La canción se basa en un texto escrito por Simon cuando apenas acababa de dejar atrás su adolescencia, donde ya dejaba entrever su timidez y su desconfianza hacia el género humano, aunque siempre ha afirmado que no es estrictamente autobiográfica. Un tema con una lírica demoledora llena de frases memorables sobre la soledad que llegó hasta el tercer puesto de las listas norteamericanas en 1966: 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 (?) Hiding in my room, safe within my womb. I touch no one and no one touches me. (?) And a rock feels no pain. And an island never cries. Una roca que, medio siglo después, sigue emocionando sin remedio y haciéndonos cuestionar, aunque solo sea un poco, nuestra condición de animales sociales.
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. And a rock feels no pain; And an island never cries.