And They Stood Upon The Lawn ...

Going down by Avalon ... Magnificent in it's concept and performance, Van leading massed strings and gathered voices exulting in the magic of Avalon, the grail and the promise of rebirth. In the Upper Room the cup doth stand… Gonna make a brand new start ...

Going as much with the river as not ... William Blake and the Eternals. You. Don't. Pull. No. Punches. Contemplating Baba. You don't push the river. Da. Da. Da. When you were a child. Looking for the Veedon Fleece. And it takes the child  in you to know. A live version following on from Streets of Arklow Behind the sun, oh behind the sun ...

Riding on in ... As soon as the brooding harmonica comes in you know you are in for something special. A companion piece to Cash's 'The Man Comes Around.' Albeit one that draws upon Van's own bitter experiences. Nowhere to hide.  Riding on in ...

Bared my soul to the crowd ... Frustration writ large. You put it all out there and folks just don't get it or are too lazy to do a little work for themselves, the world is full of hypocrites and parasites and when you are not the person people want you to be that is your fault because they haven't listened to what you have been telling them all along.  Now that would drive you crazy.  It's not righteous indignation that makes me complain ...

I got to run to the setting sun ... A song which personalises a place of ritual significance to the ancient Celts of the region of Finisterre (End of the Earth) and of more modern pilgrims to the area. A place where 'death' and 'rebirth' can be physically experienced in the setting and rising of the sun. If I've got to drive all night till the morning light ...

And I will search my very soul ... The sound of a man digging in his very soul. Oh listen. To The Lion. I'm off to Caledonia. And all my tears have flown ...

The words we do not need to speak ... Close your eyes.  Be still ...