When the Wind Blows [Italian translation]

The evening air lies heavy and sleep it still escapes me;

a night where hope and courage are stillborn.

Outside, the lurking shadows press against my windows

and wait for the coming of the storm.

They dance, those shadows - when the wind blows.

The shadows are advancing, over all the Earth they're dancing,

and, everywhere they dance, they shall bring death.

All the bright uneven pages that we've written through the ages

shall vanish in the shadow's poison breath.

The storybook will close - when the wind blows.

Suddenly I'm frightened, I wish this room was lightened;

can no one light a candle in the dark?

For I hear the sullen murmur of far off threatening thunder,

I feel its menace chill me to the heart.

Where can I hide, where can I go? - when the wind blows.

There is no one that can save you, and nowhere that you can run to,

no shelter in a world that's gone insane.

In this world that we created with our arrogance and hatred,

we'll stand naked 'neath the gentle deadly rain;

there will be no rainbows - when the wind blows.

In the darkness I am trembling, this night seems never ending,

it seems the morning sun will never rise.

The crashing of the thunder splits my head asunder,

and lightning burns and eats into my eyes.

And, oh, how the darkness grows - when the wind blows.

In a thousand searing flashes, the world shall turn to ashes,

whirling like a burning coal in endless space.

Of this world we did inherit, we shall leave a smoking desert,

a headstone for the heedless human race,

to mark our final throes - when the wind blows.

Oh, I must be dreaming, for I thought I heard a screaming,

like a billion lost souls falling into hell,

in a thousand tongues bewailing, at indifferent fate all railing,

each one calling on their Saviour as they fell;

shall we reap what we did sew? - when the wind blows.

You can call upon your Saviour, if you think that is the answer,

but you've called on him so many times before.

Call on Allah, Buddha, Jesus, I doubt if they will hear us,

for we've let the Devil loose, now hear him roar.

Hell shall overflow - when the wind blows.

• Artist:Eric Bogle