The Hollies's song "Crusader" is a reflective and melancholic tune about the regrets and nostalgia of the past. The lyrics express a sense of loss and sadness as the singer remembers the life he has led and the memories that have been haunting him. The first verse describes a dark and desolate scene where everything seems to have fallen apart. The moat is dry and the roof lets in the sky, which symbolizes the crumbling of a fortified structure. The singer then reflects on the familiar melodies of his past, which bring back memories of happier times. In the chorus, the singer realizes that time has moved on without him and that everything has changed. He describes how the grass has grown much taller, overrunning everything, which represents the passing of time and the decay of the past. The bridge repeats the same sentiment of regret and sadness, emphasizing the impact of the singer's absence on the passage of time. The second chorus is a repeat of the first, ultimately emphasizing the cyclical nature of the singer's reflections. The song ends with a final glimpse of the crumbling moat and the singer's memories of the life he has led. Overall, "Crusader" is a poignant and reflective song about the inevitability of change and the bittersweet nature of nostalgia.
