Commonly referred to by their initials CSNY, the band is primarily known for their four-part vocal harmonies. They were one of the few North American groups that rivaled the Beatles in popularity in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
After the 1970 shootings at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio, Neil Young wrote "Ohio", a tribute to the four students who were shot by the Ohio National Guard. Many radio stations would not play the song "Ohio" because of the anti-war tone of the song. Even so, largely because of its topical nature, "Ohio" bumped "Teach Your Children", released three weeks earlier, from its ascent in the charts, replacing it on the popularity climb, ending at number fourteen, while "Teach Your Children" ended at number sixteen.
In the early seventies, each member released solo albums and by 1972, the band had essentially split up. Nash and Crosby began to perform as a duo and recorded and toured as Crosby & Nash (or, alternatively, Crosby-Nash). A 1974 CSNY reunion tour was a massive success, but attempts to make a second CSNY album ended with another split and separate albums from Crosby & Nash and The Stills-Young Band, both in 1976. After a falling-out between Stills and Young, CSN reformed to release CSN and has been the primary configuration since. CSNY finally returned in 1988 with American Dream, and again in 1999 with Looking Forward. Subsequent material has mostly been from Crosby, Stills & Nash, with the exception of live releases featuring all four members.
It is important to note that on their most famous album, Déjà vu, nearly every song features the trio configuration. Neil Young joins only on a handful of songs he didn't write (guitar on "Woodstock," "Almost Cut My Hair"). Neil Young is absent on "Teach Your Children," "Our House," "Carry On," "Déjà Vu" and therefore the most famous work by the group can be credited to the original trio configuration.
In 1991, Crosby was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds. Neil Young was inducted in 1995 as a solo artist. Stephen Stills was inducted in 1997 as both a member of Buffalo Springfield (along with Young) and Crosby, Stills & Nash (with Crosby & Nash), Graham Nash was inducted in 2010 as a member of The Hollies.
Guinnevere
Crosby Stills Nash & Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
When she'd walk down
Through the garden
In the morning after it rained
Peacocks wandered aimlessly
underneath an orange tree
Why can't she see me?
Guinnevere
Drew pentagrams
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Late at night
When she thought
that no one was watching at all
She shall be free
As she turns her gaze
Down the slope
to the harbor where I lay
Anchored for a day
Guinnevere
Had golden hair
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Streaming out when we'd ride
Through the warm wind down by the bay
Yesterday
Seagulls circle endlessly
I sing in silent harmony
We shall be free
The song Guinnevere by Crosby, Stills, and Nash is a complex narrative of unrequited love and the complications that come with it. The singer of the song is nursing a crush on a woman named Guinnevere, who is most likely in a romantic relationship with someone else. The lyrics describe the singer's fascination with Guinnevere's physical attributes, such as her green eyes, golden hair, and the way she draws pentagrams, which is a symbol often associated with witchcraft and the occult.
The singer seems to be frustrated that Guinnevere is not reciprocating his feelings, as evidenced by the line "Why can't she see me?" The song goes on to describe the singer's desire for freedom and a release from the emotional torment caused by his unrequited love. He longs to be free like the peacocks wandering aimlessly in the garden and the seagulls circling endlessly in the sky.
Overall, Guinnevere is a tale of unrequited love and the longing for freedom and release from emotional torment. The song's complex narrative and vivid imagery make it a powerful expression of these themes.
Line by Line Meaning
Guinnevere had green eyes
The woman named Guinnevere had eyes that were green, much like yours, my lady, much like yours.
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Her eyes looked like your eyes, my lady.
When she'd walk down
Whenever she strolled down
Through the garden
Through the garden area
In the morning after it rained
During the morning immediately after it had rained
Peacocks wandered aimlessly
Peacocks moved around randomly without any purpose
underneath an orange tree
Beneath a tree which had oranges
Why can't she see me?
I wonder why she can't notice me.
Guinnevere drew pentagrams
Guinnevere itself used to draw pentagrams.
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
Just like yours, my lady, she drew pentagrams.
Late at night
During the late hours of the night
When she thought
When she believed
that no one was watching at all
That nobody was observing her in any way
She shall be free
She will be liberated
As she turns her gaze
While she looks
Down the slope
Towards downslope
to the harbor where I lay
Towards the port area where I was present
Anchored for a day
Stationary for a whole day
Guinnevere had golden hair
The person named Guinnevere's hair was of a golden color
Like yours, mi'lady like yours
It was akin to yours, my lady.
Streaming out when we'd ride
Flowing out when we would travel together
Through the warm wind down by the bay
During our playful time in warm sea breeze down at the shore
Yesterday
Before today
Seagulls circle endlessly
Seagulls keep circling limitlessly
I sing in silent harmony
I sing songs silently and well-coordinated with the background music
We shall be free
We both will be liberated
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DAVID CROSBY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@DrJohn-rl9zg
I married a girl I met near the end of my senior year in highschool. Her homeroom was the band room where I played trumpet every morning.
Some six or seven years later we went to see CSN in concert. I remember someone in the band asked everyone to be quiet...and Crosby launched into "Guinnevere". The whole crowd was silent but for one ahole. It was magical. After the concert, as we got up to leave, the love of my life looked me in the eyes and said "My favorite thing about going to these concerts is watching you". It just might be the most beautiful thing any woman has ever said to any man. That was nearly four decades ago. Thanks so much David, Stephen, and Graham
@joeynarciso94
Such a beautiful story, pretty remarkable for such young people ...
@elizabethlinsay9193
Wow!
@DrJohn-rl9zg
@Elizabeth Linsay forty years later, I still remember..... WOW.
@dubmaster01
Beautiful reality for you two! Respect
@jaydemo5792
Almost too incredible to believe.......But almost don't count 😜
@tomsuter2471
RIP David. This wonderful song will live forever. This song has all the feels for me and the vibe is incredible.
@paulzendo6079
You name it ❣️ May David have eternal fun , among all the others , playing The Great Gig In The Sky 🙏🎼 🎶
@carolinewoodward1016
I second that emotion.
@debradykes9793
@Paul Zendo 0aa