Meaning of "Set-Aside" by Ian Anderson

The lyrics of "Set-Aside" evoke a sense of desolation and neglect, as the imagery paints a bleak picture of decay and abandonment. The hard black crows bobbing where furrows once ran deep symbolize the disappearance of vitality and life from the land. The frazzled oak in an ivy dress suggests nature's attempt to reclaim what has been left behind. The Winter sun illuminating the dog fox through thin hedges highlights the stark loneliness and isolation of the scene. The farmhouse in tatters, shuttered and battered, reflects the decay of human-built structures and the absence of care. The set-aside heroes standing lost in a landscape of tears represent forgotten dreams, hopes, and aspirations left to wither away. Overall, the lyrics convey a sense of melancholy, nostalgia, and the passage of time leading to neglect and abandonment.