Secret Side - BBC Peel Session 1971

Song Meaning

These lyrics open with a stark, unsettling image: "Unwed virgins in the land, tied upon the sand." It's a scene of profound vulnerability and constraint, suggesting a ritualistic waiting. The arrival of "ships into the land" hints at an impending, external force set to alter their fate. Yet, the narrative takes a surprising turn as these figures are said to be "awaiting reverence at their children's hands." This unexpected future expectation of honor, specifically from future generations, creates a powerful tension. It suggests a long-term consequence or a future justification for their current, seemingly helpless state, implying a hidden purpose behind their predicament. The second stanza abruptly shifts perspective, directly challenging an unseen listener: "Are you not on the secret side?" This line introduces an element of clandestine knowledge or allegiance, hinting at a hidden agenda or a morally ambiguous choice. The provocative question, "Is not the crime a gain to you?" further deepens the mystery, suggesting complicity or benefit derived from wrongdoing, forcing the listener to grapple with the ethics of the situation. The entire two-stanza structure repeats, amplifying the urgency and inescapable nature of these questions and images. This repetition doesn't just reinforce; it insists, making the central dilemma feel like an unresolved riddle. The lyrics effectively use stark contrasts and direct interrogation to create a compelling sense of unease and moral complexity, leaving the listener to ponder the true cost and reward of being on that "secret side."