The Streets of Lahore
The Young'Uns Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When she gave her hand to the man of her dreams
but the streets of Lahore they knew where he'd been
and that he'd killed to marry Farzana Parveen
When they came to the High Court her family were there
And sticks stones and bricks they flew through the air
and the streets of Lahore stood silent and mean
The sun shone on the blood of Fareena Parmeen
on the hand of her father who stayed at the scene
and the streets of Lahore they knew the routine
that he killed to honour Farzeena Parmeen
I'll light one thousand candles beneath the cold moon
say 1, 000 prayers wishing that soon
the streets of Lahore will know what I mean
There's no honour in killing Farzana Parveen
There's no hanour in killing Farzana Parveen
There's no honour in killing
The Young'Uns' song "The Streets of Lahore" is a haunting tribute to the tragic story of Farzana Parveen, a young woman who was killed in a so-called "honor killing" in Pakistan in 2014. The song begins with a simple, almost idyllic scene of Farzana giving her hand in marriage to the man of her dreams. However, the next line immediately shatters this romantic image with the knowledge that the man had killed to win Farzana's hand. The streets of Lahore, where the murder took place, are personified as knowing witnesses to the crime.
The second verse describes the aftermath of the murder, with Farzana's family attacking her husband in a fit of rage. The streets of Lahore are characterized as "silent and mean" and even complicit in the murder, as they "smiled" at the violence. The third verse takes a more personal and gruesome turn, as the singer describes the sun shining on Farzana's blood and her father's hand, which he kept at the scene of the crime. The streets of Lahore are again personified as knowing the routine of honor killings, suggesting a culture of violence and patriarchal oppression.
The final verse is a hopeful plea for change, as the singer pledges to light a thousand candles and say a thousand prayers for the end of these senseless killings. The repetition of "there's no honor in killing Farzana Parveen" drives home the message that these killings have nothing to do with honor, but are instead a brutal manifestation of misogyny and patriarchal control.
Overall, "The Streets of Lahore" is a powerful and heartbreaking witness to the violence that women like Farzana Parveen face all too often, not just in Pakistan but around the world.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun shone on the face of Farzana Parveen
The day was beautiful when Farzana Parveen got married.
When she gave her hand to the man of her dreams
She was happy and excited to marry the man she loved.
but the streets of Lahore they knew where he'd been
The people in Lahore knew that the man had killed someone to marry Farzana.
and that he'd killed to marry Farzana Parveen
The man had committed murder to marry Farzana.
When they came to the High Court her family were there
Farzana's family was present in court.
And sticks stones and bricks they flew through the air
Her family was angry and threw objects in the court.
and the streets of Lahore stood silent and mean
The streets were quiet and emotionless even though a murder had taken place.
and smiled as they murdered Farzana Parmeen
The people in Lahore were happy and satisfied that Farzana got murdered.
The sun shone on the blood of Fareena Parmeen
The day was still beautiful, but marred by the blood of Farzana.
on the hand of her father who stayed at the scene
Farzana's father was present and involved in the murder.
and the streets of Lahore they knew the routine
The people of Lahore were aware of the cruel and unjust customs of honour killing.
that he killed to honour Farzeena Parmeen
Farzana's father killed her to 'preserve her honour'.
I'll light one thousand candles beneath the cold moon
The singer expresses his sadness and mourns Farzana's death.
say 1,000 prayers wishing that soon
The singer prays for justice and for the practice of honour killing to end.
the streets of Lahore will know what I mean
He hopes that people will understand that killing someone for the sake of honour is not justified.
There's no honour in killing Farzana Parveen
The singer emphasizes that killing someone is never honourable or justified.
Contributed by Evan B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Grummash
You lads have two songs that break my heart every time I listen to them...my problem is that I can't stop listening to them... I'll post the same comment on the other song
Grummash
Nigel Green the other one is... yes.
Nigel Green
Would that be be Be The Man?
M H
Heard this live at Underneath the Stars this year, and I'm pretty sure everyone was crying/about to. Amazing and moving.
Karl Browne
A powerful and moving song. Excellent work gentlemen.
Andy Cap
Such a beautiful song, which is so much more powerful than all the political rhetoric. Let's just hope those who can make a change listen and take note !
Mirek Walczak
:) good song boys... greetings from Poland, Gliwice
Skye
I'm a Muslim and I heard this song for the 1st time in a church. Prophet Muhammad was right about Muslims - they have abandoned the teaching of the Qur'an. Your song has strengthened my Islamic faith.
Nigel Green
Wow! There's no honour in killing....
Richard Roe
Awesome.