"A Sign Of The Ages" by Gil Scott-Heron is a song that explores themes of societal unrest, personal struggle, and the search for meaning in a chaotic world. The lyrics paint a picture of a man standing at a crossroads, feeling disconnected from his surroundings and the angry sky above him. The song suggests that true salvation and peace cannot be attained until old customs and ways of thinking are challenged and examined. The gods, represented by the angry breeze and the hammer-like night, seem displeased with the current state of affairs. The narrator is haunted by unanswered questions and burdened by the weight of the past. The world is portrayed as a place where children are forced to grow up too quickly, robbed of their innocence. The sense of desperation and hopelessness is further emphasized in the line, "where can you run since there ain't no world of your own." The narrator feels trapped and alienated, believing that nobody will even notice or miss them when they're gone. The song suggests that people often resort to escapism, such as crying like a baby or seeking solace in drugs or other vices. However, true peace seems elusive in this earthly existence, perhaps only attainable in death. Overall, "A Sign Of The Ages" conveys a profound sense of disillusionment and searching for meaning in a troubled world. The lyrics capture the turmoil and unrest that many individuals experience, while raising questions about the state of society and the possibility of finding peace and salvation within it.
