Born on 9th March 1942 in Garnant, Wales, Cale spoke only Welsh until the age of seven, when he began to learn English at school. He went on to study viola at Goldsmiths College, University of London, where he became involved in avant garde music. He traveled to the U.S. to continue his studies, thanks to the help and influence of Aaron Copland, and met and worked with various avant-garde composers, including John Cage, while becoming fascinated with the new Anglo-American art movements.
In 1965, he co-founded the Velvet Underground with Lou Reed. Though best known for his work with the band, Cale has produced a massive body of work that ranges from tastefully arranged strings and piano over Dylan Thomas poetry to barely-suppressed, nigh-psychotic aggression set to high-energy avant-garde rock. Cale's style is almost impossible to pin down, as almost every album contains new experiments and influences. He is also well known as the producer of such works as the debuts of The Stooges, The Modern Lovers, and Patti Smith (the critically acclaimed 'Horses'). He also played a major role in Nico's 'The Marble Index'.
He's released some compilation works such as 'Seducing Down the Door: A Collection 1970-1990' that attempt to show the range and depth of his music. Cale was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as member of the Velvet Underground in 1996, and he was also appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2010. As the years have gone by, he's had a wide variety of tours, additionally dealing with his own personal demons.
Child
John Cale Lyrics
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To Halloween we go
Ten murdered oranges bled on board ship
Lends comedy to shame
The cattle graze bold uprightly
Seducing down the door
To saddle swords and meeting place
We have no place to go
Then wearily the footsteps worked
The hallelujah crowds
Too late but wait the long legged bait
Tripped uselessly around
Sebastopol Adrianapolis
The prayers of all combined
Take down the flags of ownership
The walls are falling down
A belt to hold
Columbus too, perimeters of nails
Perceived the Mama's golden touch
Good neighbors were we all
The lyrics of John Cale's song "Child's Christmas in Wales" are poetic, symbolic, and full of imagery that conjures up emotions and memories of childhood. The first stanza, "With mistletoe and candle green, to Halloween we go, ten murdered oranges bled on board ship, lends comedy to shame," describes the traditions and customs of holidays that the singer experienced in their childhood. The use of mistletoe and greenery evoke Christmas, while Halloween is symbolized by the mention of candles and the image of ten oranges that were apparently "murdered" on a ship. This line may be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of innocence, as the oranges could be a representation of innocent fruits that are sacrificed for human consumption.
The second stanza, "The cattle graze bold uprightly, seducing down the door, to saddle swords and meeting place, we have no place to go," is more abstract and filled with symbolism. It seems to suggest that the singer is feeling lost and aimless, unable to find direction or purpose in life. The image of cattle grazing boldly upright seems to signify a sense of pride or confidence, but this is countered by the mention of "seducing down the door," which suggests a vulnerability or weakness. The line "we have no place to go" reinforces this notion of feeling lost or displaced.
The final stanza, "A belt to hold, Columbus too, perimeters of nails, perceived the Mama's golden touch, good neighbors were we all," seems to be a reflection on the relationships and connections that the singer had with others. The mention of a belt and the references to Columbus and nails suggest that the singer is remembering a specific moment or experience, possibly one that involved physical labor or construction. The line "perceived the Mama's golden touch" may be interpreted as a reference to the singer's mother, who is remembered fondly as a nurturing and caring presence. The final line, "good neighbors were we all," suggests a sense of community and belonging, and reinforces the idea that the singer is reflecting on a specific time and place in their childhood.
Line by Line Meaning
With mistletoe and candle green
We decorate our homes with mistletoe and green candles during the holiday season
To Halloween we go
After Halloween, we enter the holiday season
Ten murdered oranges bled on board ship
The oranges were sacrificed during transport and were no longer fit for consumption
Lends comedy to shame
The situation is so absurd that it's funny but also sad
The cattle graze bold uprightly
The cows are grazing confidently and fearlessly
Seducing down the door
The cows entice us to open the door and let them in
To saddle swords and meeting place
We prepare for battle or conflict and gather at a meeting place
We have no place to go
We have no choice in the matter
Then wearily the footsteps worked
We walk with heavy steps, tired from the journey
The hallelujah crowds
The people are singing praise and celebration
Too late but wait the long legged bait
Even though it's too late, we still have hope for something that's unlikely to happen
Tripped uselessly around
We stumbled around without purpose or direction
Sebastopol Adrianapolis
These names could represent distant, obscure places far away from our current location
The prayers of all combined
Everyone's prayers and wishes are united and collective
Take down the flags of ownership
We need to let go of our pride and claim to possess or own things
The walls are falling down
The barriers and divisions between people are breaking down
A belt to hold
A metaphorical tool to keep things in place or to maintain balance
Columbus too, perimeters of nails
Referencing Christopher Columbus and the brutal, violent methods used to establish territory or perimeters
Perceived the Mama's golden touch
Perhaps referencing the divine, maternal touch or intervention in our lives
Good neighbors were we all
We were all once friendly, peaceful neighbors
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DAVIES CALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind