☝️ Key Points
- The song is about change and transformation
- There is a scene where someone sees a woman torn between Jupiter and Apollo
- The lyrics contain references to mirrors, a palace of mirrors, and angelic voices
- At the end of the song, someone speaks about accepting change and striving for freedom
Interpretation
The lyrics of the song 'Changing of the Guards' by
Patti Smith is a cover version of a song by Bob Dylan. The text is poetic and metaphorical and can be interpreted in various ways.
The song is about change and transformation. It speaks of a world in flux, where people are desperate and spread their wings under falling leaves. It tells the story of a person who steps out of the shadow and goes into the market, where merchants and thieves hunger for power. There also seems to be a love story, where the captain waits for his beloved maid, whom he cannot reach.
There is also a scene where someone sees a woman torn between Jupiter and Apollo. She is visited by someone with a black nightingale messenger. The singer follows her and sees her lifting the veil. It seems that she is undergoing some kind of change or transformation.
The text also contains references to mirrors, a palace of mirrors where soldiers are reflected, empty rooms where memories are preserved, and angelic voices whispering in times past.
At the end of the song, someone says that they don't need the organization of others and that they have the strength to accept change. They speak of peace that will come but brings no reward when false idols fall and death withdraws.
So, the lyrics of the song 'Changing of the Guards' are a multi-layered piece that speaks of change, love, transformation, and the pursuit of freedom. It is a text that provokes thought and allows for personal interpretation.