Lines Written In Dejection

Song Meaning

The lyrics open with a profound sense of longing, as the speaker questions when they last saw the vibrant, mythical creatures of the moon. This past was clearly a time of wonder, populated by "dark leopards" and "wild witches." Now, however, these powerful, magical presences are unequivocally "gone." The central tension arises from the stark contrast between this rich, fantastical past and the speaker's present reality. The moon's enchanting inhabitants, including "holy centaurs," have been "banished," leaving behind a singular, harsh truth. The speaker laments having "nothing but harsh sun," a direct and unpleasant replacement for the lost magic. The craft here is particularly effective in its personification of the celestial bodies. The moon is remembered as a "Heroic mother," suggesting a source of comfort, power, and perhaps even inspiration that has now "vanished." This loss is underscored by the sun's shifting description, first "harsh" and then, more resignedly, "timid," implying a diminished, less vital world. Ultimately, the lyrics ground this cosmic sense of loss in a deeply personal reflection on aging. The speaker reveals, "now that I have come to fifty years," that this dejection is tied to a specific point in life. The mythical banishment transforms into a poignant lament for the fading of wonder and vitality, leaving only a quiet, inescapable present that the speaker "must endure."