Pouring Rain
The Clash Lyrics


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(strummer)

I could see as I rode in
The ships were gone and the pit fell in (inaudible)
A funeral bell tolled the hour in
A lonely drunkard slumbering

Not even the twang of the guitar
Not even the siren wail of pain
Not even the shadows of desire
Caught in the pouring pouring rain

Breeze black windows on dead street
Where I was lived up on the cheap
(yeah, say!) Ask no questions, work and sleep
'til the old tango that's on date street

I can hear the sharpen of the pain
Some lucky stranger in the rain
Hear the shouting of the rain
Lucky stranger... in the rain!

Hammers beat in dusty times
On these weedy rusted lines
Mocking the sun and optimistic signs
All these weedy gates of iron

The sun won't shine my way again
My lucky moon was on the wane
Oh I never saw a star again
In the pouring pouring rain

A salty band played in the train
A sad trombone and some refrain
The future pointed to the weather vane
The old calypso died of shame

I hear the shouting of the pain
Some lucky stranger in the rain
Hear the shouting of the pain
Lucky stranger - pouring rain





Pouring rain!

Overall Meaning

The Clash's song "Pouring Rain" is a melancholic and introspective track that blends the punk energy and spirit of the band with a more experimental and atmospheric sound. The lyrics depict a dark and rainy urban landscape, where the singer wanders aimlessly through empty streets and dilapidated buildings, haunted by memories of loss, despair, and loneliness.


As the song begins, the singer describes a scene of devastation, as he sees ships leaving and pits falling in, perhaps a metaphor for the collapse of industrial or economic structures. The funeral bell tolling in the distance adds to the sense of desolation and hopelessness. The second verse focuses on the singer's own situation, as he lives in a rundown and anonymous neighborhood, working hard and keeping his head down. He hears the sharpen of pain and the shouting of the rain, but he feels disconnected and numb, unable to feel any emotions or desires.


The third verse introduces a hint of hope or redemption, as the singer hears a band playing on a train, and the future is pointed to the weather vane. However, the old calypso died of shame, implying that the traditional forms of music and culture are fading away or being replaced by something less authentic. The final chorus repeats the refrain of "pouring rain", emphasizing the pervasive and overwhelming nature of the depression and disillusionment that the song expresses.


Line by Line Meaning

I could see as I rode in
As I rode in, I observed my surroundings


The ships were gone and the pit fell in (inaudible)
The ships had disappeared, and the pit had caved in


A funeral bell tolled the hour in
I heard the sound of a funeral bell tolling the hour


A lonely drunkard slumbering
A solitary drunk was sleeping


Not even the twang of the guitar
No sounds of music were audible


Not even the siren wail of pain
No sounds of people suffering were heard


Not even the shadows of desire
No signs of wanting or yearning were present


Caught in the pouring pouring rain
Trapped in heavy rainfall


Breeze black windows on dead street
Windows on the street were dark and without air


Where I was lived up on the cheap
Where I lived was a low-cost option


(yeah, say!) Ask no questions, work and sleep
It was required of me to work and sleep without question


'til the old tango that's on date street
Until the tango on Date Street is outdated


I can hear the sharpen of the pain
I can hear the sharpness of the pain


Some lucky stranger in the rain
An unknown person is experiencing this pain


Hear the shouting of the rain
The rain is making a loud noise


Lucky stranger... in the rain!
The unknown person is fortunate to be in the rain


Hammers beat in dusty times
In dusty times, hammers were heard pounding


On these weedy rusted lines
On these rusty, thin lines


Mocking the sun and optimistic signs
Disagreeing with the sun and hopeful signs


All these weedy gates of iron
All of these fragile iron gates


The sun won't shine my way again
The sun won't shine in my direction again


My lucky moon was on the wane
My fortunate and auspicious circumstance was declining


Oh I never saw a star again
I had not seen any stars for some time


In the pouring pouring rain
Experiencing heavy rainfall


A salty band played in the train
A band played on the train, and a salty taste was present


A sad trombone and some refrain
A depressing trombone and verses were played


The future pointed to the weather vane
The future could be predicted based on weather patterns


The old calypso died of shame
Old calypso music was disregarded


Lucky stranger - pouring rain
An unknown person is fortunate to be caught in heavy rain


Pouring rain!
Heavy rainfall!




Contributed by Aiden D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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Comments from YouTube:

@Scott_M23

I’m convinced no one actually dislikes post mick Jones clash. People are just afraid of saying it because the back lash they will receive. The live versions of all the MK2 songs in good quality are just as good as any Sandinista song.

@BadLuckLuke

...The Clash Mark II had some great songs like "North & South" and this one, plus they were a pretty cool live act ! ! !

@clash5j

It's been said before, but I'll say it again. There were some quality Clash songs written post Mick, but they were either left off Cut the Crap or recorded in such a way as to make them almost unrecognizable from how they were performed live

@deerhunter2218

Clash5j I disagree mate, when Michael got sacked the whole rhythm left the band, he and Johnny were great partners in lyrics and in the music itself, it was a shame they parted but great to see them at the charity gig for the firemen/women πŸ‘πŸ‘πŸ‘

@williamlynd3052

Official live version is on the "Future is Unwritten" soundtrack. Studio versions are also included in the new Joe Strummer "001" boxed set.

@bertanderson2548

I was at that show in Seattle in 1984. My buddy and I had a great time.

@mustlovepretzels

Born on this day(August 21) John Graham Mellor aka Joe Strummer. R.I.P. Joe.

@michaelboyle2316

Great track, good sound

@DugyD97

Wish they recorded this in studio would of been good to hear it in crisp quality, but still brilliant raw :D

@mustlovepretzels

They did. Someone had posted it but obviously it was taken down.

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