Favorite Yes lyrics

I was trying to think of something to O-post that wouldn't be one of those ones that get people fighting instead of appreciating (not that I don't love a little tussle now and again, but there really has been too much lately).  So I thought of this.

Write out your own favorite bit or section of lyrics by Yes.  By this I mean anything from a single line to a single verse or chorus.  Perhaps we shouldn't go longer than that because the posts could end up silly-long.  If you just love it for no explicable reason great; if you love it for what it means to you or what you think is being said, let us know what that is if you have the time; if it's a favorite because you find it funny (as in, what the heck did Jon mean by that?), that's cool too (though hopefully not at Yes' expense). 

If you're into Yes you will have more than one.  I suggest writing one in, then returning later to list others.


I'll start with something that doesn't need to be quoted in full:

DAWN OF LIGHT LYING BETWEEN THE SILENCE AND SOLD SOURCES
CHASED AMID FUSIONS OF WONDER...

A lot of poetic license in here, adding a beautiful evasion.  I love how it's the story of the emergence of conscious life itself!  I don't know of anything else like it in the annals of rock.

Edit: I meant to mention another reason why I remember every word of this opening.  I would recite it to myself as a kid.  Remember how back in grade school you'd make covers for your textbooks out of paper bags?  All the kids into rock would write on them.  Led Zeppelin, Queen, what have you.  I had a few that were drenched in Yes stuff.  I mastered that logo of there's, first tracing it then later free-hand, so I'd put that on the book covers.  And there was one were I carefully wrote out from memory the whole opening of Tales.



Edited by American Khatru - July 01 2009 at 07:15

^ GREAT moment when he hits with that.  I have a feeling this is going to make a lot of people run for their iPods, because I know you just made me need to hear that song!

I have to sign out now but will check back later.  Enjoy.

...and the end of Gates of Delirium...

For my money, there is really only one Yes song (that I've heard) that had lyrics that really touched me. I mean, plenty are unintentionally hilarious, but "Long Distance Runaround," oddly enough, really speaks to me. I think I actually know what Jonnny boy is talking about; someone you love who is far away. 

"Our Gods awake in thunderous roars
 and guide our leaders hands in paths of glory to the cause!"

"Owner of a lonely heart, much better than the owner of a broken heart." 

Sing fortune all to order, battle-scarred to rebel's window
And faithful axe remind you
And faithful axe remind you
Now kindred, place your fallow mark upon the ocean's play
And faithful axe remind you
And faithful axe remind you
Then clearly stay all glorious and mete wonder
And clearly for the motion set in play
Keep somber as the air relieves us train remind
Chut chut
Chut chut chut

Speak kindly and of fusion tame the wind delights akimbo
And faithful axe remind you
And faithful axe remind you
And timely is the breadth all fortune comes to mind our way
And faithful axe remind you
And faithful axe remind you
Then clearly they repeat a flower's thunder (in her white lace)
Then clearly they regard the shadow clay
And shine creation memory caressing time

Chut chut
Chut chut chut
Chut chut chut

Many of Jon's lyrics appear incredibly cheesy without the music, but these lines I find brilliant:

Crossed the line around the changes of the summer
Reaching out to call the color of the sky
Passed around a moment clothed in mornings faster than we see

American Khatru wrote: The Whistler wrote: For my money, there is really only one Yes song (that I've heard) that had lyrics that really touched me. I mean, plenty are unintentionally hilarious, but "Long Distance Runaround," oddly enough, really speaks to me. I think I actually know what Jonnny boy is talking about; someone you love who is far away.  I can't remember exactly, and so I may be wrong, but I think I remember hearing Anderson say that it had something to do with religion or the search for truth, but he was non-committal.  And since I feel like I remember him "saying" it, it was probably from some live bootleg.

Shhh! You'll spoil it!

I'm telling you man, it's about constipation! I'm convinced of it!