Geordie

Fabrizio De André's song "Geordie" is a poignant ballad that tells the tragic story of a young man named Geordie, who is sentenced to death for stealing six deer from the King's park. The song opens with a vivid image of a woman crying on London Bridge, mourning for her beloved Geordie. This sets the tone for a narrative steeped in sorrow and injustice, as the woman’s tears symbolize the deep emotional impact of Geordie's fate.

The lyrics describe the rare and ironic privilege of Geordie being hanged with a golden rope, highlighting the absurdity and cruelty of the punishment. The golden rope serves as a metaphor for the superficial and hollow nature of societal and royal justice. Despite the woman's desperate plea to save Geordie, riding to London to beg for his life, the song underscores the rigidity of the law and the indifference of those in power. The repeated mention of Geordie’s crime—stealing deer to sell for money—emphasizes the harshness of his punishment in contrast to the relatively minor nature of his offense.

De André's storytelling is rich with emotional depth, capturing the despair of the woman and the inevitability of Geordie's fate. The song also touches on themes of youth and lost potential, as Geordie is described as not yet twenty years old. The winter metaphor suggests the cold, unfeeling nature of the world that will eventually claim Geordie. Through this ballad, De André critiques the inflexibility of the legal system and the lack of compassion in society, making "Geordie" a timeless reflection on love, loss, and the quest for justice.