How important are lyrics in prog?

As for me, I don't care as much about lyrics as I used to, at least not in prog rock because it's a very instrumentally oriented genre. Lyrics are a very small part of the picture, and even though they do matter I think the letter of the lyrics aren't as important as how they're delivered and how they interact with the rest of the composition.

For an example, let's take Deep Purple's Child in Time. The lyrics are extremely vague, but the way Ian Gillan performs them and the song starts with a very fragile serenity that erupts into an atmosphere of total apocalyptic destruction. It all works together so that you have to look at the big picture to really understand it.  A lot of Hawkwind numbers (Be Yourself, You Shouldn't Do That) are similar cases - again, really vague lyrics that give some hints in the direction of what the song's about and the instruments filling out the blanks. Better yet, take a look at any cover song that keep almost only the lyrics intact.

Of course this depends a bit from band to band and even from song to song, but still the lyrics alone tell you very little about it... a song could be meant sarcastically but you'd have no idea about that if just going by the lyrics.

I'm not a lyrics person in general.  I'm more into the delivery - the melody, harmonies, rhythm, timbre, and emotion.  I could not care less as to what they actually say.

I think that lyrics in general are a bit of a blind spot in prog's rear view mirror, and agree with Toaster Mantis that the instrumental focus of the genre overcomes this shortcoming in the majority of cases

BUT....

TGM:Orb is right when he mentions that VDGG without Peter Hamill's words would be a lesser experience and is also on the nail with Floyd, whose lyrics I rate much higher than their music post 'Syd'.

ALSO...

For what it's worth, I feel that it is largely irrelevant if the lyrics themselves are unintelligible to the listener in a literal sense, as their connection with me is limited to a very large extent by my subjectivity and intelligence (or lack of more likely)

For example, much of the Italian prog movement's songs move me in an emotional way just by their delivery and texture/timbre and I don't even know a single word of Italian. (well apart from 'bella' maybe...)
One band that I am told have fantastic lyrics are France's 'Ange' and it is of course frustrating for me who does not speak French, to be denied a considerably 'richer' experience when sampling their output.

If they are good, poetic lyrics? Very very very important, especially in VDGG, Tool and Genesis.

They also make the rhythm of vocal melodies more punctual, e.g. The Mars Volta. Their lyrics don't necessarily mean anything on their own, but seriously, they portray a melody perfectly.

nope... not at all.. .if I want good lyrics.. I sure as hell wouldn't listen to prog...  the lyrics are often.. and most effective when they augment the music.. the best example being Yes.. and who gives a hell what Jon is singing.. but it fits the music to a T. 

If I want good lyrics.. I'll listen to something else... prog is about the music.. the lyrics are window dressing

For me, this is what it comes down too.

Terria wrote: Great lyrics with bad delivery and bad music is un-listenable (I made that word up ).

I've heard that word lots of time. Pretty sure you didn't make it up.

jammun wrote: But let's not dismiss how good some of the lyrics from the classic era are.  KC, Procol, even Yes at times, had great lyrics.  As for more recent material, I have no idea what Mars Volta is singing about, which is fine because that continues in the fine tradition started with Yes' Tales.

oh sure... throw the Moodies and ELO in that as well...

Ghost Rider wrote: Though I am partial to good lyrics, I recognise that they are not that important in prog, or rock in general. What really counts is the way the lyrics are delivered. Jon Anderson's lyrics, meaningless as they may be, are delivered so effectively that they become a perfect complement to the music, and his voice another instrument. Same could be said about the much-reviled Cedric Bixler-Zavala... I don't listen to TMV in order to hear wonderful poetry, but because I love their music, and in my very humble opinion their zany lyrics fit it to a T.

Good music is more important than the lyrics. To me the sound of the lyrics matters most which, I guess, is why I am equally happy listening to any language. Just as long as it sounds right!