The Earth Band combines the stylistic approach of progressive rock with Mann's jazz-influenced Moog synthesizer playing and keen ear for melody. Besides producing their material, a staple of the band's music and live performances from the beginning has also been relying on covers of songs by other modern pop/rock artists, notably Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, in their progressive rock style.
Mann's interest in English 20th-century classical music saw him adapt Gustav Holst's Planets Suite and turn a version of the "Jupiter" movement into a UK hit entitled "Joybringer" (perhaps surprisingly excluded from the 1973 album Solar Fire).[1] Other classical music adaptations include "Questions" from the 1976 album The Roaring Silence (which is based on the main theme of Franz Schubert's Impromptu in G flat Major), "Solar Fire is in Earth, the Circle, Pt. 1" (which uses the melody from Claude Debussy's "Jimbo's Lullaby") and "Starbird" also from 1976's The Roaring Silence (which is based upon Igor Stravinski's ballet The Firebird).
The Mighty Quinn
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Everybody's building ships and boats
Everybody's in despair, every girl and boy
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody's gonna jump for joy
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
I like to go just like the rest, I like my sugar sweet
But jumping queues and makin' haste, just ain't my cup of meat
Everyone's beneath the trees, feedin' pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
All the pigeons gonna run to him
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Let me do what I wanna do, I can't decide 'em all
Just tell me where to put 'em and I'll tell you who to call
Nobody can get no sleep, there's someone on everyone's toes
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody's gonna wanna doze
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the Mighty Quinn
The song Mighty Quinn by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band tells the story of a mysterious and powerful figure called Quinn the Eskimo who is coming to town. The lyrics are inviting everyone to come out and see the mighty Quinn, who is capable of bringing joy to all who encounter him. The first stanza repeats the invitation to come and see Quinn, emphasizing that he is a unique and remarkable person. The second stanza describes how everyone is occupied with various pursuits, but they are all feeling despair. However, when Quinn arrives, they will all be full of joy and hope.
The third stanza describes the singer’s personal preferences and dislikes, noting that they don’t like to rush or be told what to do. The fourth stanza describes a scene where everyone is gathered under some trees and feeding pigeons, but when Quinn arrives, even the pigeons will be drawn to him. The final stanza is more personal, with the singer expressing their desire to do what they want and not worrying about making decisions. Everyone is sleepless and agitated until Quinn arrives, when they will all finally be able to rest.
Overall, the song seems to be about the power and influence of one charismatic person who can transform a community and bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all without, come all within
Everyone is welcome to come, whether they are outside or inside the place.
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Once you meet Quinn, you'll know he's truly one of a kind.
Everybody's building ships and boats
People are trying to build things that will take them away from their present situations.
Some are building monuments
Others are trying to create lasting legacies.
Others jotting down notes
Some people are writing down observations of what's going on around them.
Everybody's in despair
Everyone is feeling down and hopeless about the state of things.
Every girl and boy
This is a statement that everyone, regardless of people's genders and ages, is feeling anxious.
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Once Quinn arrives, things will change for the better.
Everybody's gonna jump for joy
People will be happy and joyful, and there will be a sense of relief.
I like to go just like the west, I like my sugar sweet
The singer is expressing his preference for traveling and liking sweet food.
But jumping queues and making haste
But he doesn't like cutting in line and rushing around.
Just ain't my cup of meat
This means that the singer is not up for doing those things.
Everyone's beneath the trees feeding pigeons on a limb
People are trying to find solace and comfort in nature.
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Once Quinn arrives, people will have something else to focus on.
All the pigeons gonna run to him
People will be attracted to Quinn and they will all gather around him.
Let me do what I wanna do, I can't decide at all
The singer is indecisive and wants to do what he wants to do without thinking too much.
Just tell me where to put it
He wants someone to tell him where to do something.
And I'll tell you who to call
He promises to give the name of a person to contact for assistance.
Nobody can get no sleep, there's someone on everyone's toes
People are anxious and can't relax because something is troubling them.
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Once Quinn arrives, he will have a calming presence.
Everybody's gonna want to doze
People will finally be able to relax and feel at ease.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BOB DYLAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
BMA B
Everybody's building ships and boats
Some are building monuments
Others jotting down notes
Everybody's in despair
Every girl and boy
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody's gonna jump for joy
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Let me do what I wanna do, I like my sugar sweet
But jumping queues and making haste
It ain't my cup of meat
Everyone's beneath the trees feeding pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
All the pigeons gonna run to him
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Let me do what I wanna do, I like my sugar sweet
But jumping queues and making haste
Ain't my cup of meat
Nobody can get no sleep, there's someone on everyone's toes
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
Everybody's gonna want to doze
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
Come all without, come all within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn
[repeat to fade]
TorzJohnson
I can still remember the day I bought this album right after it was released, and dropped the needle in the groove. I was 17 years old and the future looked bright as hell. Little did we know how it was really going to be...
Diego2112Gaming
Man, back when I was 17 the future was so bright I had to wear shades (yeah-cheesy reference). These days, man... It's music like this that keeps me going. Because it's a messed up crapshot.
ToeKnee B
This probably is the best version of a live recording. Great stuff
Chet Utterback
I was on the rare occasion to be in a bar with 3 other sound engineers plus myself and asked everyone to write down on a cocktail napkin what they all thought was the best live recording and we all 4 agreed that this was it ! No need to say anything else. Chet the chicken man / soundman 🐓🎼
Patrick O'Connor
@Chet Utterback Well, they would be the best critics. But yes, Manfred Mann was certainly on top of his music knowledge. My favorite album of his came out in 1979 my senior year in high school (Angel Station) another work of art.
REYMUNDO GONZALEZ
El mejor y acertado comentario
Paul Turnet
Not probably, this, of all of the versions that I've heard is "definitely " the best by far (in my opinion of course) .
Neverbefore 27
👍👍
photopicker
Some tunes are so well written and performed they become legendary, anthems of an era, eternal reflections of divine providence, or simply put ... awesome. This is one of those tunes. It will live forever. While all the B tracks fade to dust the classics bear the torch of the greatest musicality known to humanity.
R Choquette
there are No B tracks on this Entire lp however...