Roads to Moscow

Al Stewart's 'Roads to Moscow' is a poignant narrative that captures the harrowing experiences of a soldier during World War II, specifically on the Eastern Front. The song begins with the invasion of the Soviet Union by Nazi Germany, describing the initial chaos and destruction as planes are obliterated on the ground and soldiers await orders that never come. The imagery of moving through shadows and slipping away through trees evokes a sense of stealth and survival, highlighting the soldier's constant struggle to stay alive amidst the turmoil.

As the seasons change, the song chronicles the relentless advance of German forces through Ukraine and towards Moscow. The mention of General Guderian and the comparison to Napoleon's ill-fated campaign underscore the historical context and the cyclical nature of war. The harsh winter, with its mud and snow, becomes a formidable adversary, slowing down the German tanks and providing a glimmer of hope for the Soviet defenders. The soldier's perspective is filled with vivid descriptions of fire and smoke, symbolizing the destruction and chaos that surround him.

The latter part of the song shifts to the eventual Soviet counteroffensive, with the soldier witnessing the burning wreckage of German Tigers and the advance towards Berlin. The sense of impending victory is tempered by the personal toll of the war, as the soldier reflects on the years spent fighting and the fleeting hope of returning home. The final verses reveal a twist of fate, as the soldier is captured and taken deep into Russia, facing an uncertain future. The song ends on a somber note, with the realization that the war's end does not guarantee a return to normalcy, and the vast, unyielding Russian landscape serves as a metaphor for the soldier's enduring sense of displacement and loss.