Shammy [chamois] cleaning all the windows,
Singing songs about Edith Piaf's soul.
And I hear blue strains of "no regredior"
Across the street from Cathedral Notre Dame.

Meanwhile back in San Francisco
We're trying hard to make this whole thing blend,
As we sit upon this jagged
Storey block, with you my friend.

And it's a long way to Buffalo.
It's a long way to Belfast city too.
And I'm hoping the choice won't blow the hoist
Cause this town, they bit off more than they can chew.

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview

All the orange boxes are scattered.
Against the Safeway's supermarket in the rain.
And everybody feels so determined
Not to feel anyone else's pain.

(You know that) No one's making no commitments
To anybody but themselves,
Hidin' behind closed doorways,
Tryin' to get outside, outside of empty shells

And for every cross-cuttin' country corner,
For every Hank Williams railroad train that cried,
And all the chains, badges, flags and emblems
And every strain on every brain and every eye (?)

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview.

And the restaurant tables are completely covered.
The record company has paid out for the wine.
You got everything in the world you ever wanted
Right about now your face should wear a smile.

That's the way it all should happen
When you're in, when you're in the state you're in;
You've got your pen and notebook ready,
I think it's about time, time for us to begin.

And we're over in a 52nd Street apartment,
Socializing with the wino few,
Just to be hip and get wet with the jet set.
But they're flying too high to see my point of view.

As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
As we gaze out on, as we gaze out on
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview
Saint Dominic's Preview.

See them freedom marching,
Out on the street, freedom marching.
Saint Dominic's Preview.



Lyrics submitted by archmastermind

Track duration: 06:25

"Saint Dominic's Preview" as written by Van Morrison

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.

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Saint Dominic's Preview song meanings
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13 Comments

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  • 0
    General Comment:I thought it was to the Prophecy (preview) of St Dominic that Van Morrison was referring when he wrote this. But reading the comment above, I see that any reference to this prophecy was not conscious. I will include an account of St. Dominic's prophecy here for the curious:

    St. Dominic’s Prophecy, AD 1208
    In the pages of an ancient history of the Carmelite Order (written in mediaeval Latin by a
    priest named Fr. Marianus Ventimiglia), published in 1773 in Naples, we find this historical
    account:


    Three famous men of God met on a street corner in Rome. They were Friar Dominic, busy
    gathering recruits to a new Religious Order of Preachers; Brother Francis, the friend of birds
    and beasts and especially dear to the poor; and Angelus, who had been invited to Rome
    from Mount Carmel, in Palestine, because of his fame as a preacher. At their chance
    meeting, by the light of the Holy Spirit each of the three men recognized each other and, in the
    course of their conversation (as recorded by various followers who were present), they made
    prophecies to each other. Saint Angelus foretold the stigmata of Saint Francis, and Saint
    Dominic said:
    "One day, Brother Angelus, to your Order of Carmel
    the Most Blessed Virgin Mary will give a devotion to
    be known as the Brown Scapular, and to my Order of
    Preachers she will give a devotion to be known as
    the Rosary. ONE DAY, THROUGH THE ROSARY AND
    THE SCAPULAR, SHE WILL SAVE THE WORLD."
    Flagged ChristopherMarloweon June 22, 2012   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:I probably read too much into it, but as St. Dominic is the Patron Saint of astronomers I always imagined gazing at St. Dominic's Preview referring to the brilliant moment right before a sunrise or right as the sun is fully setting.
    Flag sayheykidon August 28, 2011   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:"I'd been working on this song about the scene going down in Belfast. And I wasn't sure what I was writing but anyway the central image seemed to be this church called St. Dominic's where people were gathering to pray or hear a mass for peace in Northern Ireland. Anyway, a few weeks ago I was in Reno for a gig at the University of Nevada. And while we were having dinner I picked up the newspaper and just opened it to a page and there in front of me was an announcement about a mass for peace in Belfast to be said the next day at St. Dominic's church in San Francisco. Totally blew me out. Like I'd never even heard of a St. Dominic's church.

    [Q:] What did you end up titling it?

    'St. Dominic's Preview.' You know something? I haven't a clue to what it means."

    rollingstone.com/news/story/5939314/van_morrison_the_rolling_stone_interview/…
    Flag fortmon July 26, 2009   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:There is a St. Dominic's Church in San Fran, where Van lived at the time - attended by people from all wlaks of life. As ever with Van, the allusion is subtle and mysterious.
    Flag vasnmoGoon September 29, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:No comment as to St Dominic - Who? Why?
    Flag nagromnaion April 03, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:No comment as to St Dominic - Who? Why?
    Flag nagromnaion April 03, 2008   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Yes, indeed "Non, je ne regrette rien' as in Piaf.
    Van was quiet a poet - not so much lately I regrette!
    Flag vasnmoGoon August 01, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:No regredior ? - No regret,in Piaf's words,'non,je ne regrette rien'
    Flag lunaspieon July 19, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:A theme of dissolusionment also with the political situation in Northern-Ireland, which was terrible at the time - “chains, badges, flags and emblems” – refers to - Flags And Emblems Act of 1954 in Northern-Ireland forbade nationalists from outward display of Irish symbols e.g flag of Southern-Ireland.

    It was most couragous of van to write/sing this, as it would be viewed as treachery by his peers in Northern-Ireland - a man before his time, as always.
    Flag vasnmoGoon February 09, 2007   Link
  • +1
    General Comment:Unbelievable imagery - worked in Cali in 1980s, was worked to death, saw the Safeway supermarket etc.. So burnt out went to Paris on break - back in Dublin listened to this -
    "And I hear blue strains of "no regredior"
    Across the street from Cathedral Notre Dame.
    Meanwhile back in San Francisco
    We're trying hard to make this whole thing blend"

    supernatural psychic predictions
    Flag vasnmoGoon March 23, 2006   Link

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