Lyrics After The Gold Rush

After the Gold Rush is a song by Neil Young, reflecting environmental and apocalyptic concerns. The inspiration came from a screenplay for an unproduced movie, for which Young was asked to contribute music. The lyrics discuss dreams and visions concerning the environment and humanity. It was released in 1970, during a period of growing environmental awareness.

 Well, I dreamed I saw the knights in armour coming,
Sayin' something about a queen.
There where peasants singin' and drummers drummin'
And the archer split the tree.
There was a fanfare blowin' to the sun
that was floating on the breeze.
Look at Mother Nature on the run
In the nineteen seventies.
Look at Mother Nature on the run
In the nineteen seventies.

I was lying in a burned out basement
With a full moon in my eye
I was hoping for replacement
When the sun burst through the sky
There was a band playing in my head
And I felt like getting high
I was thinking about what a friend had said
I was hoping it was a lie
Thinking about what a friend had said
I was hoping it was a lie

Well I dreamed I saw the silver spaceship flying
In the yellow haze of the sun
There were children crying and colors flying
All around the chosen one
All in a dream, all in a dream
The loading had begun
Flying mother nature's silver seed
To a new home in the sun
Flying mother nature's silver seed
To a new home...
Notes:
In other words hammer-on the first string as you hit the opening D.