Lions

Dire Straits' song 'Lions' paints a vivid picture of urban life, filled with metaphors and imagery that reflect the complexities and struggles of city living. The song opens with a 'red sun' setting over a 'dirty town,' immediately setting a somber and gritty tone. The starlings sweeping around in 'crazy shoals' symbolize the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the city. The girl in high heels crossing the square represents the everyday person navigating through this urban jungle, searching for connection and meaning amidst the crowd.

The church bell trying to gather people for Evensong but failing to do so highlights the decline of traditional values and communal activities in modern society. Instead, people are 'praying for trains' at the station, indicating a shift in what people rely on and hope for. The 'drunk old soldier' described as a 'crazy lion howling for a fight' adds a layer of danger and unpredictability to the urban environment, symbolizing the aggressive and sometimes violent nature of city life.

The recurring imagery of lions and starlings serves as a powerful metaphor throughout the song. While starlings are 'tough,' the lions are 'made of stone,' suggesting that while the people (starlings) are resilient, the challenges they face (lions) are formidable and unyielding. The girl's evening paper filled with 'horror' but offering 'hope later for Capricorns' reflects the duality of despair and hope that characterizes urban existence. The song ends with a contemplation of 'what happened to the lions,' leaving the listener to ponder the fate of strength and courage in a world that seems increasingly harsh and unforgiving.