I Am a Rock is a folk rock song written by Paul Simon. It was first released on The Paul Simon Song Book in 1965 and was later performed by Simon and Garfunkel on their album Sounds of Silence in 1966. It was released as a single and reached number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It is a song about isolation and emotional detachment.
I Am a Rock
A winter's day
In a deep and dark
December
I am alone
Gazing from my window to the streets below
On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow
I am a rock
I am an island
I've built walls
A fortress deep and mighty
That none may penetrate
I have no need of friendship, friendship causes pain
It's laughter and it's loving I disdain
I am a rock
I am an island
Don't talk of love
But I've heard the words before
It's sleeping in my memory
I won't disturb the slumber of feelings that have died
If I never loved I never would have cried
I am a rock
I am an island
I have my books
And my poetry to protect me
I am shielded in my armor
Hiding in my room, safe within my womb
I touch no one and no one touches me
I am a rock
I am an island
