Babylon Fading
The Doors Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Then we hear a whistle like a bison's pipe
And the carnival immediately begins
Gradually mixing rain,
Thunder
Bullfight
Football
Playground
War
Penny-arcade




Babylon Fading...

Overall Meaning

The Doors' song "Babylon Fading" is a powerful piece of imagery-driven poetry that leaves the interpretation up to the listener. The opening line describes a whistle that sounds like a bison's pipe, which sets the tone for the wild and untamed nature of what is to follow. The mention of a carnival immediately invokes the idea of excitement and chaos. The blending and mixing of various elements, such as rain, thunder, bullfight, football, playground, war, and penny-arcade, creates a surreal and dreamlike atmosphere. This sequence of images suggests a universal truth - that life is a tumultuous journey, and we encounter different emotions and experiences along the way.


The title "Babylon Fading" could be interpreted in different ways. It could refer to the ancient city of Babylon, which represents decadence, power, and wealth. The idea of Babylon fading could signify the destruction of these values, or the loss of something once considered valuable. Alternatively, it could refer to the feeling of fading away or losing oneself in the midst of the chaos of life. The song's lyrics are intentionally abstract, allowing each listener to interpret them based on their own experiences and emotions.


Overall, "Babylon Fading" by The Doors is a thought-provoking and evocative piece of music that explores the themes of life, chaos, and mortality.


Line by Line Meaning

Then we hear a whistle like a bison's pipe
Suddenly, a unique sound alerts us, similar to the noise made by the bison's pipe – indicating that something is about to happen.


And the carnival immediately begins
An exhilarating and fun spectacle instantly unfolds before our eyes.


Gradually mixing rain,
The rain sets the mood and begins to mix into the events taking place at the carnival.


Thunder
The loud roar of thunder adds to the excitement of the carnival atmosphere.


Bullfight
We witness a traditional Spanish sport, where a bull is set up against a human challenger.


Football
A game of football takes place, creating a sense of competition and intensity amongst the crowd.


Playground
The setting shifts to a playful atmosphere, where children are having fun on a playground.


War
We are given a glimpse of the harsh reality of war – a somber contrast to the merriment of the carnival.


Penny-arcade
We see the classic arcade game, penny-arcade – a symbol of old-fashioned entertainment.


Babylon Fading...
The song ends with the phrase 'Babylon Fading' – signifying the fall of the great Babylonian empire, and the end of an era.




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