I think its important to look at he line that the artist repeats in a song, because that is the line he's meaning to have make an impression on you; what his preoccupation was that he's meaning to make yours. In this case its "yours is no disgrace." You have to look at that line in its various contexts, the line being what connects the contexts. In this case, it is always preceded by "if the summer change to winter", which I think is a metaphor for aging. Then I notice that there is a contrast between a sailing ship (one's meandering - musing - life journey) and a battleship which confides in him and tells him where you are. But what about those who don't have anyone looking over them? "Death defying, mutilated armies scatter the earth, Crawling out of dirty holes, their morals, their morals disappear." But you? Your life "is no disgrace." I think it's a song about a guardian angel.
Musically:
The song starts out quite militarily, but turns dreamy before the intro is finished. Then it seems to awaken with the lyrics about birth, then the journey of life. Then the revelation and the lost between the seasons of life. The guardian angel has found the man. Then the two-step almost a Capella part where the angel take a patronly stance towards the man, but reminds him that his is no disgrace, his life will be a good one. The part where the music travels from the right to the left channel is the struggles of man, who doesn't know he has a guardian angel. Conflict to resolve, conflict to resolve. Then a victorious "death-defying" re-intro. Same situation, re-examined with a sly smile. Silly human race, on a sailing ship, leaving anyplace... Return to conflict but this time with a happier feeling. The man is starting to know and trust his guardian angel. Then the sound of elevators, going up! Then the same military refrain. Spaceship sounds. Climax: Repetition of the intro, which is a summary of what the whole song is about. Repeat again, once again reconfirming that despite all the meanderings, the person who is the subject of this song will be saved, there will not be a disgraceful ending.
@Zygon I agree that the "if the summer change to winter" is at the heart of the meaning. But it's a tough nut to crack, been thinking about this song at various points for decades... and I can't really pin down why there is no disgrace in some terrible things. Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path.... for "you" and not other paths? It's really hard to pin down.
@Zygon I agree that the "if the summer change to winter" is at the heart of the meaning. But it's a tough nut to crack, been thinking about this song at various points for decades... and I can't really pin down why there is no disgrace in some terrible things. Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path.... for "you" and not other paths? It's really hard to pin down.
@stephenshg I think we both agree that there is no 'one' meaning. The artist s/himself may have various interpretations at different times, when s/he's being influenced by different circumstances or affects. However, I think there is no point to arguing that the song is about airplanes in the sky and Mr. Magpie, either. Understanding is a constant evolution which masters through play, gets serious, then breaks into a folly that can only be felt by some, but can inspire countless. One which follows only the most basic of rules, just enough to keep it "serious...
@stephenshg I think we both agree that there is no 'one' meaning. The artist s/himself may have various interpretations at different times, when s/he's being influenced by different circumstances or affects. However, I think there is no point to arguing that the song is about airplanes in the sky and Mr. Magpie, either. Understanding is a constant evolution which masters through play, gets serious, then breaks into a folly that can only be felt by some, but can inspire countless. One which follows only the most basic of rules, just enough to keep it "serious fun", but that works constantly at "refining" those rules. That is the magic of the muse, for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!
@Zygon re " for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!"... I actually go the opposite direction as you . I actually think the ambiguity makes the song more serious. The word 'disgrace' just carries such a heavy weight. And the battleships that confide. I think the paradox of uncertainty over the winter/summer dives deep into subconscious poetry. I view the song as archetypal mythological, subconscious. That's why I mentioned deep division in interpretation in my earlier reply: "Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better...
@Zygon re " for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!"... I actually go the opposite direction as you . I actually think the ambiguity makes the song more serious. The word 'disgrace' just carries such a heavy weight. And the battleships that confide. I think the paradox of uncertainty over the winter/summer dives deep into subconscious poetry. I view the song as archetypal mythological, subconscious. That's why I mentioned deep division in interpretation in my earlier reply: "Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path...." - I can't resolve it, as maybe it is a superposition of both (limitation of language). I also sense I lack the specific experience or a compass position view that the author has. But I'm drawn to the painting of this subconscious circumstances the song constructs, and perhaps one day I will be standing in that paradox and the song will be more personal than nagging curiosity...
I think its important to look at he line that the artist repeats in a song, because that is the line he's meaning to have make an impression on you; what his preoccupation was that he's meaning to make yours. In this case its "yours is no disgrace." You have to look at that line in its various contexts, the line being what connects the contexts. In this case, it is always preceded by "if the summer change to winter", which I think is a metaphor for aging. Then I notice that there is a contrast between a sailing ship (one's meandering - musing - life journey) and a battleship which confides in him and tells him where you are. But what about those who don't have anyone looking over them? "Death defying, mutilated armies scatter the earth, Crawling out of dirty holes, their morals, their morals disappear." But you? Your life "is no disgrace." I think it's a song about a guardian angel.
Musically:
The song starts out quite militarily, but turns dreamy before the intro is finished. Then it seems to awaken with the lyrics about birth, then the journey of life. Then the revelation and the lost between the seasons of life. The guardian angel has found the man. Then the two-step almost a Capella part where the angel take a patronly stance towards the man, but reminds him that his is no disgrace, his life will be a good one. The part where the music travels from the right to the left channel is the struggles of man, who doesn't know he has a guardian angel. Conflict to resolve, conflict to resolve. Then a victorious "death-defying" re-intro. Same situation, re-examined with a sly smile. Silly human race, on a sailing ship, leaving anyplace... Return to conflict but this time with a happier feeling. The man is starting to know and trust his guardian angel. Then the sound of elevators, going up! Then the same military refrain. Spaceship sounds. Climax: Repetition of the intro, which is a summary of what the whole song is about. Repeat again, once again reconfirming that despite all the meanderings, the person who is the subject of this song will be saved, there will not be a disgraceful ending.
@Zygon I agree that the "if the summer change to winter" is at the heart of the meaning. But it's a tough nut to crack, been thinking about this song at various points for decades... and I can't really pin down why there is no disgrace in some terrible things. Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path.... for "you" and not other paths? It's really hard to pin down.
@Zygon I agree that the "if the summer change to winter" is at the heart of the meaning. But it's a tough nut to crack, been thinking about this song at various points for decades... and I can't really pin down why there is no disgrace in some terrible things. Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path.... for "you" and not other paths? It's really hard to pin down.
@stephenshg I think we both agree that there is no 'one' meaning. The artist s/himself may have various interpretations at different times, when s/he's being influenced by different circumstances or affects. However, I think there is no point to arguing that the song is about airplanes in the sky and Mr. Magpie, either. Understanding is a constant evolution which masters through play, gets serious, then breaks into a folly that can only be felt by some, but can inspire countless. One which follows only the most basic of rules, just enough to keep it "serious...
@stephenshg I think we both agree that there is no 'one' meaning. The artist s/himself may have various interpretations at different times, when s/he's being influenced by different circumstances or affects. However, I think there is no point to arguing that the song is about airplanes in the sky and Mr. Magpie, either. Understanding is a constant evolution which masters through play, gets serious, then breaks into a folly that can only be felt by some, but can inspire countless. One which follows only the most basic of rules, just enough to keep it "serious fun", but that works constantly at "refining" those rules. That is the magic of the muse, for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!
@Zygon re " for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!"... I actually go the opposite direction as you . I actually think the ambiguity makes the song more serious. The word 'disgrace' just carries such a heavy weight. And the battleships that confide. I think the paradox of uncertainty over the winter/summer dives deep into subconscious poetry. I view the song as archetypal mythological, subconscious. That's why I mentioned deep division in interpretation in my earlier reply: "Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better...
@Zygon re " for me. Great music like this is my grownup version of staring at the clouds!"... I actually go the opposite direction as you . I actually think the ambiguity makes the song more serious. The word 'disgrace' just carries such a heavy weight. And the battleships that confide. I think the paradox of uncertainty over the winter/summer dives deep into subconscious poetry. I view the song as archetypal mythological, subconscious. That's why I mentioned deep division in interpretation in my earlier reply: "Maybe it's unconditional forgiveness (everyone), or maybe it's a better path...." - I can't resolve it, as maybe it is a superposition of both (limitation of language). I also sense I lack the specific experience or a compass position view that the author has. But I'm drawn to the painting of this subconscious circumstances the song constructs, and perhaps one day I will be standing in that paradox and the song will be more personal than nagging curiosity...