The song "Horn of Destiny" by Hawkwind speaks about a world that is being destroyed by greed and an insatiable hunger for more. The greedy tide referred to in the song represents the spread of this devastation that is leaving nothing untouched. This tide is spreading from the west, where civilization and progress are usually associated with, leaving nothing but despair and destruction in its wake. The song speaks of the fear-tamed herds of savage beasts that are stumbling southward, away from this destruction, towards a blood-red sun that seems to sicken and be covered in vapours dun (greyish-brown). This suggests that the world as we know it is no longer livable, and the few survivors are moving towards a bleak future. The refrain of the song repeats the lines about the greedy tide swelling unsatisfied year after year, and the madness it brings with it that makes people stare gibbering at the white-hot skies, where foul birds circle overhead, shadowing both the living and the dead. This paints a picture of utter despair and hopelessness, where the destruction wrought by the greedy tide leaves no living beings untouched. In summary, "Horn of Destiny" is a cautionary tale about the danger of unchecked greed and the destruction it can cause. It paints a bleak picture of a world beyond repair, and suggests that there may be no hope left for humanity.
