Take A Pebble

Emerson Lake and Palmer's 'Take A Pebble' is a profound exploration of memory, loss, and the passage of time. The song begins with the simple act of casting a pebble into the sea, a metaphor for initiating a series of events or reflections. The ripples created by the pebble symbolize the unfolding of memories and emotions, gently disturbing the waters of life. This imagery sets the tone for a contemplative journey through the past, where the narrator's face and emotions are reflected in the eyes of the listener, creating an intimate connection.

The lyrics delve deeper into the theme of memory with vivid imagery. 'Shread of our memories are lying on your grass' and 'Photographs are grey and torn, scattered in your fields' evoke a sense of nostalgia and the inevitable decay of the past. The 'wounded words of laughter' and 'graveyards of the past' suggest that even joyful moments are tinged with sorrow as they become mere remnants of what once was. The letters of memories being 'not real' further emphasize the fleeting and sometimes illusory nature of our recollections.

The song's melancholic tone is underscored by the imagery of sadness and hopelessness. 'Sadness on your shoulders like a wornout overcoat' and 'the rags of your hope' paint a picture of a person weighed down by their past and the loss of their dreams. The line 'The daybreak is your midnight; the colours have all died' poignantly captures a sense of despair and the loss of vibrancy in life. The repeated phrase 'Disturbing the waters of our lives' serves as a haunting reminder of how our past continuously influences our present, creating ripples that shape our emotional landscape.