespread
Hear the call...
The impending confrontation is imminent
And you know its getting stronger,
The situation is intensifying
It can't last very much longer
The boiling point is close at hand
Turn to stone
Become numb and unfeeling to protect oneself
Well there's a change in the wind
A shift in the prevailing attitude or mood is noticeable
You know the signs don't lie
The hints of impending conflict are accurate
Such a strange feeling and I don't know why
A perplexing sensation of unease and uncertainty is present
Its takin'... such a long time ...
Progress and resolution are slow to come
Backyard people and they work all day
The hardworking common people are affected by the conflict
Tired of the speeches
Empty rhetoric is no longer effective
And the way the reasons they keep changin'...
The justifications for conflict keep shifting to suit the needs of those in power
Just to make the Words Rhyme...
The explanations are becoming more nonsensical and insincere
And you know its getting stronger,
Tension continues to build
Can't fake 'em out much longer
Attempting to deceive others will no longer work
Turn to stone
Protect oneself by shutting down emotionally
(Quiet Break)
Moment of reflection
(Break/Solo 3 to end)
Instrumental finale
Contributed by Isaac J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mcusa77
Hey now, the well run dry
Pages of your book on fire
Read the writing
On the wall
Hoe down, it's a show-down
Ev'rywhere you look, we're fighting
Hear the call
And you know it's gettin' stronger
I can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
Well there's a change in the wind
You know the signs don't lie
Such a strange feelin'
And I don't know why it's takin'
Such a long time
Backyard people
And they work all day
Tired of the speeches and the way
That the reasons keep changin'
Just to make the words rhyme
And you know it's gettin' stronger
Can't make 'em run much longer
Turn to stone
@theBaron0530
Fans probably don't need 'em, but for the younger ones, here are the lyrics:
Hey now the well run dry
Pages of the book on fire
Read the writing ...on the wall...
Hoedown, say showdown
Everywhere you look
they're fighting...Hear the call...
And you know its getting stronger,
It can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
Well there's a change in the wind
You know the signs don't lie
Such a strange feeling and I don't know why
Its takin'... such a long time ...
Backyard people and they work all day
Tired of the speeches
And the way the reasons they keep changin'...
Just to make the Words Rhyme...
And you know its getting stronger,
Can't fake 'em out much longer
Turn to stone
And you know its getting stronger,
It can't last very much longer
Turn to stone
@nicolebarber7693
Meant to.
I used to sing to this song and decade's later this still resonates to me.
I love joe walsh and he is my ultimate favourite musician.
I'm starting to write songs again and noone will steal them older wiser.
Joe gives me the will to never give up.
I'm swedish and Scottish second and third generation in Australia.
My hope is to write in the not to distant future with my favourite composers.
All the best to everybody who loves Joe Walsh.
Tak jege fra Nicky.
Nicky from the central coast of new south Wales australia
@375GTB
1976 year, camera repair school in Englewood, CO…
All a bunch of Freaks…
Mrs.Thorne's rooming house with more…
Jerry Lightfoot, a cousin of Gordon…
A gigantic Bong...
Weekends at Roy Romers Ranch, with my lady friend..
Climbing Mt. Rosalee…. 14,200 ft..
A cousin get lost on the way down…
A drive to Cripple Creek and then Pueblo..
On the old RR beds and tunnels..
Turquoise in the dirt streets…
Bullet holes in the walls..
From a miners strike..
Soundtrack by The Eagles, Joe Walsh and Jackson Browne….
And Gordon's Edmund Fitzgerald, from Jerry's signed collection..
Red Rocks Park with my Dulcimer….
Natural amplification…
A guitarist, whose name I WON'T drop, came and sat in for a bit…
Not another soul….. but God…
The best year of my life to that point…
Then of the Chicago to repair cameras..
And meet the love of my life…
I wouldn't change a minute of it…
@johnshuler8688
The volume doesn’t ever go high enough for this song! The anthem of my youth.
@kan12345ify
YES!!
@ruthar1578
Thats accurate. Fuckin A.
@rcgesq
This man speaks the truth.
@jeanhammond1363
@@ruthar1578 He was amazing in James Gang.. saw them at Kent State...
@ras124
How old are you? 20?
@patrickwalsh2361
Joe Walsh is not only one of the best guitarists of all time, but he’s also my favorite cousin!😉
@underdog4255
yeah, just from checking out his interviews he comes across like he's a hoot to hang out with on a day to day basis. Aside from being a great and talented musician, he shines like a great man and person indeed. Cheers!!
@kdevinturner8778
Bet he never wore a mask during whoopy coovie. A real man.
@D...M...A...
@@kdevinturner8778 Wrong assmunch , ignorant much ?