Al Stewart — Roads to Moscow
Album: Past, Present and FutureAvg rating:
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Length: 7:55
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They crossed over the border the hour before dawn
moving in lines through the day
Most of our planes were destroyed on the ground where they lay
Waiting for orders we held in the wood
Word from the front never came
By evening the sound of the gunfire was miles away
I softly move through the shadows, slip away through the trees
Crossing their lines in the mist in the fields on our hands and our knees
And all that i ever
Was able to see
The fire in the air, glowing red
Silhouetting the smoke on the breeze
All summer they drove us back through the Ukraine
Smolensk and Viasma soon fell
By Autumn we stood with our backs to the town of Orel
Closer and closer to Moscow they come
Riding the wind like a bell
General Guderian stands at the crest of the hill
Winter brought with the rains, oceans of mud filled the roads
Gluing the tracks of their tanks to the ground, while the skies filled with snow
And all that I ever
Was able to see
The fire in the air, glowing red
Silhouetting the snow on the breeze
(Ah, Ah , Ah) x4
(Ah, Ah, Ah) - all thru bridge
In the footsteps of Napoleon, the shadow figures stagger through the winter
Falling back before the gates of Moscow, standing in the wings like an avenger
And far away behind their lines, the partisans are stirring in the forest
Coming unexpectedly upon their outpost, growing like a promise
You'll never know, you'll never know, which way to turn, which way to look you'll never see us
As we steal into the blackness of the night you'll never know, you'll never hear us
And evening sings in a voice of amber, the dawn is surely coming
The morning road leads to Stalingrad, and the sky is softly humming
Two broken tigers on fire in the night
Flicker their souls to the wind
We wait in the lines for the final approach to begin
It's been almost four years that I've carried a gun
At home, it will alomst be spring
The flames of the tiger are lighting the road to Berlin
I quickly move through the ruins that bow to the ground
The old men and children they send out to face us, they can't slow us down
And all that I ever
Was able to see
The eyes of the city are opening
Now it's the end of a dream
(Ah. Ah, Ah) x4
(Ah, Ah, Ah) thru this section
I'm coming home, I'm coming home , now you can taste it in the wind the war is over
And I listen to the clicking of the train wheels as we roll across the border
And now they ask about the time that i was caught behind their time and taken prisoner
They only held me for a day, a lucky break i say
They turn and listen closer
I'll never know, I'll never know, why I was taken from the line with all the others
to board a special train and journey deep into the heart of holy Russia
And it's cold and damp in the transit camp and the air is still and sullen
and the pale sun of Octobe whispers the snow will soon be coming
And I wonder when, I'll be home again and the morning answers never
And the evening sighs and the steely, Russian skies go on,
forever...
moving in lines through the day
Most of our planes were destroyed on the ground where they lay
Waiting for orders we held in the wood
Word from the front never came
By evening the sound of the gunfire was miles away
I softly move through the shadows, slip away through the trees
Crossing their lines in the mist in the fields on our hands and our knees
And all that i ever
Was able to see
The fire in the air, glowing red
Silhouetting the smoke on the breeze
All summer they drove us back through the Ukraine
Smolensk and Viasma soon fell
By Autumn we stood with our backs to the town of Orel
Closer and closer to Moscow they come
Riding the wind like a bell
General Guderian stands at the crest of the hill
Winter brought with the rains, oceans of mud filled the roads
Gluing the tracks of their tanks to the ground, while the skies filled with snow
And all that I ever
Was able to see
The fire in the air, glowing red
Silhouetting the snow on the breeze
(Ah, Ah , Ah) x4
(Ah, Ah, Ah) - all thru bridge
In the footsteps of Napoleon, the shadow figures stagger through the winter
Falling back before the gates of Moscow, standing in the wings like an avenger
And far away behind their lines, the partisans are stirring in the forest
Coming unexpectedly upon their outpost, growing like a promise
You'll never know, you'll never know, which way to turn, which way to look you'll never see us
As we steal into the blackness of the night you'll never know, you'll never hear us
And evening sings in a voice of amber, the dawn is surely coming
The morning road leads to Stalingrad, and the sky is softly humming
Two broken tigers on fire in the night
Flicker their souls to the wind
We wait in the lines for the final approach to begin
It's been almost four years that I've carried a gun
At home, it will alomst be spring
The flames of the tiger are lighting the road to Berlin
I quickly move through the ruins that bow to the ground
The old men and children they send out to face us, they can't slow us down
And all that I ever
Was able to see
The eyes of the city are opening
Now it's the end of a dream
(Ah. Ah, Ah) x4
(Ah, Ah, Ah) thru this section
I'm coming home, I'm coming home , now you can taste it in the wind the war is over
And I listen to the clicking of the train wheels as we roll across the border
And now they ask about the time that i was caught behind their time and taken prisoner
They only held me for a day, a lucky break i say
They turn and listen closer
I'll never know, I'll never know, why I was taken from the line with all the others
to board a special train and journey deep into the heart of holy Russia
And it's cold and damp in the transit camp and the air is still and sullen
and the pale sun of Octobe whispers the snow will soon be coming
And I wonder when, I'll be home again and the morning answers never
And the evening sighs and the steely, Russian skies go on,
forever...
Comments (404)add comment
USA waited until Russia had won the war at Stalingrad and after 27 million Russian casualties, to claim credit. (Wikipedia) Even then, they reneged on post-war aid promised to Russia.
So, where is 'Nostradamus', BillG? Another great song on this album and should be on RP! We're waiting!
Hannio wrote:
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
And the American Revolution was really won by the French, with assistance from the Americans. But don't tell any 'Muricans that , you'll get deep fried along with their sticks of butter.
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
And the American Revolution was really won by the French, with assistance from the Americans. But don't tell any 'Muricans that , you'll get deep fried along with their sticks of butter.
Hannio wrote:
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
I took a WWII class in college (c. 1998) and we had a guest speaker Russian soldier who had lost an arm in Stalingrad. He was pretty adamant that the US really had nothing to do with the war and that it was all decided on the eastern front. The number of Russian dead would support his position. From what I remember, there wasn't a man left alive in Russia in 1945 that was born in the year 1918.
My grandfather who was a doctor in the Battle of the Bulge would probably disagree with our guest speaker somewhat. One of my biggest regrets was that he came and visited me for several days while I was taking that class and it didn't even occur to me to ask him or the professor about having him guest speak. 19 year old me wasn't that smart.
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
I took a WWII class in college (c. 1998) and we had a guest speaker Russian soldier who had lost an arm in Stalingrad. He was pretty adamant that the US really had nothing to do with the war and that it was all decided on the eastern front. The number of Russian dead would support his position. From what I remember, there wasn't a man left alive in Russia in 1945 that was born in the year 1918.
My grandfather who was a doctor in the Battle of the Bulge would probably disagree with our guest speaker somewhat. One of my biggest regrets was that he came and visited me for several days while I was taking that class and it didn't even occur to me to ask him or the professor about having him guest speak. 19 year old me wasn't that smart.
this is so beautiful.
A song about war and heroes... poor Al, were did you go to. Seems the years of the cats are finally over, so sorry.
cc_rider wrote:
Very true!! ...Cannon fodder!!
It is quite timely, sadly.
I think Russian troops from this century's war may be treated just as they were in the last.
c.
I think Russian troops from this century's war may be treated just as they were in the last.
c.
Very true!! ...Cannon fodder!!
bkrans9 wrote:
I Agree!! Very well stated!!
There is more history of the Soviet-German front of World War II in this song, than most American kids get in high school and college combined.
I Agree!! Very well stated!!
There is more history of the Soviet-German front of World War II in this song, than most American kids get in high school and college combined.
naturalman wrote:
It is quite timely, sadly.
I think Russian troops from this century's war may be treated just as they were in the last.
c.
Can't believe I had never hear this song before today. Thanks RP! What a topic to take on. I'm taking this one all the way to a 9.
I think Russian troops from this century's war may be treated just as they were in the last.
c.
This one deserves an 11. One of the greatest anti-war songs ever.
Can't believe I had never hear this song before today. Thanks RP! What a topic to take on. I'm taking this one all the way to a 9.
Always surprised to hear this on RP. It was on heavy rotation on WKDT, the cadet radio station at USMA ,when I was there in the late 70's. So sad.
Another very annoying song. Really don't like this!!!
Russian skies go on forever, but so does this song....fits into the category of the wreck of the edmund fitzgerald, longer than the sinking itself
"Flicker their souls to the wind" Just that line deserves a 10!
A masterpiece. period. perfection in songwriting. period.
As a young whippersnapper, despite my interest in older music, I've never heard of Al Stewart. Immediately hooked by this song, and it just gets better and better as it goes along.
"...And the evening sighs and the steely, Russian skies go on,
forever.."
This song is a masterpiece IMHO.
Read The Last Green Valley by Mark Sullivan.
The conflict has never gone away.
The poor Ukrainians.
One of the greatest historical story-telling lyricists, ever. Timeless, especially given this song was written nearly half a century ago.
Great song in interesting times. 
Talk about timing... I'm working on a project for Ukrainian Defence and this is playing in the background. Bless us all.
The mere mention of Ukraine in this song caught my attention ..
The poor ravaged people are at the forefront of my mind these days
The poor ravaged people are at the forefront of my mind these days
And the evening sighs and the steely, Russian skies go on, forever...
How fitting
How fitting
Quite apropos, today, I'd say.
Mugro wrote:
Oh wow. How current and apt!!!
Do bullies ever learn from the past?
Oh, why can't humankind avoid war?!
Oh wow. How current and apt!!!
Do bullies ever learn from the past?
Oh, why can't humankind avoid war?!
On_The_Beach wrote:
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Hannio wrote:
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
My 93 year old father has a perspective , the version that the US and the British had to stop the Russians from advancing all the way though Europe , because they in fact were the ones who beat the Germans , and that from one who lived through those times and observed it all without any Jingoistic overtones ......
It is all from a Russian soldier's point of view. First the German offensive pushing the Russians back to Moscow and Stalingrad, then the collapse of the German attack followed by the Russian offensive culminating in Berlin.
Unlike what was taught my generation, WWII was really won by the Soviets with the help of America and Britain.
My 93 year old father has a perspective , the version that the US and the British had to stop the Russians from advancing all the way though Europe , because they in fact were the ones who beat the Germans , and that from one who lived through those times and observed it all without any Jingoistic overtones ......
bruceandjenna wrote:
But,but,but,but,but,but,but,but... sorry, I missed what you said. Your post is too long.
I saw what you did there...
c.
But,but,but,but,but,but,but,but... sorry, I missed what you said. Your post is too long.
c.
Checked in to see if I'd rated it. 10, duh. Al Stewart ain't everyone's cuppa, but the story he tells is brutal, and sadly accurate. WW II is an obscenity upon the history of humans - but it's not alone, not by a long shot.
Peace (we could use some),
c.
Peace (we could use some),
c.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...
Mind boggling. For military historians or those with a particular interest in WWII, this series will give you a new perspective. A crappy low-res video-from-film transfer, but h-o-r-r-i-f-y-i-n-g combat photography. For those who believe "the U.S. won WWII", reduce the hyperbole and think again. This song speaks to an essence of the massive struggle of two brutal behemoths at each other's fucking throats for 46 long months.
Mind boggling. For military historians or those with a particular interest in WWII, this series will give you a new perspective. A crappy low-res video-from-film transfer, but h-o-r-r-i-f-y-i-n-g combat photography. For those who believe "the U.S. won WWII", reduce the hyperbole and think again. This song speaks to an essence of the massive struggle of two brutal behemoths at each other's fucking throats for 46 long months.
Only Al Stewart could get away with those kinda background vocals and 1K violins. Also, for anyone interested in this strange post-WWII era in Europe/Russia and Stalin's paranoia of repatriations, it's given an odd Americanized Hollywood-agitprop anti-Communism pro-Catholicism exploration in a 1949 movie, with lots of Hollywood bigshots such as Peter Lawford and Ethel Barrymore, "The Red Danube." Weird but oddly compelling movie recently on TCM.
lannydevaney wrote:
Including the emotions of the protagonist(s).
A different war of course, but it reminds me of 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. The wars seen through the eyes of the grunts on the ground. Like this song, 'All Quiet' stands the test of time documenting the horrors of war.
c.
This song paints the picture in my mind of what is happening.
Including the emotions of the protagonist(s).
A different war of course, but it reminds me of 'All Quiet on the Western Front'. The wars seen through the eyes of the grunts on the ground. Like this song, 'All Quiet' stands the test of time documenting the horrors of war.
c.
This song paints the picture in my mind of what is happening.
When you had to hire real voices for backing vocals. I know many bands use real singers, but this is especially eary. Like Moby said: "Don't you wonder why more people don't tour with a choir?"
One of my all-time favorite albums and songs...my cousin turned me on to this album right after it was released. I've been an Al Stewart fan ever since.
martin112 wrote:
I was introduced to this album by a college station in Memphis in the mid 70s. I still have the record. College stations are such a great resource. I listen to a couple here in Greensboro NC these days.
My high school radio days. This song takes me back to that little room where a few of us set the school's tone for the day! This was a favourite of both the DJ's and the students.
I was introduced to this album by a college station in Memphis in the mid 70s. I still have the record. College stations are such a great resource. I listen to a couple here in Greensboro NC these days.
On_The_Beach wrote:
While I'm not a Drake fan, I just can't figure out why slagging fans of a completely different genre and artist furthers your point of view.
Love this song, though.
To all you young Drake fans out there, this is something that existed long ago in a land far, far away.
It's called . . . "songwriting".
It's called . . . "songwriting".
While I'm not a Drake fan, I just can't figure out why slagging fans of a completely different genre and artist furthers your point of view.
Love this song, though.
Upped to a 9. So damn good.
My high school radio days. This song takes me back to that little room where a few of us set the school's tone for the day! This was a favourite of both the DJ's and the students.
gmsingh123 wrote:
But,but,but,but,but,but,but,but... sorry, I missed what you said. Your post is too long.
As good as popular music can get. The music, production, lyrics, storytelling, and something that is almost unique to Al—a huge understanding and appreciation of world history. Killer use of a Moog too. Gets a 10 from me. Music is highly subjective, but I would suggest the ones whining this song is "too long" might want to take their ADD meds with more regularity.
But,but,but,but,but,but,but,but... sorry, I missed what you said. Your post is too long.
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
Just keep that finger limber.
If I pushed PSD (six songs) in response to Al Stewart’s “On the Border” I wouldn’t expect to get, two songs later, his “Road to Moscow.” Got tweak that algorithm, Bill.
Just keep that finger limber.
On_The_Beach wrote:
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Proclivities wrote:
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Come on, man, do you really think that there are many "young Drake fans" listening here, where the average age must be at least 45? Excellent songwriting still exists by the way; you must know that - probably not as many of these "story" type ballads as there was in the early '70s though. Anyhow, good tune.
Lighten up dude!
I was just joking around.
Yeesh.
Proclivities wrote:
Come on, man, do you really think that there are many "young Drake fans" listening here, where the average age must be at least 45? Excellent songwriting still exists by the way; you must know that - probably not as many of these "story" type ballads as there was in the early '70s though. Anyhow, good tune.
Agreed. Not sure why OP is punching down at folks that aren't even listening here.
Come on, man, do you really think that there are many "young Drake fans" listening here, where the average age must be at least 45? Excellent songwriting still exists by the way; you must know that - probably not as many of these "story" type ballads as there was in the early '70s though. Anyhow, good tune.
Agreed. Not sure why OP is punching down at folks that aren't even listening here.
Baby_M wrote:
I got the poster for my son (who thinks "Roads to Moscow" is the greatest song ever written) when I saw Mr. Stewart in concert last year.
Parenting, yer doin' it right...
Great poster too. Wow.
c.
I got the poster for my son (who thinks "Roads to Moscow" is the greatest song ever written) when I saw Mr. Stewart in concert last year.
Parenting, yer doin' it right...
Great poster too. Wow.
c.
great storytelling and yes is still zesty ! On_The_Beach wrote:
Come on, man, do you really think that there are many "young Drake fans" listening here, where the average age must be at least 45? Excellent songwriting still exists by the way; you must know that - probably not as many of these "story" type ballads as there was in the early '70s though. Anyhow, good tune.
To all you young Drake fans out there, this is something that existed long ago in a land far, far away.
It's called . . . "songwriting".
It's called . . . "songwriting".
Come on, man, do you really think that there are many "young Drake fans" listening here, where the average age must be at least 45? Excellent songwriting still exists by the way; you must know that - probably not as many of these "story" type ballads as there was in the early '70s though. Anyhow, good tune.
To all you young Drake fans out there, this is something that existed long ago in a land far, far away.
It's called . . . "songwriting".
It's called . . . "songwriting".
"Two broken tigers on fire in the night flicker their souls to the wind" One of my favorite songs of all time. Such beautiful lyrics.
So do this and The Waterboys' "Red Army Blues" have a common source?
GeorgeMWoods wrote:
But enough about your song comment.
Pretentious and endless. Endlessly pretentious.
But enough about your song comment.
If I pushed PSD (six songs) in response to Al Stewart’s “On the Border” I wouldn’t expect to get, two songs later, his “Road to Moscow.” Got tweak that algorithm, Bill.
fredriley wrote:
Stalin's paranoia knew no bounds, and he murderously crushed anyone whom he thought might possibly pose even the tiniest threat to his power, victorious soldiers included. It was his cull, literally, of the Soviet officer corps before Hitler's invasion that rendered the USSR so weak in the face of the invasion, and allowed the Nazis to advance so quickly and kill so many Russians. Even those who were ultra-loyal members of the Bolshevik party, such as Bukharin, or who'd proved themselves on the battlefield, such as General Tukhachevsky, were denounced and executed. The word "monster" doesn't even come close to describing the man, as even the most fevered imagination could not have dreamed up the horrors that he and his regime perpetrated on the Soviet peoples resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of the workers and peasants whom his regime ruled in the name of. If there is a Hell, then even the deepest circle wouldn't be enough to punish him.
Stalin's paranoia knew no bounds, and he murderously crushed anyone whom he thought might possibly pose even the tiniest threat to his power, victorious soldiers included. It was his cull, literally, of the Soviet officer corps before Hitler's invasion that rendered the USSR so weak in the face of the invasion, and allowed the Nazis to advance so quickly and kill so many Russians. Even those who were ultra-loyal members of the Bolshevik party, such as Bukharin, or who'd proved themselves on the battlefield, such as General Tukhachevsky, were denounced and executed. The word "monster" doesn't even come close to describing the man, as even the most fevered imagination could not have dreamed up the horrors that he and his regime perpetrated on the Soviet peoples resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of the workers and peasants whom his regime ruled in the name of. If there is a Hell, then even the deepest circle wouldn't be enough to punish him.Yet the Antifa fascists throw around Nazi accusations for anyone that doesn't hold their viewpoint and would likely find it a compliment to be called a Stalinist. Cognitive Dissonance?
I got the poster for my son (who thinks "Roads to Moscow" is the greatest song ever written) when I saw Mr. Stewart in concert last year.
A quibble with the lyrics, or the accuracy of them:
All summer they drove us back through Ukraine
Smolensk and Vyasma soon fell
By autumn we stood with our backs to the town or Orel
But...if the lyrics are stating so, Smolensk and Vyasma are not in Ukraine. They are due west of Moscow, a few hundred miles north of the border with Ukraine. At that time, though, Ukraine was part of the USSR and not its own sovereign. (Not that is now, completely.)
All summer they drove us back through Ukraine
Smolensk and Vyasma soon fell
By autumn we stood with our backs to the town or Orel
But...if the lyrics are stating so, Smolensk and Vyasma are not in Ukraine. They are due west of Moscow, a few hundred miles north of the border with Ukraine. At that time, though, Ukraine was part of the USSR and not its own sovereign. (Not that is now, completely.)
woodchuk wrote:
America's new Nazis will follow the same path as Hitler's old ones, ultimately. It's their high water mark that worries me. A good reason for songs like this to get some traction.
I can recommend Timothy D Snyder's Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin for a heartrending description of the horror that was Eastern Europe during 1939-1945 and Tony Judt's Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945 for a dense portrayal of the chaos that followed the defeat of Nazi Germany. Should be mandatory reading for anyone contemplating today's populist mass-movement phenomenon.
And yes, it's a great song! Has the same effect on me!
glassbrain wrote:
And yes, it's a great song! Has the same effect on me!
glassbrain wrote:
Still gives me shivers up the spine after almost 40 years. An amazing documentary song. Read a book or two about the Eastern Front/Stalin/Iron Curtain/The Gulags if you are younger than I, who was born just after WWII and grew up with it all in post-war UK. Tragic and appalling stuff.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
America's new Nazis will follow the same path as Hitler's old ones, ultimately. It's their high water mark that worries me. A good reason for songs like this to get some traction.
Tears! Song has turned "majestic" for me.
As good as popular music can get. The music, production, lyrics, storytelling, and something that is almost unique to Al—a huge understanding and appreciation of world history. Killer use of a Moog too. Gets a 10 from me. Music is highly subjective, but I would suggest the ones whining this song is "too long" might want to take their ADD meds with more regularity.
Just brrrrrrrrrrrr...on so many levels. If this does not give you a shiver you need to look in to it.........on so many levels.
ziggytrix wrote:
"And I wonder when this song will end and the morning answers never"
It is long, but it's good.
Long isn't always bad. One of my favorite Al Stewart songs, from one of his best albums. Great story, as is "Old Admirals." A SOLID outstanding, and on point historically.
"And I wonder when this song will end and the morning answers never"
It is long, but it's good.
Long isn't always bad. One of my favorite Al Stewart songs, from one of his best albums. Great story, as is "Old Admirals." A SOLID outstanding, and on point historically.
Grammarcop wrote:
"And I wonder when this song will end and the morning answers never"
It is long, but it's good.
Which is longer, this or Dr. Zhivago?
"And I wonder when this song will end and the morning answers never"
It is long, but it's good.
Which is longer, this or Dr. Zhivago?
Outstanding storytelling from an excellent album.
I can recommend Timothy D Snyder's Bloodlands: Europe between Hitler and Stalin for a heartrending description of the horror that was Eastern Europe during 1939-1945 and Tony Judt's Postwar: A History of Europe since 1945 for a dense portrayal of the chaos that followed the defeat of Nazi Germany. Should be mandatory reading for anyone contemplating today's populist mass-movement phenomenon.
And yes, it's a great song! Has the same effect on me!
glassbrain wrote:
And yes, it's a great song! Has the same effect on me!
glassbrain wrote:
Still gives me shivers up the spine after almost 40 years. An amazing documentary song. Read a book or two about the Eastern Front/Stalin/Iron Curtain/The Gulags if you are younger than I, who was born just after WWII and grew up with it all in post-war UK. Tragic and appalling stuff.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
glassbrain wrote:
No kidding, shivers up the spine for me too.
Still gives me shivers up the spine after almost 40 years. An amazing documentary song. Read a book or two about the Eastern Front/Stalin/Iron Curtain/The Gulags if you are younger than I, who was born just after WWII and grew up with it all in post-war UK. Tragic and appalling stuff.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
No kidding, shivers up the spine for me too.
Give this one a 9, and don't want to hear it ever again... if only that would change anything.
Bravo! I've always loved this amazing and tragic genius story of Stalin's paranoia and mindless persecution; most people have no idea!
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
Onnly two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert EinsteinRead more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
VH1 wrote:
And still people think war is proper solution for problems...nobody ever learns...
Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. Albert Einstein
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/a/alberteins100015.html
And still people think war is proper solution for problems...nobody ever learns...
Some one very smart said once "War will only ever be over,if they love their children more than they hate us"! How true!
Some one very smart said once "War will only ever be over,if they love their children more than they hate us"! How true!
Sounds like on the border
I own this "record". Bought it new. This song is a great history lesson. :)
"Roads to Moscow" is a masterpiece of story telling set to music. The horror of WW II and the character' s fate in the end being sent to Stalin's Goolag never to return like so many millions. Driving the story is Stewart's great voice that is backed by a beautiful chorus. 9
rdo wrote:
You are a parasitic, disturbed, crazy, psycho, stalker, troll, loser, pseudo-intellectual fool....
Sad to see the comment board for this artful masterpiece stained with childish buffoonery. If you're going to throw names like machine gun fire at other RPers, do it privately and save us the embarrassment.
You are a parasitic, disturbed, crazy, psycho, stalker, troll, loser, pseudo-intellectual fool....
Sad to see the comment board for this artful masterpiece stained with childish buffoonery. If you're going to throw names like machine gun fire at other RPers, do it privately and save us the embarrassment.
Wonderful. Just wonderful.
wrangler wrote:
If you think that's long you should give Love Chonicles a listen which like 20 minutes -some stories take longer than others and Al is a master at telling them. Guess I'm from a generation that appreciates good lyrics and stories.
it's still playing. it's been days and days and days. it goes on forever 
If you think that's long you should give Love Chonicles a listen which like 20 minutes -some stories take longer than others and Al is a master at telling them. Guess I'm from a generation that appreciates good lyrics and stories.
And after all the horrors of a certain political philosophy, some still feel the Bern...
a great debut album ! would have been a great choice for the soundtrack to enemys at the gate
Found this album in 76. Fantastic!
4merdj wrote:
No way - Past Present Future is by far his best IMHO
Ah ... the "Year of the Cat" guy ... that album is much better, me thinks ... 
No way - Past Present Future is by far his best IMHO
raga wrote:
THAT is also a great song...as is much of Renaissance's music :)
THAT is also a great song...as is much of Renaissance's music :)
I both hate and love this song. A personal view of a horror. A fight fought and a response to it by politics that denies the effort.
glassbrain wrote:
Superb book. "Armageddon" by British historian Max Hastings. About the Eastern front. Things happened that have not been reported in the Western Front. (Not much about Americans, so not as much interest here. ) Kurt Vonnegut, in "Slaughterhouse Five", wrote that Americans should thank the Russians, thank the RussiansThank the Russians for winning the war for us. For their 25 million dead. That'll never happen.
Still gives me shivers up the spine after almost 40 years. An amazing documentary song. Read a book or two about the Eastern Front/Stalin/Iron Curtain/The Gulags if you are younger than I, who was born just after WWII and grew up with it all in post-war UK. Tragic and appalling stuff.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
Superb book. "Armageddon" by British historian Max Hastings. About the Eastern front. Things happened that have not been reported in the Western Front. (Not much about Americans, so not as much interest here. ) Kurt Vonnegut, in "Slaughterhouse Five", wrote that Americans should thank the Russians, thank the RussiansThank the Russians for winning the war for us. For their 25 million dead. That'll never happen.
it's still playing. it's been days and days and days. it goes on forever
helgigermany wrote:
I can imagine.
not. so . good. for. my. taste....
I can imagine.
not. so . good. for. my. taste....
A full throated chorus singing a the background...freakin cool.
Ah ... the "Year of the Cat" guy ... that album is much better, me thinks ...
A nice (and better) following for this? Renaissance's Mother Russia...
Still gives me shivers up the spine after almost 40 years. An amazing documentary song. Read a book or two about the Eastern Front/Stalin/Iron Curtain/The Gulags if you are younger than I, who was born just after WWII and grew up with it all in post-war UK. Tragic and appalling stuff.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
BTW Al Stewart's unfortunate protagonist, a loyal Russian soldier, gets sent to the gulags just because he had brief contact with Allied forces....it's true. It happened to many Russians. Paranoia and inhumanity on a massive scale from Beria and Stalin.
After Trail of Dead's "Russia" and this, there can only be Kenny Ball's "Midnight in Moscow" or perhaps "Lara's Theme" from Dr. Zhivago. Or "Back in the U.S.S.R."
Surely one of the be best anti-war songs ever, if only by telling the truth... Stalin, or Steel, as his name meant, was worse than Hitler...
sgt8986 wrote:
Stalin's paranoia knew no bounds, and he murderously crushed anyone whom he thought might possibly pose even the tiniest threat to his power, victorious soldiers included. It was his cull, literally, of the Soviet officer corps before Hitler's invasion that rendered the USSR so weak in the face of the invasion, and allowed the Nazis to advance so quickly and kill so many Russians. Even those who were ultra-loyal members of the Bolshevik party, such as Bukharin, or who'd proved themselves on the battlefield, such as General Tukhachevsky, were denounced and executed. The word "monster" doesn't even come close to describing the man, as even the most fevered imagination could not have dreamed up the horrors that he and his regime perpetrated on the Soviet peoples resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of the workers and peasants whom his regime ruled in the name of. If there is a Hell, then even the deepest circle wouldn't be enough to punish him.
It is a beautiful song and a story about something other than love. Something real and overwhelming.
A sad story story of a war that killed orders of magnitude more Germans and Russians than all the WWII fighting involving the western powers. The protagonist is a Russian patriot killed by Stalin for the crime of having been taken prisoner by the Germans. Sad, powerful, awesome and so unlike any other song. Thank you RP. Thank you Al.
Stalin's paranoia knew no bounds, and he murderously crushed anyone whom he thought might possibly pose even the tiniest threat to his power, victorious soldiers included. It was his cull, literally, of the Soviet officer corps before Hitler's invasion that rendered the USSR so weak in the face of the invasion, and allowed the Nazis to advance so quickly and kill so many Russians. Even those who were ultra-loyal members of the Bolshevik party, such as Bukharin, or who'd proved themselves on the battlefield, such as General Tukhachevsky, were denounced and executed. The word "monster" doesn't even come close to describing the man, as even the most fevered imagination could not have dreamed up the horrors that he and his regime perpetrated on the Soviet peoples resulting in the deaths of tens of millions of the workers and peasants whom his regime ruled in the name of. If there is a Hell, then even the deepest circle wouldn't be enough to punish him.A truly unique and evocative song. I listened to it often in my college days. Quiet passion, awesome imagery, telling a great and terrifying tale of war and destruction. The piece is pervaded by existential loneliness. The overwhelming, staggering firepower and casualties at the Russian-German war front dwarfs anything else in human history. No, the West did not win WWII on D-Day. A huge myth. The Brits and G.I.s had it going on with massive resources, but the Russians had already just about accomplished victory, bleeding the Nazis of their lifeblood and machinery, at the loss of 25 MILLION HUMAN BEINGS: perhaps or perhaps not including China, that number is more than the combined losses of all other combatant nations. Think about that.
Two broken Tigers on fire in the night.
Flicker their souls to the wind
We wait in the lines for the final approach to begin
Two broken Tigers on fire in the night.
Flicker their souls to the wind
We wait in the lines for the final approach to begin
I still remember when I first heard this song in 1976. It made quite an impact and it still sounds awesome.
Epic this way and that - utterly timeless.
Great talendet musician!
Wow, awesome piece! Just heard this for the first time. Not sure how I missed this over the years. (Guess I should have listened to A.S'.s stuff other than Year of the Cat. )
And I wonder when, I'll be home again, and the morning answers,
Never,
And the evening sighs, and the steely Russian skies go on...
Forever.
Never,
And the evening sighs, and the steely Russian skies go on...
Forever.
Hey boys.... how about taking your childish name-calling somewhere else?
kcar wrote:
Oh yes, because actually backing up your words with evidence and/or links is such a douchey, pathetic thing to do.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
You speak your mind, rdo, that's true: but over and over again your words amount to nothing. It really is amazing how often you run away from an argument when challenged to support your assertions ("oh, you're an academic"; "I'm busy with work and don't owe you an essay"; "you're a troll", etc, etc, etc...). You are an obnoxious middle-aged child.
Congrats on reading the dust jacket or a book review of "Armageddon." If Max Hastings makes that statement, I'd be interested to read his thoughts on the matter instead of looking at your scatterbrained remembrance of a shadow of the original notion.
Interesting that you didn't bother to refute my assertion that you're using more than one username on RP song comment pages. That's explicitly against Bill and Rebecca's rules, btw.
GFY.
To everyone else: yes, love this song. I have it as an 8.
You are a parasitic, disturbed, crazy, psycho, stalker, troll, loser, pseudo-intellectual fool. I regret ever answering your original PM to me or ever wasting any of the time I spent in the debate with you on the LE song. A debate which you lost quite badly and obviously. Worst of all, I regret saying you wrote that rebuttal well, in order to give you some kind words of encouragement (I was merely lying, being polite). Prior to that, I had been reading these RP comments pages for several years, and I had never even noticed "kcar", not one single comment came to mind, not one stood out in my mind — you were an absolute cipher. Since you started stalking me, I went back and read some of your tedious and lame, poorly written comments, utterly humorless and boring. I would ban you from this site in a heartbeat if I could. The idea that I would "defend my views" to an idiot like you is laughable.
Oh yes, because actually backing up your words with evidence and/or links is such a douchey, pathetic thing to do.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.
You speak your mind, rdo, that's true: but over and over again your words amount to nothing. It really is amazing how often you run away from an argument when challenged to support your assertions ("oh, you're an academic"; "I'm busy with work and don't owe you an essay"; "you're a troll", etc, etc, etc...). You are an obnoxious middle-aged child.
Congrats on reading the dust jacket or a book review of "Armageddon." If Max Hastings makes that statement, I'd be interested to read his thoughts on the matter instead of looking at your scatterbrained remembrance of a shadow of the original notion.
Interesting that you didn't bother to refute my assertion that you're using more than one username on RP song comment pages. That's explicitly against Bill and Rebecca's rules, btw.
GFY.
To everyone else: yes, love this song. I have it as an 8.
You are a parasitic, disturbed, crazy, psycho, stalker, troll, loser, pseudo-intellectual fool. I regret ever answering your original PM to me or ever wasting any of the time I spent in the debate with you on the LE song. A debate which you lost quite badly and obviously. Worst of all, I regret saying you wrote that rebuttal well, in order to give you some kind words of encouragement (I was merely lying, being polite). Prior to that, I had been reading these RP comments pages for several years, and I had never even noticed "kcar", not one single comment came to mind, not one stood out in my mind — you were an absolute cipher. Since you started stalking me, I went back and read some of your tedious and lame, poorly written comments, utterly humorless and boring. I would ban you from this site in a heartbeat if I could. The idea that I would "defend my views" to an idiot like you is laughable.
An epic song, worth of the tale.
Love this song. I have it as an 8.
I do wonder whether calling someone "a pathetic fool" and "utter douche bag" is a violation of RP board policies, but perhaps I should look up those policies on my own time and focus my comments instead on Al Stewart's unusual selection of a song subject. Western mass musc audiences likely don't give much thought to Soviet infantrymen and the struggles they went through, but Al's made a song that captures their world very well.
I do wonder whether calling someone "a pathetic fool" and "utter douche bag" is a violation of RP board policies, but perhaps I should look up those policies on my own time and focus my comments instead on Al Stewart's unusual selection of a song subject. Western mass musc audiences likely don't give much thought to Soviet infantrymen and the struggles they went through, but Al's made a song that captures their world very well.
DaveInVA wrote:
also Red Army Blues by The Waterboys
I've seen (and heard) him do this live 6 times over the years.
I still think it would be nice if they'd follow this up with Renaissance's "Mother Russia".
I still think it would be nice if they'd follow this up with Renaissance's "Mother Russia".
also Red Army Blues by The Waterboys
I've seen (and heard) him do this live 6 times over the years.
I still think it would be nice if they'd follow this up with Renaissance's "Mother Russia".
I still think it would be nice if they'd follow this up with Renaissance's "Mother Russia".
Pretentious and endless. Endlessly pretentious.
It's immortal.
mikeyrad wrote:
I don't care:) he could be singing about fish and chips and I'd still love the music and voice
How literate are these lyrics?
I don't care:) he could be singing about fish and chips and I'd still love the music and voice
How literate are these lyrics?
One of those rare occasions where a song of the early 70s doesn't make me cringe. Just a beautiful mix of voice and music. 10
LuvWilloughby wrote:
The amazing Peter White on guitar.
The amazing Peter White on guitar.
I remember hearing Al Stewart in the 1970s on WRIF in Detroit and I liked him then. He tells stories in his songs and though his voice is a bit odd, I still like him. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
sgt8986 wrote:
Thanks seconded by the Nottingham jury, which votes a rare 10 for this moving tale.
I first heard this song at about 2 AM in 1978? while processing a wrecked Porsche in a dark tow yard and it was a surreal experience. (The irony just dawned on me, as I write this, that I was sitting ("in the night") in a steaming vehicle of post WWII Germany.) The Porsche was steaming and losing it's battery power. I barely heard lyrics about, "Two broken Tigers on fire in the night," and was desperate to try to hear and understand the song. I didn't know the title or artist and didn't hear the song again for at least a decade. Hearing the song again and trying to figure out why it sounded so important and familiar was another story. I'm sure others have had this experience with this song.
It is a beautiful song and a story about something other than love. Something real and overwhelming.
A sad story story of a war that killed orders of magnitude more Germans and Russians than all the WWII fighting involving the western powers. The protagonist is a Russian patriot killed by Stalin for the crime of having been taken prisoner by the Germans. Sad, powerful, awesome and so unlike any other song.
Thank you RP. Thank you Al.
Thanks seconded by the Nottingham jury, which votes a rare 10 for this moving tale.
7 for the lyrics only.
I found my comment of ten years ago. Now a favorite song of mine for almost 40 years.
gillespp
(Portland, OR)
This song has sent shivers down my spine ever since I understood it was ultimately about how, after WWII, the Russians exiled to the gulags -- forever -- soldiers who'd been captured for as little as a day by the Germans.
A favorite song of mine for almost 30 years.
gillespp
(Portland, OR)
Posted: Nov 15, 2003 - 10:00
This song has sent shivers down my spine ever since I understood it was ultimately about how, after WWII, the Russians exiled to the gulags -- forever -- soldiers who'd been captured for as little as a day by the Germans.
A favorite song of mine for almost 30 years.
USA waited until Russia had won the war at Stalingrad and after 27 million Russian casualties, to claim credit. (Wikipedia) Even then, they reneged on post-war aid promised to Russia.
Stuff happens. After the war, Stalin was far from a nice person. Any and all aid that we would have given him would have been used against us!