Although several of their singles are coveted by collectors of British 1960s rock, Les Fleur de Lys never came close to getting a hit. The group did release a number of fine singles in the mod-psychedelic style that has latterly become known as "freakbeat", with more of a soul music influence than most such British acts.
Les Fleur de Lys changed lineups about half a dozen times during their recording career, which roughly spanned 1965-1969. Drummer Keith Guster was the only constant member; some of the musicians passing through went on to commercial success with Journey and Jefferson Starship (keyboardist Pete Sears) and King Crimson (bassist Gordon Haskell). At the outset they recorded a couple of singles for the Immediate label that were produced by Jimmy Page (there remains some controversy about whether he played guitar on these as well). A cover of the Who's "Circles" featured the fluid, slightly distorted guitar lines that would become Les Fleur de Lys's most distinguishing characteristic. The 45s made no commercial impact, however, and Les Fleur de Lys helped sustain themselves in the late '60s by backing relocated South African singer Sharon Tandy.
Continuing to record intermittently on the side, the band managed a few decent slabs of freakbeat with "Hold On", "Mud in Your Eye", and their most psychedelic outing, the memorably titled "Gong with the Luminous Nose". As if the musical chairs of personnel weren't enough, they further confused record buyers with tracks issued under different names like Shyster and Chocolate Frog, as well as playing on singles by Tandy, Waygood Ellis, and John Bromley. One single issued under the moniker Rupert's People, the Procol Harum-like "Reflections of Charlie Brown", became a European hit of sorts; subsequent singles by Rupert's People, however, are not Les Fleur de Lys playing under an assumed name. They finally disbanded in 1969.
Keyboardist Pete Sears went on to play with Sam Gopal Dream then was a founding member of Jefferson Starship and went on to play with Hot Tuna, bassist Gordon Haskell replaced Greg Lake in King Crimson before going on a successful solo career, while guitarist Bryn Haworth recorded solo albums in the 1970s.
A compilation of their work was issued in 1996 under the name Reflections.
Gong With The Luminous Nose
Les Fleur De Lys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Til he fell in love with a Jumblie girl who came to shore one day
Wandering through the forest was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
Playing his pipe with silvery sqeaks, looking for his Jumblie girl
But she's gone away in a plastic sieve to quite another world
Over the hills of Shankley Bore, was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
Oblong oysters growing in that Grambolian sieve
Over the hills of Shankley Bore was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose
Said the Gong with the Luminous Nose
Gong with the Luminous Nose
Gong with the Luminous Nose
Gong with the Luminous Nose
Les Fleur De Lys's song "Gong With The Luminous Nose" is a whimsical, fantastical tale of a lovestruck gong who falls for a Jumblie girl who came to shore one day. The Gong is described as having a luminous nose and is seen wandering through the forest, playing his pipe with silvery squeaks, searching for his Jumblie girl. The Gong's love for the Jumblie girl is intense, but she has gone away in a plastic sieve to quite another world, leaving the Gong with his luminous nose behind.
The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of a magical world, full of enchantment and wonder. The hills of Shankley Bore are described as an otherworldly place where the Gong finds himself in search of his lost love. He lands at eve near the Zemmery Fidd, in the place where the Jumblies live. Oblong oysters are growing in a Grambolian sieve, adding to the fantastical imagery of the song.
Overall, "Gong With The Luminous Nose" is a charming and whimsical song that captures the listener's imagination and takes them on a journey to a magical land.
Line by Line Meaning
Ten long years ago, the Gong was happy and gay
The Gong was once happy and carefree, ten years ago.
'Til he fell in love with a Jumblie girl who came to shore one day
But then he fell in love with a Jumblie girl who arrived on the shore one day.
Wandering through the forest was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose wandered through the forest.
Playing his pipe with silvery sqeaks, looking for his Jumblie girl
He played his pipe with high-pitched notes and searched for his beloved Jumblie girl.
But she's gone away in a plastic sieve to quite another world
But she had left him in a plastic sieve to go to another world.
Over the hills of Shankley Bore, was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose was traveling over the hills of Shankley Bore.
Landing at eve near the Zemmery Fidd, just where the Jumblies live
He landed near the Zemmery Fidd, where the Jumblies reside, at dusk.
Oblong oysters growing in that Grambolian sieve
He saw oval-shaped oysters growing in a sieve from Grambolia.
Over the hills of Shankley Bore was the Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose was still traveling over the hills of Shankley Bore.
The Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose was on this journey.
The Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose was searching for his love once more.
Said the Gong with the Luminous Nose
The Gong with the Luminous Nose spoke.
Gong with the Luminous Nose
He was reminding himself of his mission.
Gong with the Luminous Nose
He repeated his name in his mind.
Gong with the Luminous Nose
He was focused on his purpose.
Contributed by Elena T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.