To Thomas S.Eiselberg, a very rich man, who was wise
Enough to spend all his fortunes in burying himself
Many miles beneath the ground. as the only surviving
Member of the human race, he inherited the whole world.

Stagnation

Here today the red sky tells his tale,
But the only listening eyes are mine
There is peace amongst the hills,
And the night will cover all my pride.
Blest are they who smile from bodies free,
Seems to me like any other crowd
Who are waiting to be saved.

Wait, there is still time for washing in the pool,
Wash away the past
Moon, my long-lost friend is smiling from above,
Smiling at my tears.
Come we'll walk the path to take us to my home,
Keep outside the night.
The ice-cold knife has come to decorate the dead,
Somehow

And each will find a home,
And there will still be time,
For loving my friend
You are there
And will I wait for ever, beside the silent mirror
And fish for bitter minnows amongst the weeds
And slimy water.

I want to sit down.
I want to take a drink of water
I want a drink
I want a drink.
To take all the dust and the dirt from my throat.
I want a drink.
I want a drink.
To wash out the filth that is deep in my guts.
I want a drink.

Then let us drink
Then let us smile
Then let us go


Lyrics submitted by Demau Senae

Stagnation Lyrics as written by Peter Brian Gabriel Tony Banks

Lyrics © BMG Rights Management

Lyrics powered by LyricFind

Stagnation song meanings
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8 Comments

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  • +3
    General Comment

    I read somewhere that it's about the survivor of a nuclear attack.

    Frances-The-Toolon March 12, 2006   Link
  • +2
    General Comment

    the nuclear war survivor meaning seems correct. beautiful song

    ledtheater9on March 28, 2010   Link
  • +2
    Song Fact

    Stagnation is on Long Ago In The Rome Hills, a concert bootleg recorded in Rome on 18th April 1972. Gabriel introduces it with:

    "It tells of one man who is left alive after the bomb has fallen. This is very exciting and it tells of how he plants his new crop of onions."

    TonyM101on May 02, 2018   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Its pretty obvious that its about Gollum, precious!

    bkat004on November 07, 2005   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    Beautiful song. One of Genesis' most ambient.

    2006200720082009on March 18, 2007   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    great song they even play a piece of it in the old medly songs since early 1980s

    radioheadsteron August 10, 2021   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    gorgeous song

    franco1023on October 19, 2021   Link
  • 0
    General Comment

    This song is just incredible. Lots of Peter's Genesis songs are exceptionable, but this, coming from their first album all their own,(revelation being 'in school') just proves their talent level to be sky high!

    Loftyairon April 20, 2023   Link

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