Song meaning of Swift as the Wind by The Incredible String Band

The lyrics of "Swift as the Wind" by The Incredible String Band convey a theme of imagination and the struggle between fantasy and reality. The song tells the story of someone who has an imaginary friend or a fictional character they deeply believe in. The individual imagines this friend as swift as the wind, with a shiny chariot and wings. However, they are constantly told by others that this friend and the world they believe in are not real.

In the chorus, the protagonist is urged to stop imagining this world for their own good and to join the rest of the people in reality. The lyrics suggest that the protagonist's imagination and belief in this imaginary world is seen as a hindrance or a removal from societal norms.

Despite the doubts cast upon the existence of their friend and the world they believe in, the protagonist continues to see and envision this friend with clarity and detail. There is a juxtaposition between the vividness of the imagined world and the doubts imposed by others.

In the final verse, the protagonist expresses the desire to reunite with their friend in their fair castle but acknowledges that it may take some time to get there. This implies that the protagonist still holds onto their fantasy but is willing to spend some time in reality.

Overall, "Swift as the Wind" explores the conflict between imagination and reality, and the societal pressure to conform to conventional norms. It encourages the listener to consider the significance of imagination and the importance of balancing it with the demands of the real world.