Stairway to Heaven

I think the song is a commentary on the how there is temporary, artificial happiness that one can get through buying material goods, and that this has a destructive effect on nature. Mother nature would want humans to realize this.

Obviously, the song starts off with a woman in a store who fancies items in a store.

Line: "There's a sign on the wall but she wants to be sure, because 'cause you know sometimes words have two meanings" Interpretation: Picture the word 'Sale'. Are you really getting a sale, or are you being ripped off?

Line: In a tree by the brook, there's a songbird who sings, Sometimes all of our thoughts are misgiven." Misgiven means to doubt or distrust Interpretation: The songbird represents nature, commenting that the way humans look at the world feel that it is not how the world actually is.

There's a feeling I get when I look to the West (Western, capitalist, materialistic society.. think California or USA) and my spirit is crying for leaving (being fed up being in a world where everything is materialistic)

"In my thoughts I have seen rings of smoke through the trees, And the voices of those who stand looking."

• The protagonist is thinking about the harm materialism does to nature, and that people notice the damage it does, but do not do anything to prevent it.

"And it's whispered that soon, if we all call the tune, Then the piper will lead us to reason. And a new day will dawn for those who stand long, And the forests will echo with laughter."

• This describes that if everyone comes together in their belief that nature should be protected, a leader [the piper] will show them what kind of harm they are doing to nature.
• The forest will echo with laughter (happiness) because they are saved from the destruction of materialism.

If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now, It's just a spring clean for the May queen. Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on. And it makes me wonder.

• A person is surprised that Nature is causing a bustling in their hedgerow (artificial nature).... don't be alarmed, it's only nature
• You can either value nature, or materialism

Your head is humming and it won't go, in case you don't know, The piper's calling you to join him, (The idea that subconsciously, you feel as though you should be one with nature) Dear lady, can you hear the wind blow, and did you know Your stairway lies on the whispering wind? (Referring to the materialistic lady, a reminder that the winds of nature are real, and that she will not reach happiness because there is no foundation to her stairway)

And as we wind on down the road (As we walk down the road of life) Our shadows taller than our soul. (Our sins bigger than who we are) There walks a lady we all know (Materialistic lady) Who shines white light and wants to show (She thinks she knows the answers) How everything still turns to gold. (How nature can be destroyed and turned into something beautiful) And if you listen very hard (Listen to the Piper calling you to respect nature) The tune will come to you at last. (You will understand and realize what he is saying) When all are one and one is all (There is an interconnectedness between the earth and humans) To be a rock and not to roll. (To stay firm in your beliefs, and do not follow the way of the materialistic person)

And she's buying a stairway to heaven (And she still continues to buy items for happiness at the expense of the earth's natural resources.

Let me know what you think!