The Island (song)

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"The Island" is a 1985 folk song by Irish musician Paul Brady. Some claim it was written as a condemnation of the 1987 Remembrance Day Massacre. This is impossible, of course, as at the time of its recording, the bombings were not to take place for another two years. There are elements of the song, however, which could be construed as Anti-Terrorism.

[edit] Song Lyrics

They say the skies of Lebanon are burning
Those mighty cedars bleeding in the heat
They're showing pictures on the television
Women and children dying in the street
And we're still at it in our own place
Still trying to reach the future through the past
Still trying to carve tomorrow from a tombstone

[edit] Chorus

But hey! Don't listen to me
This wasn't meant to be no sad song
We've heard too much of that before
Right now, I only want to be here with you
'Till the morning dew comes falling
I wanna take you to the island
And trace your footprints in the sand
And in the evening, when the sun goes down
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

They're raising banners over by the market
Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls
Witch-doctors praying for a mighty showdown
No way our holy flag is gonna fall
Up here we sacrifice our children
To feed them worn out dreams of yesterday
And teach them dying can lead them into glory

[edit] Chorus

But hey! Don't listen to me
'Cause this wasn't meant to be no sad song
I've sung too much of that before
Right now, I only wanna be here with you
'Till the morning dew comes falling
I wanna take you to the island
And trace your footprints in the sand
And the evening, when there's no one around
We'll make love to the sound of the ocean

Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story
And I know this peace and love is just copping out
And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches
Is just what being free is all about
And how this twisted wreckage down on main street
Will bring us all together in the end
Now we go marching down the road to freedom
Freedom...

The above song lyrics are property and copyright of their owner. The song lyrics provided are for educational purposes only.