Klaatu was a Canadian progressive rock band formed in 1973 and disbanded in… Read Full Bio ↴Klaatu was a Canadian progressive rock band formed in 1973 and disbanded in 1982. Members John Woloschuk, Dee Long and Terry Draper lived in Toronto. They released five studio albums, the most famous of which is the 1976 debut 3:47 EST (AKA Klaatu), which, due to a rumor started by a DJ, was believed by some to be a front for new work by the Beatles. The album's artwork contained no credits for the performers, and there were at times vocal similarities with Lennon and McCartney. That album's song "Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft" became a hit when covered by carpenters. As the Beatle rumors subsided, subsequent albums garnered diminishing sales, and the fourth album, Endangered Species (1980), was produced by LA studio musicians with very little input from the band. Their last album, Magentalane (1981), was a return to the band's form (though on a smaller scale, without the elaborate orchestrations which characterized their first albums), but was never released in the US.

Klaatu was named after Michael Rennie's character in the classic science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951). The band has reunited a number of times since their breakup for small-scale live performances.

So Said The Lighthouse Keeper
Klaatu Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

"I am the very loneliest of all creatures in the universe
Indeed I am an epitaph to man
For having witnessed mass destruction like you've never dreamed and worse
I fear I shall bear witness once again."

So said the lighthouse keeper
As he struggled up the spiral stairs
Which led him to the laser flare which spanned the cosmic void

Where keeping constant vigil
He'd forewarn this gallant guard of guards
Beware all ships the space graveyard and its stones of asteroids

"For though my race was thought immune
Themselves they did consume
So be warned or be mourned tomorrow
And from your deafness do desist
And pray take heed of this
For your present course can only end in sorrow..."

So said the lighthouse keeper
As he wiped a teardrop from his nose
Upon which his spectacles rose and gazed out to the stars
And like a portrait still he stared
And sighing to himself declared
"I must invent the perfect prayer
Not yours, not mine, but ours

Which in the name of charity
Might lead us to eternal peace
The ultimate philosophy
Some simple, single phrase." The old and much encumbered man
Then came to rest with head in hand
He thought
And thought

And thought away
His last remaining day

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Klaatu's "So Said The Lighthouse Keeper" reflect the existential crisis of the titular character. As a lighthouse keeper, he is physically the loneliest being in the universe, yet he bears witness to the destruction of humanity that arises from consumption, and anticipates that he'll witness similar events in the future. Klaatu uses this metaphor to reflect upon the precarious nature of the human condition and the impact our actions have on the world around us.

The lighthouse keeper's struggle to reach the laser flare, which symbolizes the infinite and uncharted cosmic void, highlights his dedication to his role as a guardian of the ships navigating through space. He warns them of the space graveyard and its dangerous asteroids. The keeper's words are reminiscent of ancient prophecies, where a fated end awaits those that refuse to listen to wise counsel. The message here is clear: the state of humanity is fragile, and our careless actions may lead to catastrophic outcomes.

The lighthouse keeper's search for the perfect prayer represents his desire to create the epitome of a philosophical and ethical belief system that preaches love, kindness, and unity. He realizes that humanity's present course can only result in sorrow and seeks to guide them towards eternal peace through a timeless mantra that encompasses all of humanity. Moreover, the keeper's final thoughts signify the inevitability of human mortality and the ephemeral nature of existence.

Line by Line Meaning

I am the very loneliest of all creatures in the universe
The lighthouse keeper is extremely lonely and feels like he is the most isolated being in the entire universe.

Indeed I am an epitaph to man
The lighthouse keeper acknowledges that he serves as a testament to humanity and its past failures and potential future destruction.

For having witnessed mass destruction like you've never dreamed and worse
The lighthouse keeper has seen catastrophic events that are beyond human imagination, and fears that he will see them again.

I fear I shall bear witness once again.
The lighthouse keeper is afraid he will have to watch another tragedy unfold.

So said the lighthouse keeper
This line serves as a refrain and reminds the listener that everything being said is coming from the lighthouse keeper.

As he struggled up the spiral stairs
The lighthouse keeper is physically challenged and has a difficult time getting to his post, but does so anyway.

Which led him to the laser flare which spanned the cosmic void
The lighthouse keeper's station is equipped with a laser flare that illuminates the vastness of space in order to warn ships of danger.

Where keeping constant vigil
The lighthouse keeper is always watchful and on duty.

He'd forewarn this gallant guard of guards
The lighthouse keeper's duty is to alert other guards and sailors of impending danger.

Beware all ships the space graveyard and its stones of asteroids
The lighthouse keeper is warning all ships of the dangers of the space graveyard, which contains asteroids that could destroy them.

For though my race was thought immune
The lighthouse keeper's species was believed to be impervious to harm.

Themselves they did consume
However, his species ended up destroying itself through self-inflicted damage.

So be warned or be mourned tomorrow
The lighthouse keeper urges others to take heed of his warning, or risk regretting it later on.

And from your deafness do desist
The lighthouse keeper implores people to stop turning a deaf ear to his warnings.

And pray take heed of this
He hopes that people will listen to his message and act accordingly.

For your present course can only end in sorrow...
He believes that if people don't change their ways, the outcome will be disastrous.

As he wiped a teardrop from his nose
The lighthouse keeper is moved to tears by the gravity of his message.

Upon which his spectacles rose and gazed out to the stars
He looks up at the night sky to reflect on what he has said and how it relates to the vast expanse of the universe.

And like a portrait still he stared
The lighthouse keeper is deeply contemplative and fixated on his thoughts.

And sighing to himself declared
He expresses his internal thoughts and feelings with a heavy sigh.

"I must invent the perfect prayer
The lighthouse keeper feels that he must create the perfect words to express his message and encapsulate the ultimate philosophy.

Not yours, not mine, but ours"
He is seeking a universal message that transcends individual beliefs and speaks to everyone.

Which in the name of charity
The lighthouse keeper hopes that this prayer will be grounded in the ideals of compassion, kindness, and empathy.

Might lead us to eternal peace
He envisions a world in which people can live together in harmony and avoid the kind of destruction he has witnessed.

The ultimate philosophy
The lighthouse keeper is searching for a comprehensive and all-encompassing way of looking at the world and people's place in it.

Some simple, single phrase."
He believes that sometimes the most powerful messages are summed up in concise and straightforward statements.

The old and much encumbered man
The lighthouse keeper is elderly and has physical limitations.

Then came to rest with head in hand
He takes a moment to reflect and rest after speaking his mind.

He thought
His thoughts continue to race through his mind.

And thought
The lighthouse keeper continues to ponder his message and what he has seen.

And thought away
His final moments are spent in deep contemplation.

His last remaining day
The lighthouse keeper's time on Earth has come to an end.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: JOHN WOLOSCHUK

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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