1) an English folk-rock gr… Read Full Bio ↴There is more than one artist with this name:
1) an English folk-rock group from Newcastle-upon-Tyne;
2) a Black Metal band from Volgograd, Russia;
3) a Pagan/Folk Black Metal from Solingen, Germany;
1) Lindisfarne were an English folk-rock group from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, formed in 1968. The original line up was Alan Hull, Ray Jackson, Ray Laidlaw, Rod Clements, and Simon Cowe.
The group released their debut Nicely out of Tune in 1970. Their second album, Fog on the Tyne, was produced by Bob Johnson, who had also worked with Bob Dylan, to whom Alan Hull was being compared at the time. Following their third album, Dingly Dell, the group split and Lindisfarne (Mark II) continued with new members, and produced a few more albums before disbanding in 1975, seemingly for good.
1978 saw the original group re-form, with the album Back and Fourth, and the hit single "Run for Home". This line-up continued for many years. New member Marty Craggs came in for the 1986 album Dance Your Life Away. Ray 'Jacka' Jackson eventualy left to work in London, and then Si Cowe left to run a brewery in Canada. Jackson now (2008) has a career as an artist, specialising in colourful paintings of buses, a passion since he was a boy. He also played the mandolin on Rod Stewart's "Maggie May".
The group celebrated their twenty-fifth anniversary of performing at Newcastle City Hall in the summer of 1995. Less than six months later Hull died of a heart attack. There was a period of consolidation for the group, which decided to continue - going back to their folk roots, and new members Billy Mitchell, Dave Denholm and Ian Thompson. This line up continued for several years until the departure of Marty Craggs. After this the three remaining members continued to tour as an acoustic trio before calling it a day with a final gig on 17th May 2004.
2) a Black Metal band from Russia, Volgograd.
3) a Pagan/Folk Black Metal from Germany, Solingen.
Clear White Light
Lindisfarne Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The clear white light
Is going to guide us on?
Running along the ground singing a song in the morning light
Follow flowery fields as far as out of sight
Turning your head to the clouds and the skies and the trees
'cause you never know what you might see.
Chorus:
Do you believe
The clear white light
Is going to guide us on
The way?
Seeing the sun as it wants to be seen by ev'ryone
Melting the sky throw a hole in your eye where the magic comes
Turning your heads to the skies with the clouds in your eyes
'cause you never know what you might find
Chorus:
Do you believe
The clear white light
Is going to guide us on
The way?
Now is the time to be loving and kind to your fellow men
Seeing the sympathy starting out all over again
Now is the time to give love just one more go
'cause you never know what you might know
Chorus:
And I believe
The clear white light
is going to guide us on
Yes I believe
The clear white light
Is going to guide us on
The lyrics to Lindisfarne's song "Clear White Light" are a contemplation on the power and guidance of something greater than ourselves, represented symbolically by the clear white light. The lyrics suggest that by being attuned to the natural world around us, we can open ourselves up to the possibility of discovering something profound and transformative. The opening stanza, "Running along the ground singing a song in the morning light / Follow flowery fields as far as out of sight / Turning your head to the clouds and the skies and the trees / 'cause you never know what you might see," is an invitation to connect with our surroundings, to be open to the unexpected, and to let ourselves be guided by what we encounter.
The chorus asks the question "Do you believe / The clear white light / Is going to guide us on / The way?" It is a challenge to the listener to reflect on their own beliefs and their capacity for faith and hope. The bridge shifts the focus to the present moment and the importance of kindness and love in our relationships with others. "Now is the time to be loving and kind to your fellow men / Seeing the sympathy starting out all over again / Now is the time to give love just one more go / 'cause you never know what you might know."
Overall, the song is an invitation to live with openness, curiosity, and kindness, to be attuned to the world around us, and to be open to the possibility of discovering something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
Do you believe
Asking if the listener believes in something
The clear white light
A metaphor for a guiding force, potentially positive and pure
Is going to guide us on?
Asking if the guiding force will continue to provide direction
Running along the ground singing a song in the morning light
Imagery of moving forward joyfully
Follow flowery fields as far as out of sight
Encouraging exploration and following one's path
Turning your head to the clouds and the skies and the trees
Suggesting paying attention to and finding inspiration in the natural world
'cause you never know what you might see.
Encouraging openness and curiosity to new experiences
Seeing the sun as it wants to be seen by ev'ryone
Encouraging individual perspectives while also promoting shared experiences
Melting the sky throw a hole in your eye where the magic comes
Metaphor for seeing the world with wonder and magic
Turning your heads to the skies with the clouds in your eyes
Imagery of wonder and exploration
'cause you never know what you might find
Encouraging openness to possibilities and new experiences
Now is the time to be loving and kind to your fellow men
Encouraging compassion and empathy towards others
Seeing the sympathy starting out all over again
Hopeful imagery of compassion and empathy spreading
Now is the time to give love just one more go
Encouraging perseverance in love and relationships
'cause you never know what you might know
Encouraging openness to learning and growth
And I believe
Stating the singer's own belief
The clear white light
Referring back to the guiding force mentioned earlier
is going to guide us on
Affirming the belief in the guiding force
Yes I believe
Reiterating the singer's own belief
The clear white light
Referring back to the guiding force mentioned earlier
Is going to guide us on
Affirming the belief in the guiding force
Contributed by Christopher E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@jadelouisewilliams3325
The sound of my upbringing. My dad loved them met them on a few occasions ans drank with Allan. I’m losing my dad to cancer and I find myself listening to them all the more. My full childhood sounds just like this ❤️
@mariecallum4004
Aww hun..
So sorry..
My late father took me to see them in Newcastle..
Sunderland lass but hey..
North is North..
Stay strong & all my love to you , your da & your family ..
Heart is with you !!😘😘🖤🖤
@jennytalia226
The first lot of the Legendary Xmas concerts at The City Hall will forever be with me, and every Christmas I think back to such brilliant times. I don't know why, but out of all the terrific Lindisfarne songs played at those concerts, this one always brought a tear to my eyes. Thanks guys, you will never know the impact those songs and shows had on thousands of peoples lives. Alan, you were so underated as a songwriter, but every Geordie can sing every one of those beautiful songs even after so many years since you sadly passed. Christmas isn't the same without those City Hall shows, I was so lucky to have been there to witness something so magical.
@zthetha
What a beautiful song - cleaner, purer than any hymn... utterly magnificent.
@keego2001
Standing in front of the stage for the clear white light as the last song...Privileged to hear it done by the late great Alan Hull.
@EdinaCloud
Heard this great blast from the past today on the wonderful Radio Caroline. Marvellous!
@silviapistone1794
Who loves them aswell as me? Aaaand... thank U, Afro...U didn' want to listen to anything else in your last days here...💚💛❤
@peterrear2864
one of my favourite s of al songs , memories of the city hall concerts and atmosphere like no other I have been to
@davidcouch572
First album I ever bought.. Still great after over 40 years
@walterego2314
+David Couch One of my first too - certainly the first GOOD one LOL