The lyrics describe dreams of knights in armor, peasants, drummers, and archers, a fanfare blowing to the sun, and Mother Nature on the run in the nineteen seventies. The speaker lies in a burned-out basement, hoping for replacement, feeling like getting high, and thinking about a friend's words. Another dream involves silver spaceships flying in the sun's yellow haze, with children crying and colors flying around the chosen ones.

Meaning of "After The Gold Rush" by Patti Smith

"After The Gold Rush" by Patti Smith delves into surreal dreams that reflect a sense of disillusionment and longing for change during the societal upheaval of the 1970s. The imagery of knights, peasants, archers, and a futuristic scene with silver spaceships conveys a search for something greater beyond the confines of reality. The burned-out basement symbolizes decay, while the desire for replacement and hope in the midst of darkness suggest a yearning for renewal and transformation. The reference to getting high and questioning a friend's words indicates a search for meaning amidst chaos and uncertainty. Ultimately, the dreams embody a longing for escape and a search for a new beginning, mirroring the turbulent and transformative era of the 1970s.