Look Away

Big Country's song 'Look Away' delves into themes of escape, inner conflict, and the struggle for redemption. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a protagonist who is on the run, both physically and emotionally. The opening lines, 'This time we run / This time we hide,' set the tone for a narrative of evasion and concealment. The protagonist is seeking a place to 'wipe away the madness,' indicating a desire to escape from a troubled past or a chaotic present.

The chorus, 'Look away, look away / Hide your eyes from the land where I lie cold,' suggests a deep sense of regret and a plea for others to turn a blind eye to his past actions. The repetition of 'look away' emphasizes the protagonist's wish to distance himself from the 'lies in the stories that were told' and the 'love that I hide / Way down deep in my soul.' This hidden love could symbolize unspoken emotions or a part of himself that he feels he must keep concealed.

The narrative continues with a backstory of meeting someone 'wild / In a snowed up town,' and the subsequent journey of crime and companionship. The lines 'I raised banks and trains / Until I tracked you down' indicate a life of rebellion and lawlessness, driven by a quest to find this person. Despite forming connections and making friends, the protagonist acknowledges that 'we would never catch the sun,' a metaphor for an unattainable ideal or a dream that remains out of reach. The song encapsulates a poignant mix of longing, regret, and the relentless pursuit of something just beyond grasp.