I Turned My Face Into The Wind
Strawbs Lyrics


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I wandered far onto the lonely moors
Sparse coarse tufts of grass reached out to trip me
And above my head the leaden clouds hung low
As I turned my face into the wind

I huddled close against a tumbling wall
Wrapped in a cloak to shield me from the bitter cold
The solitude weighed heavy on my mind
As I turned my face into the wind

The mist rolled down across the countryside
I thought I heard the coastal sirens sound
As I turned my face into the wind

I tried to peer into the deepening gloom
To glimpse a lighted window in the distance
But just too far to penetrate the rain
And I turned my face into the wind

And yet somehow I sensed her presence near
And tufts of sheeps-wool hanging from a gorse bush




Were as though her hands were beckoning me home
And I turned my face into the wind

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Strawbs's song I Turned My Face Into The Wind depict a person wandering through a desolate and isolated terrain, battling the harshness of the environment. The scenery is set on a lonely moor with the sky above clouded and the grass below sparse and rough, appearing to trip our protagonist. Despite the extreme conditions, the singer's demeanor is resolute as they resolutely turn their head against the wind, showing an inner strength and determination to face whatever life throws their way.


The singer seeks refuge against a collapsing wall, trying to maintain some heat in their body through their cloak in the face of the cold. However, the feeling of being isolated starts to overwhelm them as they ponder over their solitude. The weather worsens, and the mist starts settling over the surroundings, causing the singer to hear coastal sirens blaring, increasing their tension. Yet, despite the increasing gloom, the singer continues on, determined to find their way and refusing to let the environment defeat them.


The lyrics turn optimistic when the singer senses the presence of someone dear, represented by the tufts of wool hanging on to a gorse bush as if to beckon them home. This person gives the singer the strength they need to carry on with their journey, proving that hope can be found in the most hopeless of circumstances. The song speaks of perseverance, resilience and hope in the face of adversity, making it a powerful and inspiring song.


Line by Line Meaning

I wandered far onto the lonely moors
I walked a long way onto the deserted hills


Sparse coarse tufts of grass reached out to trip me
Only a few rough clumps of grass tried to make me stumble


And above my head the leaden clouds hung low
The heavy skies were close to my head


As I turned my face into the wind
I faced the wind with my face


I huddled close against a tumbling wall
I sought refuge near a tumbling wall


Wrapped in a cloak to shield me from the bitter cold
Wrapped in a cloak for protection against the harsh cold


The solitude weighed heavy on my mind
I felt weighed down by the loneliness


As I turned my face into the wind
I braved the wind with my face


The mist rolled down across the countryside
The fog fell over the land


I thought I heard the coastal sirens sound
I might have heard the calls of the lighthouse


As I turned my face into the wind
I faced the wind with my face


I tried to peer into the deepening gloom
I attempted to see through the growing darkness


To glimpse a lighted window in the distance
To catch sight of a lit window far away


But just too far to penetrate the rain
But too far to see through the rain


And I turned my face into the wind
I faced the wind with my face


And yet somehow I sensed her presence near
But I could still feel her being close to me


And tufts of sheeps-wool hanging from a gorse bush
And pieces of sheep's wool hanging from a gorse bush


Were as though her hands were beckoning me home
Seemed like she was calling me back home


And I turned my face into the wind
I bravely faced the wind with my face




Contributed by Brayden B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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