I was around fourteen or fifteen when this came out and I greatly liked it. I think I’d been having my ups and downs with girls and could relate to the song on that score. There were times when I just wanted to crawl away and not bother with love any more. To turn my back on everyone, develop a shell and pretend I didn’t care.
Now I am a lot older I see the song in a wider context. One can do the same with life. We can see all the big calamities – war, terrorism, cruelty, poverty, inequality, mass migration, environmental destruction, extinctions, religious fundamentalism, Trump, Brexit and climate change, and feel that we are completely helpless. We want to hide away, live our own lives and forget about it. It is too upsetting.
But that is what they want us to do.
Instead we have to look outward, be idealistic and want to make the world a better place. We change what we can and shout loudly about what needs changing.
That is what they don’t want us to do.
It’s too cosy in our rooms with our books and music. Some things – love and life – are worth getting hurt over,
Paul Simon – I Am A Rock Lyrics
In a deep and dark
December;
I am alone,
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I’ve built walls,
A fortress steep and mighty,
That none may penetrate.
I have no need of friendship; friendship causes pain.
It’s laughter and it’s loving I disdain.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
Don’t talk of love,
Well I’ve heard the words before;
It’s sleeping in my memory.
I won’t disturb the slumber of feelings that have died.
If I never loved I never would have cried.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me;
I am shielded in my armor,
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb.
I touch no one and no one touches me.
I am a rock,
I am an island.
And a rock feels no pain;
And an island never cries.