Salvation Road

The Kinks · Preservation Act 2 [1974]

Sung by everybody



Hear me brothers, hear me sisters,

Citizens and comrades hear my song.

The old life's dead the order's changing

It's time for all of us to move along.



Got no time to live a life

With old worn-out traditions

Swallowed my pride,

Changed my ways,

And found a new religion.

There you go.



Sick and tired of living on loans,

Driving around in a car that I don't own.

Tired of looking at wealthy faces

Flying off to far out places.

The workers of the world

Shall give the profits to the people.

Class will disappear

And we will live our lives as equals.

There you go.



And we'll all walk along

And we'll all sing a song

And we'll all mark time as we go.

Yes, we'll all walk along

And we'll all sing a song

As we walk down Salvation Road.



Goodbye youth, goodbye dreams,

The good times and the friends I used to know.

Goodbye freedom, hello fear,

A brave new world has suddenly appeared.

Got to be hard,

Don't look back

And no more reminiscing.

Times are rough,

We've got to be tough,

And concentrate on living.

There you go.



And we'll all join hands,

And we'll all march along

And we'll all mark time as we go.

Yes, we'll all walk along,

And we'll sing a song,

As we walk down Salvation Road.



We'll all walk along

And we'll all sing a song

And we'll all mark time as we go.

Yes, we'll all walk along

And we'll all sing a song

As we walk down Salvation Road

Salvation Road

Salvation Road stands as a defining track from The Kinks' ambitious 1974 rock opera, Preservation Act 2. During this era, Ray Davies crafted complex narratives exploring social decay and personal redemption, moving away from the band's earlier pop sensibilities. The song captures the band's signature blend of melodic rock and theatrical storytelling, showcasing Davies' ability to weave intricate character studies into accessible music. As part of the Preservation saga, the recording highlights the group's continued experimentation with orchestral arrangements and conceptual depth. This work remains a testament to The Kinks' enduring influence on British rock, demonstrating their capacity to evolve while maintaining a distinct sonic identity throughout their extensive discography.