“I used to dream about destruction, But now that I feel it getting near, I spend my time watching the ocean, And waves are all I want to hear”

song ~ “North Winds Blowing” 
artist ~ The Stranglers  

I saw an orange robe burning
I saw a youth on fire
I saw metal machines that were turning
On a generation that hadn't yet tired

I heard of two generations being murdered
In a Europe that was shrouded in black
I witnessed the birth pains of new nations
When the chosen people finally went back

North winds blowing
I wish it would blow all away
North winds blowing
I wish they would blow all away

I saw freedom in the shape of disease
And mainly men had to quench their desire
And while a few could do just as they pleased
I saw kids whose bellies were all on fire

When all is dead and war is over
When hollow victory has been won
Who will join in the celebration
Of the evil that just can't be undone?

North winds blowing
I wish it would blow all away
North winds blowing
I wish they would blow all away

I used to dream about destruction
But now that I feel it getting near
I spend my time watching the ocean
And waves are all I want to hear

I wish I was a believer
I'd spend less time in being sad
So many laws against disbelieving
Don't know who's good or who's bad

North winds blowing (repeat)     _{(Image source)}

Comments 

This evocative anti-war song was released in the 1980s – a relatively peaceful era. At that time, this track was a bit unnerving. Today, it rings even truer than it did back then.

Death and hunger

The lyrics take a sober look back at the horrors unleashed when “two generations [were] murdered in a Europe that was shrouded in black.”  Moreover, they take a cold, hard glance at ongoing inequality, particularly when certain men (including the masters of war) can do as they please, while children whose bellies are “all on fire”  go hungry.   

As it implies, the best result of any war is nothing more than “hollow victory.” 

Listening to waves

The only bright point of the song is when the lyricist realizes that all he wants is peace. Even the simple peace of nature is enough to keep him happy.

He wants anything but war. Anything but the inhuman and inhumane destruction wrought by war and violence.   

Peace. Let’s all strive for peace.
We can start by listening to the waves.      _{(Image source)}
The Stranglers – "North Winds Blowing"  _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
Lyrics by J. Black / H. Cornwell / J. Jacques Burnel / D. Greenfield, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com

This is my entry in the 60-Day Lyrics Challenge.
Click here to learn about @SteemitCentral’s – Lyrics Challenge.