After The Rain Has Fallen
Sting
Love and Liberation in the High Sahara
Sting's song "After The Rain Has Fallen" tells a captivating story set against the backdrop of a dark, stormy night in the high Sahara. The narrative follows a master thief who sneaks into a palace to steal from a sleeping princess. However, the song quickly reveals that his intentions are not purely materialistic. The thief's presence awakens a longing in the princess, who is trapped in an arranged marriage to a man she has never met. The song explores themes of love, freedom, and the transformative power of emotional connections.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the thief's stealthy approach and the princess's yearning for a different life. The imagery of the storm and the quarter moon of light adds a sense of urgency and danger to the narrative. The thief's gentle demeanor contrasts with his reputation, suggesting that his true intention is to liberate the princess from her confined existence. The chorus emphasizes that after the storm and tears, love remains a powerful force that can replace material losses and bring new beginnings.
The princess's plea to be taken away to a life of adventure and danger highlights her desire for freedom and excitement. She longs to escape the constraints of her arranged marriage and experience a life filled with passion and unpredictability. The song's repeated refrain, "After the rain has fallen, after the tears have washed your eyes," reinforces the idea that love can endure and thrive even after difficult and tumultuous times. Ultimately, Sting's song is a poetic exploration of love's ability to transcend circumstances and bring about personal liberation.