Lyric discussion by bayberry_moon 

Cover art for Medusa lyrics by Karine Polwart

It seems to be about soldiers going to war, or who have died in war :( I think it's soldiers who have died because of the line about "Names like footsteps chiselled in stone" - names on a war memorial.

I always thought of War with this song too. Karine Polwart has a way of using mythology to describe modern things, similar with her song 'Firethief'. I think it's about soldiers dying, the line: 'looking up ahead and never looking back scared they'll catch the eye of some Medusa', explains this well - Medusa had the power to turn people into stone with a glance. I think this song it about that moment before death when you freeze in fear. Karine Polwart uses Medusa brilliantly with these poignant lyrics.