Scott 4, released November 1969, is Scott Walker's final album of the sixties. It is also the first and only album in his first musical period to be completely made up of original material. It is said due to the original release of the album having Scott's real name, Noel Scott Engel, on the spine and cover, consumers were confused as to who the artist actually was, and the album was a commercial failure. As a result it was deleted and remained unavailable until the early 1990s. Today, it is usually regarded retrospectively as his best effort. After the release Read Full BioScott 4, released November 1969, is Scott Walker's final album of the sixties. It is also the first and only album in his first musical period to be completely made up of original material.
It is said due to the original release of the album having Scott's real name, Noel Scott Engel, on the spine and cover, consumers were confused as to who the artist actually was, and the album was a commercial failure. As a result it was deleted and remained unavailable until the early 1990s. Today, it is usually regarded retrospectively as his best effort.
After the release of the album, Scott was heavily restricted in creativity by his record company - he released one more album of (mostly) original material in this period, Til' the Band Comes In. It is considered an almost fully realised Scott 5 due to the fact most of the second side of the album was comprised of mediocre covers, forced by the record company to increase sales. Sadly this heavily backfired, and Scott was resigned to making mediocre cover albums for the rest of the 70s until The Walker Brothers' Nite Flights.
It is said due to the original release of the album having Scott's real name, Noel Scott Engel, on the spine and cover, consumers were confused as to who the artist actually was, and the album was a commercial failure. As a result it was deleted and remained unavailable until the early 1990s. Today, it is usually regarded retrospectively as his best effort.
After the release of the album, Scott was heavily restricted in creativity by his record company - he released one more album of (mostly) original material in this period, Til' the Band Comes In. It is considered an almost fully realised Scott 5 due to the fact most of the second side of the album was comprised of mediocre covers, forced by the record company to increase sales. Sadly this heavily backfired, and Scott was resigned to making mediocre cover albums for the rest of the 70s until The Walker Brothers' Nite Flights.
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The Seventh Seal
Scott Walker Lyrics
Anybody seen a knight pass this way
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
His crusade was a search for God and they say
It's been a along way to carry on
Anybody hear of plague in this town
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
A young girl on a stake her face framed in flames cried
I'm not a witch God knows my name
The knight he watched with fear
He needed to know
He ran where he might feel God's breath
And in the misty church
He knelt to confess
The face within the booth was Mr. Death
My life's a vain pursuit of meaningless smiles
Why can't God touch me with a sign
Perhaps there's no one there answered the booth
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
This morning I played chess with Death said the knight
We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knight will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
And through confession's grille Death's laughter was heard
The knight cried No you've cheated me!
But still I'll find a way
We'll meet once again and once again
Continue to play
They met within the woods the knight his squire and friends
And Death said now the game shall end
The final move was made
The knight hung his head
And said you've won I've nothing left to play
The minstrel filled with visions sang to his love
To look against the stormy sky
The knight his squire and friends
Their hands held as one
Solemnly danced toward the dawn
His hourglass in his hand his scythe by his side
The master Death he leads them on
The rain will wash away the tears from their faces
And as the thunder cracked they were gone
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: SCOTT ENGEL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Cristian Lavate Lasmanos
Anybody seen a knight pass this way
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
His crusade was a search for God and they say
It's been a along way to carry on
Anybody hear of plague in this town
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
A young girl on a stake her face framed in flames cried
I'm not a witch God knows my name
The knight he watched with fear
He needed to know
He ran where he might feel God's breath
And in the misty church
He knelt to confess
The face within the booth was Mr. Death
My life's a vain pursuit of meaningless smiles
Why can't God touch me with a sign
Perhaps there's no one there answered the booth
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
This morning I played chess with Death said the knight
We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knight will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
And through confession's grille Death's laughter was heard
The knight cried No you've cheated me!
But still I'll find a way
We'll meet once again and once again
Continue to play
They met within the woods the knight his squire and friends
And Death said now the game shall end
The final move was made
The knight hung his head
And said you've won I've nothing left to play
The minstrel filled with visions sang to his love
To look against the stormy sky
The knight his squire and friends
Their hands held as one
Solemnly danced toward the dawn
His hourglass in his hand his scythe by his side
The master Death he leads them on
The rain will wash away the tears from their faces
And as the thunder cracked they were gone.
ballhawk387
One of the most haunting songs ever, by anybody. RIP Scott, the world is a better place for your having been here.
Lost In Soho
God yes. I'm glad like people like you exist. ❤
Mike Williams
Absolute class. Fantastic voice. Far too good for Pop songs but he used his silky voice perfectly. Such talent.
Epsteen Wus Merdered
Staggering art. It really doesn't get much better than this! A complete masterpiece.
Cristian Lavate Lasmanos
Anybody seen a knight pass this way
I saw him playing chess with Death yesterday
His crusade was a search for God and they say
It's been a along way to carry on
Anybody hear of plague in this town
The town I've left behind was burned to the ground
A young girl on a stake her face framed in flames cried
I'm not a witch God knows my name
The knight he watched with fear
He needed to know
He ran where he might feel God's breath
And in the misty church
He knelt to confess
The face within the booth was Mr. Death
My life's a vain pursuit of meaningless smiles
Why can't God touch me with a sign
Perhaps there's no one there answered the booth
And Death hid within his cloak and smiled
This morning I played chess with Death said the knight
We played that he might grant me time
My bishop and my knight will shatter his flanks
And still I might feel God's heart in mine
And through confession's grille Death's laughter was heard
The knight cried No you've cheated me!
But still I'll find a way
We'll meet once again and once again
Continue to play
They met within the woods the knight his squire and friends
And Death said now the game shall end
The final move was made
The knight hung his head
And said you've won I've nothing left to play
The minstrel filled with visions sang to his love
To look against the stormy sky
The knight his squire and friends
Their hands held as one
Solemnly danced toward the dawn
His hourglass in his hand his scythe by his side
The master Death he leads them on
The rain will wash away the tears from their faces
And as the thunder cracked they were gone.
John Anthony
One of Scott's masterpieces...there are many. Nobody to touch him musically, and a poet too. Unique, God rest his soul.
Boston Ice
I am unable to stop listening to this song and most from Scott4. Only recently discovered all Scott’s solo work. Wow!
Count Grassi
Try the film. The song describes the film to perfection.
Mal Greenley - Lake District Views
Stunning opener of a brilliant album. Scott Walker was in a class of his own.
Hamster Buckley
I love the movie (The seventh seal) and I love this song! This is such a magnificent album! There is no weak song on this record, and I'm very proud to live in a world where Scott Walker existed. Thank you so much Scott Walker! Rest in peace.