Formed in the mid 1990's, Bluehorses are fronted by co-founder and lead singer Lizzy Prendergast playing electric violin, electric Celtic harp, space-mandolin and synthesizer. The band also comprises Nic Waulker, on drums - co-founder and co-songwriter, Rhayn Jooste on Bass and Jay MacDonald on guitar.
Fusing the passionate intensity of Celtic themes, a heavy rock and roll mindset and stunning improvisations, Bluehorses' music is a genuinely unique hybrid.
Bluehorses have shared stages with bands as diverse as Hawkwind, The Levellers, Tricks Upon Travellers and Oysterband. They have played festivals in nearly every country of Western Europe and Scandinavia.
Bluehorses have received many accolades including a Mojo magazine 'Album of the Month' and a 'Best Of 2005' award from The Classic Rock Society.
D'Ya
Bluehorses Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Reminisce on promised lands
D'ya quaff it from a chalice
That you found in shifting sands
D'ya picnic on wild mushrooms
D'ya shrink to hobbit size
Follow Gandalf down the magic road
We're all having so much of fun .
Dancing with our kit off like a flower
In the morning sun...
D'ya wallow in crop circles
D'ya gather heavy vibes
D'ya camp in gortex pyramids
With your own shamanic tribe
D'ya chill in all the henge's
From the stone to the sublime
Does your cat smell of patchouli?
Does he recognise the signs?
D'ya eat meat in your mother's house
Coz she wouldn't understand
Hide the Volvo in the garage
And weekend in the van
D'ya save the Celtic rainforest
From your bed on crossed leylines
Meet up with your druid mates
Nut pie in the sky
The lyrics of this song by Bluehorses are an obvious reference to the hippie subculture of the 1960s and 70s which was all about freedom, love, and the pursuit of alternative lifestyles. The song mentions various activities which are popular among this community. The first verse talks about drinking real ale with Arthur and reminiscing on promised lands. This could be a reference to the famous King Arthur and his knights who are associated with bravery, chivalry, and adventure. The mention of promised lands could be a reference to a utopian ideal the hippies believed in, where all people would live in peace and harmony.
The second verse mentions picnicking on wild mushrooms and shrinking to hobbit size which again could be a nod to J.R.R. Tolkien's books, which were popular with the hippies. The mention of Gandalf, a powerful wizard from the same books, who is considered the coolest guy indicates the admiration and reverence this community had for characters who held similar ideals. The third verse mentions wallowing in crop circles and gathering heavy vibes, which are activities that were popular among people who believed in the paranormal and extra-terrestrial life. The fourth verse talks about eating meat in your mother's house, which could be a reference to the vegetarianism prevalent in the hippie culture. The final verse talks about saving the Celtic rainforest, meeting up with druid mates, and having nut pie in the sky, which may be an allusion to the idea of sustainability and living in harmony with nature.
Overall, the song appears to be a tribute to the hippie subculture and its ideals of peace, love, and harmony with nature. It glorifies the ideal of living free, outside of mainstream society, and pursuing alternative lifestyles.
Line by Line Meaning
D'ya drink real ale with Arthur
Do you drink traditional beer with King Arthur?
Reminisce on promised lands
Do you recall mythical places?
D'ya quaff it from a chalice
Do you drink it from a ceremonial cup?
That you found in shifting sands
That you discovered in the ever-changing desert?
D'ya picnic on wild mushrooms
Do you enjoy eating exotic fungi?
D'ya shrink to hobbit size
Do you feel like a small creature?
Follow Gandalf down the magic road
Do you join the wizard on epic adventures?
Coz he's the coolest guy
Because he is the most impressive person?
We're all having so much of fun .
We are all truly enjoying ourselves.
Dancing with our kit off like a flower
Dancing in the open like a blossoming plant.
In the morning sun...
As the sun rises.
D'ya wallow in crop circles
Do you revel in mysterious formations of flattened crops?
D'ya gather heavy vibes
Do you sense powerful energy?
D'ya camp in gortex pyramids
Do you sleep in weatherproof triangular tents?
With your own shamanic tribe
With your group of spiritual leaders.
D'ya chill in all the henge's
Do you relax in ancient stone circles?
From the stone to the sublime
From the commonplace rocks to the transcendent.
Does your cat smell of patchouli?
Does your feline companion reek of an exotic, pungent scent?
Does he recognise the signs?
Does it understand the esoteric symbols?
D'ya eat meat in your mother's house
Do you consume animal flesh in your family home?
Coz she wouldn't understand
Because she can't comprehend your lifestyle.
Hide the Volvo in the garage
Park the car in the garage to keep it out of sight.
And weekend in the van
Use the van for road trips on weekends.
D'ya save the Celtic rainforest
Do you protect the endangered forest in Celtic regions?
From your bed on crossed leylines
From your bed positioned on intersections of alignment channels of spiritual power.
Meet up with your druid mates
Engage with your friends who practice ancient nature-based spiritual beliefs.
Nut pie in the sky
Hopeful plans or developments that are unlikely to come true.
Contributed by Avery H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.