This band was from Scotland, their name is deri… Read Full Bio ↴take it to Beggars Opera
This band was from Scotland, their name is derived from a novel by the poet John Gay in 1728. The musicians of BEGGAR'S OPERA were Martin Griffiths (vocals), Rick Gardiner (guitar and vocals), Alan Park (keyboards), Gordon Sellar (bass, acoustic guitar and vocals), Virginia Scott (Mellotron and vocals) and Raymond Wilson (drums and percussion). BEGGAR'S OPERA made a lot of records but remained acting in the shade of most progressive rock bands.
Sarabande
Beggar's Opera Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That it was only a thing to see
So let the singer sing the song
A little rhyme of right and wrong
Sarabande
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
??? the street behind
Into our golden sand of time
When ones ??? into the sun
Sarabande
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
And soon there's something that came to mind
No one of us really mind
Into our golden sand of time
And send us known into the sun
Sarabande
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
Sarabande
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
Sarabande
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
The lyrics to Beggar's Opera's song Sarabande are quite abstract and open to interpretation. The first few lines seem to suggest that whatever comes near was only a thing to see and therefore the singer should just sing a little rhyme of right and wrong, as if to suggest that everything is black and white and there's no need to delve too deeply into any complex issues. The repetition of “Sarabande” throughout the song creates a feeling of rhythmic and circular movement and progression, as if the song is constantly moving forward and yet staying in the same place at the same time. The lyrics seem to evoke the idea of the passing of time and how we all inevitably move toward the sun, our ultimate destiny.
The lyrics also seem to touch on the idea of how we remember events, with the line “It's only something that came to mind” suggesting a hazy, distant memory. The street behind could refer to the past, and the “golden sand of time” could represent the fleeting nature of life and how memories can fade over time. The repetition of the word “mind” could suggest that we do not truly pay attention to the passing of time until it is too late, and we are sent into the sun, or passed away.
Overall, the lyrics to the song Sarabande are meant to be interpretive and somewhat ambiguous, allowing the listener to derive their own meaning and reflection of the passage of time and our limited ability to truly understand it.
Line by Line Meaning
And now ??? comes near
The singer is alluding to something that is approaching or about to happen, but is not specifically naming it. This creates a sense of anticipation and intrigue.
That it was only a thing to see
Whatever the singer is referring to, it was merely a spectacle or something to observe, rather than a significant event.
So let the singer sing the song
The singer is encouraging the singer to perform a piece of music, suggesting that this will provide some sort of entertainment or distraction from the approaching event.
A little rhyme of right and wrong
The song that the artist suggests should be performed will likely contain a moral lesson or commentary on good and bad behavior.
It's only something that came to mind
The artist is reflecting on their own thoughts, suggesting that they may not have a clear plan or strategy for dealing with the approaching event.
??? the street behind
The specific details of the singer's thoughts are unclear, but they may relate to something that they saw or experienced in the recent past.
Into our golden sand of time
The approaching event will become a part of our collective memories, like grains of sand that accumulate over time.
When ones ??? into the sun
This fragment is unclear, but it may refer to people walking towards the sunset, metaphorically suggesting that they are approaching the end of their lives or some other significant transition.
And soon there's something that came to mind
The artist is still ruminating on their own thoughts and memories, which have been triggered by the approaching event.
No one of us really mind
Despite the significance of the approaching event, the artist seems to be suggesting that none of their companions are particularly bothered by it.
And send us known into the sun
The approaching event will likely send the group of people on a new journey, possibly marking the end of one phase of their lives and the beginning of another.
Sarabande
The repeated chorus provides a sense of musical rhythm and continuity, creating a sense of unity among the group of people who are facing the approaching event together.
Sa-ha-ha-ha-ha-rabande
The nonsense syllables that make up the chorus emphasize the idea that the music is more important than the specific lyrics or meaning of the song. The singers are united by the music itself, rather than any particular message it might contain.
Contributed by London J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@issy3472
Great memories, saw them live in Glasgow in 1969, bought this record, love it still, fab band
@broncycolon7020
This is/was underrated Band
@theduncanfrasersatiricalso7398
I remember seeing them play at the Greyhound, Fulham in 1972. Very impressive musicians.
@MrFairwinds
Remeber this great track from the KJ Roadshow ,fantastic!
@marctilly13
in my top 3 singles ,a very underrated Scottish band,. guitarist went onto play with bowie
@nikolaosmosxakis3395
VERY VERY GOOD BAND ALL ............................................
@poorguyfromharlemgaming6648
Funny fact this image was used on the 12" album which came out one year before the single did.
Anyway cool Prog rock song, i like the guitar riff it makes for an amazing song.
@tommcnamee5946
MEMORY KICKBACK!!!
@tinchogs594
Es una joya. Gracias por publicarla
@snorp01
Thanks , can you please post B-side Think ?