On the Turning Away Lyrics
[Verse 1]
On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won’t understand
“Don’t accept that what’s happening
Is just a case of all the suffering
Or you’ll find that you’re joining in
The turning away”
[Verse 2]
It’s a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting its shroud
Over all, we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we’re all alone
In the dream of the proud
[Verse 3]
On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord
Using words you will find are strange
Mesmerized as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night
On the turning away
From the pale and downtrodden
And the words they say
Which we won’t understand
“Don’t accept that what’s happening
Is just a case of all the suffering
Or you’ll find that you’re joining in
The turning away”
[Verse 2]
It’s a sin that somehow
Light is changing to shadow
And casting its shroud
Over all, we have known
Unaware how the ranks have grown
Driven on by a heart of stone
We could find that we’re all alone
In the dream of the proud
[Verse 3]
On the wings of the night
As the daytime is stirring
Where the speechless unite
In a silent accord
Using words you will find are strange
Mesmerized as they light the flame
Feel the new wind of change
On the wings of the night
About
Genius Annotation
This is about how people turn away from the “weak and the weary”, despite the fact that suffering is such a big problem in the world.
David Gilmour (Only Music, December 1987): “‘Turning Away’ is about the political situations in the world. We have these rather right-wing conservative governments that don’t seem to care about many things other than looking after themselves.”
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Credits
Producers
Writers
Sound Engineer
Backing Vocals
Drums
Bass Guitar
Keyboards
Electric Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Vocals
Recorded At
Astoria, Hampton, England; Mayfair Studios, Primrose Hill, Camden, England; Britannia Row Studios, Islington, England; Audio International Studios, London, England; A&M Studios, Hollywood, CA; The Village, Los Angeles, CA; Can-Am Recorders, Tarzana, CA
Release Date
September 7, 1987
On the Turning Away Remixes
On the Turning Away Live Performances
On the Turning Away Translations
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