The band's onetime stated aim was to "expand the frontiers of contemporary popular music at the risk of becoming very unpopular," although this stance was to alter significantly with time. While never achieving the commercial heights of progressive rock contemporaries such as Jethro Tull, Genesis, Yes or Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Gentle Giant was considered to be one of the most experimental bands in the genre (as well as one of the most experimental rock bands of the 1970s).
Gentle Giant's music was considered complex even by progressive rock standards, drawing on a broad swathe of music including folk, soul, jazz, and classical music. Unlike many of their progressive rock contemporaries, their "classical" influences ranged beyond the Romantic and incorporated mediaeval, baroque, and modernist chamber music elements. The band also had a taste for broad themes for their lyrics, drawing inspiration not only from personal events but from philosophy and the works of both François Rabelais and R. D. Laing.
Band members:
Members of classic lineup listed in bold.
Derek Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, recorder, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, "Shulberry" (3-string custom electric ukulele) (1970-1980)
Ray Shulman - bass, trumpet, violin, vocals, viola, drums, percussion, recorder, guitar (1970-1980)
Kerry Minnear - keyboards, lead vocals (on recordings only), cello, vibraphone, xylophone, recorder, guitar, bass, drums (1970-1980)
Gary Green - guitar, mandolin, vocals, recorder, bass, drums, xylophone (1970-1980)
John Weathers - drums, percussion, vibraphone, xylophone, vocals, guitar (1972-1980)
Phil Shulman - lead vocals, saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, recorder, percussion (1970–72)
Martin Smith - drums, percussion (1970–1971)
Malcolm Mortimore - drums, percussion (1971–1972)
The Advent of Panurge
Gentle Giant Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Look do you see the man who is poor but rich.
What do you wish, and where do you go,
Who are you, where are you from,
Will you tell me your name?
Rest awhile, call me your friend.
Please stay with me I'd like to help.
How can I speak when I'm dry and my
Throat is burning. So bring me aid
And I'll answer your doubts.
Friend in need I'd like your help
Please take me home I'll stay with you.
Then said he fair Pantagruel
My name is Panurge and I have come from Hell.
Look at my friend
Look all around you
Look at my friend
Take all round you.
Hey, Friend
?
So brotherhood was made as their bond
Carried him home and provide for his needs
And his shelter, this day was done
As no other the like.
Faithfully their vow was made and from
That day they were as one.
The Advent of Panurge by Gentle Giant is a song that is full of mysterious and thought-provoking lyrics. The song begins with the line "There coming over Charaton Bridge," as if the listeners are standing on a bridge and seeing someone approaching. The next line, "Look do you see the man who is poor but rich," is intriguing because it asks the listeners to notice a man who is both poor and rich. The song goes on to ask questions like "What do you wish, and where do you go?" and "Who are you, where are you from, will you tell me your name?" which are all important questions in establishing someone's identity.
The singer in the song is seeking aid because his throat is burning and he can't speak. He requests the help of the listeners to take him home and provide shelter for him. His name is revealed to be Panurge and he claims to have come from Hell. It is unclear whether this is meant to be taken literally or figuratively. Nevertheless, the main message of the song is that the bond of brotherhood can be formed quickly between strangers who help each other in times of need.
Line by Line Meaning
There coming over Charaton Bridge
A group of people are approaching the bridge at Charaton.
Look do you see the man who is poor but rich.
Can you see the man who appears to be poor, but has hidden riches?
What do you wish, and where do you go,
What are your desires and where are you heading?
Who are you, where are you from,
Can you tell me your name and place of origin?
Will you tell me your name?
Can you share with me your name?
Rest awhile, call me your friend.
Take a break and consider me your friend.
Please stay with me I'd like to help.
I would be pleased if you stayed with me, and I offer to assist you.
Then he said,
The man replied,
How can I speak when I'm dry and my Throat is burning. So bring me aid And I'll answer your doubts.
I cannot speak when my throat is parched, is there a way you can help me quench my thirst? Then I'll be able to answer your questions.
Friend in need I'd like your help Please take me home I'll stay with you.
As a friend in need, I ask you to help me go to your home where I can rest.
Then said he fair Pantagruel My name is Panurge and I have come from Hell.
Then Panurge introduced himself as having come from a place of great suffering.
Look at my friend Look all around you Look at my friend Take all round you.
Observe my companion, and take a moment to survey your surroundings.
Hey, Friend ?
A question from the singer to their supposed friend.
So brotherhood was made as their bond Carried him home and provide for his needs And his shelter, this day was done As no other the like.
The newfound kinship became their tie, as they took Panurge home and provided food and shelter, sharing an exceptional day together.
Faithfully their vow was made and from That day they were as one.
They pledged to remain true to each other, and from that day forward, became as family.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: DEREK VICTOR SHULMAN, KERRY CHURCHILL MINNEAR, PHILIP ARTHUR SHULMAN, RAY SHULMAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@franciscojavierrodriguez8236
There coming over Charaton Bridge
Look do you see the man who is poor but rich
What do you wish and where do you go
Who are you, where are you from
Will you tell me your name?
Rest awhile, call me your friend
Please stay with me I'd like to help
Then he said, "How can I speak when I'm dry
And my throat is burning
So bring me aid and I'll answer your doubts
Friend in need I'd like your help
Please take me home I'll stay with you"
Then said he, "Fair Pantagruel
My name is Panurge and I have come from Hell"
Look at my friend, look around my friend
Look at my friend, look all around you
Look at my friend, take all round you
Look at my friend, look all around you
Hey, friend, look at my friend
[?]
Perque deos deasque omnes obtestatus sum, ut si quae vos pietas
[?]
So brotherhood was made as their bond
Carried him home and provide for his needs
And his shelter this day was done as no other the like
Faithfully their vow was made and from that day they were as one
Then said he, "Fair Pantagruel
My name is Panurge and I have come from Hell"
@Chuckles..
They should have gotten a Grammy Award for Octopus. It's such a fine record.
@dudydude3287
Grammy awards weren't a thing yet.
@jimsanderson4180
@@dudydude3287 The first Grammy was awarded in 1959, decades before GG
@thomassicard3733
Who needs a Grammy when you're Gentle Giant? You got an Infinity.
@jonesy2111
The best music and art in general seldom gets the recognition it deserves
@jakobsprogworld
The Avent of Panurge: classic
Octopus: in my opinion the best Gentle Giant album, one of the very best progressive rock albums ever recorded and one of the very best albums in music history.
@mindjob
It’s a toss up between Octopus and Glass House
@timcardona9962
@@mindjob I think you mean Octopus and Free Hand ;)
@eneada2618
@@timcardona9962 All of GG's albums up until In'terview are fantastic.
@kevinc9625
The Missing Piece is another classic!