They formed in 1979 after Vangelis had been rumoured to replace Rick Wakeman in Yes a few years before. Anderson had contributed to Vangelis' albums "Heaven and Hell", "See You Later" and "Opera Sauvage".
They released a total of four albums with Anderson writing the lyrics and Vangelis composing the music: "Short Stories" in 1980, "The Friends of Mr. Cairo" in 1981, "Private Collection" in 1983, and "Page of Life" in 1991, which got re-released in 1998 with some additional tracks of which Vangelis reportedly did not approve. There are also two compilations, called "The Best of Jon & Vangelis" (1984) and "Chronicles" (1994)
He Is Sailing
Jon & Vangelis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With garlands of flowers
In Majestical fusion we see tonight
Onto this sacred reunion of pleasure
They row as a rhythm, ten-thousands of millions
They touch the light
King is sailing they say
King is sailing they say
King is sailing this day of days, of days
Cocasaya Tay Toca
Drums beating faster through harder excitement
The wings bring the angels
They singing of truth that this day has come
Older than oldest religions have promised
A promise is kept on this golden reflection
His kingdom come
King is coming they sing
King is coming they know
King is coming we sing
King is coming we know, Kotao, Kotao, Kotao
All the souls he to touch
All the souls he to touch
All the souls he to touch
All the millions of souls he to touch, he to touch
Cocasaya Kotao Kotao
Heaven set sail in his ship full of light
He transcends all our love
To caress all our fears
In a moment divine
Weakest and strongest will dance in delight
All illuminous our saviour, they bringing him forth
All will sing to the night
Our true Kingdom come [Repeat x 3]
Higher, then higher, then higher, then higher, then higher
Ahhs...
The lyrics of "He Is Sailing" by Jon & Vangelis depict a mystical and majestic scene of a king sailing on his ship towards the tropics, accompanied by ten thousands of millions of rowing souls. The arrival of the king, who is described as a savior and a transcendent being, is heralded by the beating of drums and the singing of angels. As the king approaches, all souls are filled with joy and dance in delight, regardless of their strength or weakness. The kingdom that the king brings is promised by older religions and is finally here, represented by the golden reflection on the water. The chorus repeats the message that the king is sailing and coming, and that all souls will be touched by his presence.
The song can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the listener's cultural and personal context. Some may see it as a religious or spiritual allegory, while others may perceive it as a mythological or fairy-tale narrative. The use of exotic and archaic words and phrases, such as "Cocasaya Tay Toca" and "Kotao," adds to the otherworldly atmosphere and invites the listener to imagine a realm beyond the ordinary.
Overall, "He Is Sailing" is a poetic and evocative song that transports the listener to a realm of beauty and wonder. Whether seen as a metaphor for a spiritual journey or simply as a fanciful story, it conveys a message of hope and salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Out of the mist into tropical splendor
Emerging from obscurity into a glorious paradise
With garlands of flowers
Adorned with natural beauty
In Majestical fusion we see tonight
An awe-inspiring blending of elements
Onto this sacred reunion of pleasure
Joining together in a joyous gathering
They row as a rhythm, ten-thousands of millions
Moving in harmony, a vast number of people
They touch the light
Reaching for enlightenment
King is sailing they say
Reportedly, the ruler is on a voyage
King is sailing we hear
The claim of the monarch's journey reaches us
King is sailing they say
According to rumor, the king is traveling
King is sailing this day of days, of days
This is a historic and momentous day for the monarch's journey
Cocasaya Tay Toca
This is a nonsensical phrase
Drums beating faster through harder excitement
Percussion growing more intense in excitement
The wings bring the angels
Wings symbolize divine intervention
They singing of truth that this day has come
Singing about the realization of a long-awaited truth
Older than oldest religions have promised
Fulfilling promises older than any established religion
A promise is kept on this golden reflection
A vow is fulfilled through a reflection of light
His kingdom come
The arrival of the king's authoritative rule
King is coming they sing
There is a song foretelling the ruler's arrival
King is coming they know
The people are aware of the king's impending arrival
King is coming we sing
We sing of the king's coming
King is coming we know, Kotao, Kotao, Kotao
We are aware of the king's arrival
All the souls he to touch
Reaching out to touch every soul
All the millions of souls he to touch, he to touch
Aiming to touch millions of souls that need guidance
Cocasaya Kotao Kotao
Nonsensical phrase
Heaven set sail in his ship full of light
Ascending to heaven in a luminous vessel
He transcends all our love
Exceeding human love and understanding
To caress all our fears
Easing our anxieties through divine intervention
In a moment divine
In a moment of sacred transcendence
Weakest and strongest will dance in delight
Bringing together those who are vulnerable and powerful in mutual celebration
All illuminous our saviour, they bringing him forth
The savior is arriving, surrounded by light and being welcomed
All will sing to the night
Everyone will celebrate loudly and happily
Our true Kingdom come [Repeat x 3]
Our ideal future is coming, to be repeated three times
Higher, then higher, then higher, then higher, then higher
No clear meaning, just repetition emphasizing ascent
Ahhs...
A vocalization expressing emotion, but with no clear meaning
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: EVANGELOS PAPATHANASSIOU
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@hectorlabbe
Master piece!!! What else can you say when this song transport you in the sky by giving you wings… There will never be another Vangelis… Never!!!! I hope the new generation is listening otherwise good luck…
@gregdietz5183
The person who put together the visuals for this video did a superb job. 👏 👏
@albertofranca5009
Thank you.
@andrewforrest108
absolutely!
@alainjacquesg7812006
Totally agreed
@englishgentesq7154
Agreed; perfect accompaniment to this wonderful song.
@laviejaesfinge8315
R.I.P Mr Vangelis,and thank you!
@katiamartinsdeabreu2910
VANGELIS CONTINUA VIVO EM NOSSAS MENTES E CORAÇÕES 🙏🌹🕊✨️💗🌹🕊✨️💗🌹🕊✨️💗🌹🕊✨️💗
@marisachodkiewicz5215
It’s so beautiful, I’m in tears❤️🔥. The collaborations between these artist were majestic. RIP the GREAT VAN GELIS 😢
@london19657
Timeless music. It never ages but we do..