The song "The Raven" by John Stewart is a poetic and evocative piece that speaks to the power of nature and the cycle of life and death. The lyrics describe the image of a sunrise, with its vivid colors painting the highway. The narrator's eyes are closed, basking in the warmth of the sun. As the day progresses, the wind starts to pick up, and the sound of its singing can be heard. The wind is following the sun, and the narrator is drawn to this primal force of nature. The imagery in the song uses the raven as a symbol of death, tugging at the narrator's lifeline and reminding him of the impermanence of life. The raven's dark wings cast a shadow on the highway, an ominous sign that death is always lurking in the background. However, the raven's wings also represent the cycle of life, with death being a necessary part of the journey. As the song progresses, a long rain starts to fall, and the slow beat of a train can be heard in the distance. The narrator is beckoned by these sounds, drawn to the journey that lies ahead. The song ends with the refrain that when the narrator rises and listens to the song again, he will know that the wings of the raven have come. Overall, "The Raven" is a meditation on the natural world and the inevitability of death. It speaks to our deep connection to the cycles of nature, and the importance of accepting and embracing the transience of life.
