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The Penguin Discography: Dust




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    Song Title »
Dust
    Authors »
Danny Kirwan, Rupert Brooke

    Year Written »
1972

    This Performance »
Date Performance 1972-00-00
Running Time 2:41
Sound Clip Listen.
Performers Mick Fleetwood (Drums), John McVie (Bass), Danny Kirwan (Guitar), Danny Kirwan (Vocals)
CommentsRecorded at DeLane Lea Music Centre.
Appears On
Fleetwood Mac: Bare Trees (0000)
Warner Brothers Publications Inc.
Bare Trees (0000)
Fleetwood Mac

    Lyrics »

When the white flame in us is gone
And we that lost the world's delight
Stiffen in darkness.
Left alone
To crumble in our separate light
When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

When the white flame in us is gone
And we that lost the world's delight
Stiffen in darkness
Left alone
To crumble in our separate light
When your swift hair is quiet in death
And through the lips corruption thrust to still the labor of my breath

When we are dust, when we are dust
When we are dust, when we are dust

    Fan Interpretation »

Contributors to this interpretation included: Lesley, Chris Frohring, Marty and Lis, K.E. Gil, Ariel, and Giselle.

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This song, composed by Danny Kirwan with lyrics taken from a Rupert Brooke poem, is known by many as one of his best. The words reflect how Kirwan felt toward his existence in 1972, as he was experiencing problems with his wife Claire as well as several members of Fleetwood Mac. The words may also be related to his resentment toward his father, who left him when he was a young boy (although clearer evidence of this anger may be heard in his song "Child of Mine".) The song, with its haunting chorus and slow tempo, is ironically beautiful for being so clearly about death. In this requiem, Kirwan is telling the world, "I exist, but I'm going to die. We're all going to stiffen in the darkness, alone." One can only imagine how Danny felt at this point, but this composition is a good indication- he was extremely depressed and introspective. His open sensitivity and macabre words may have been a request for help and support from the very people who were effectively casting him out of their circle and into his depression. His moodiness and drinking, however, might have made it hard for the group to remain close to him. This ballad is the core of Kirwan, his deepest thoughts on life manifested through the words of Rupert Brooke, who himself was deceased by the age of 28. Lulling and calming, but thought-provoking at the same time, Danny Kirwan's "Dust" is an exceptional canticle loved by many Fleetwood Mac fans.

(The interpretations to these lyrics were compiled through discussions on the message boards of the Penguin, The Ledge. It is entirely possible that the artists had something completely different in mind.)

    Tabs »
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    Other Performances »
Running Time 3:05
Performers David Michael Curry (Guitar)
Commentsby $50 Bucks
Appears On
Fleetwood Mac: Patron Saints Of Pop - An Apostilary Homage (1997)
Various Artists

    Comments »

Published by WB Music Corp. - ASCAP

    Reviews »
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    Last Modified »
2010-03-30

    Discography Credits »
Lyrics contributed by Paul Barlow, Jeff Kenney, Marty Adelson. Interpretation prepared by Lesley.