Meaning of "It Once Was My Life" by Van Morrison

Van Morrison's "It Once Was My Life" delves into the theme of longing for a lost past, where life was simpler and more meaningful. The narrator reflects on a time when freedom was abundant, and the streets served as a platform for their message. However, as time passes, the world changes, and the simplicity of the past is replaced by trials, tribulations, and complexities. The ship of fools metaphor suggests a feeling of being adrift in a world dominated by stupidity. The chorus serves as a lament for the loss of the narrator's former life, with a desire to return to the way things used to be. The lyrics convey a sense of nostalgia and yearning for a time when life was less complicated and more authentic, contrasting with the disillusionment and challenges faced in the present.