The band Manning has been in existence since 1999, formed around singer / songwriter / multi-instrumentalist Guy Manning.
Guy was previously an associate of Parallel or 90 Degrees (PO90) and also a founder member of the internationally respected, The Tangent.
Guy has an impressive record of having a new Manning album ready for release annually!!
"Manning produce an eclectic mix of music which broadly falls within the 'progressive' genre, but in reality spans many different musical forms from beautiful ballads and folk-tinged songs through to awesome all-out rock workouts and true progressive epics – no two songs sound the same!"
Other members of Manning are Rick Henry (drums and percussion). Kris Hudson-Lee (basses and backing vocals), Julie King (additional keyboards, percussion and backing vocals), David Million (lead guitars and backing vocals) and Martin Thiselton (keyboards).
Such a sizeable line-up is able to reproduce the quintessentialy symphonic Manning sound on stage!
Manning have also been very fortunate in having some terrific musicians making Special guest appearances on the albums including Andy Tillison (The Tangent and PO90), Laura Fowles (Hed Kandi), Ian 'Walter' Fairbairn (Lindisfarne/Jack the Lad and Hedgehog Pie), Steve Dundon (Molly Bloom), Angela Gordon (Mostly Autumn), Martin Orford (IQ), Marek Arnold (Toxic Smile and Seven steps to the Green Door), Leon Camfield (Tinyfish), Chlöe Herington (Knifeworld), John Young (Lifesigns,John Young Band and Bonnie Tyler).
The band experienced a surge of interest and support, with the 2007 album “Songs From The Bilston House” being nominated for "Album of the Year" by the Classic Rock Society (CRS) and a series of storming headline gigs in support of the acclaimed* “Number Ten” album (released 2009).
*Please see the Press page for all the published MANNING reviews.
2010 was a milestone breakthrough year for this remarkable band with some amazing festival slots including the first venture over the Atlantic to appear at the RoSfest in Gettysburg, PA. USA in May.
The eleventh MANNING album "Charlestown" was released in Oct 2010 and was again nominated by both the CRS and the Italian ProgAwards for the "Album of the Year".
2011 continued all the hard work with even more UK dates and a brand new (12th) studio album "Margaret's Children" released to a great set of reviews and support!
2012 has been a very important and busy year for live
shows including the first European shows and an afternoon headliner performance at the fabulous Summers End Festival...they also released a new "Akoustik" album of re-imagined / re-worked Manning pieces in an 'unplugged' format...
2013 sees more gigs booked in the diary and the release of the next (14th) MANNING Studio album "The Root, the Leaf and the Bone"
The Dream
Manning Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Learn a little as you make the longest journey
Feeling, searching, reaching out with all your heart
Hoping for a final place to rest
A long time has passed since I stood at the galleon wheel
With a vision of the days that were to come
And the harbour lights were left only as a remembered glow
Memories of the darkest shadows pull at the dream
Clouds from one thousand doubting days
The hand that struggles upwards through the desert floor
To fight the sand that bleeds it
A long time has passed since I stood at the galleon wheel
With a vision of the days that were to come
And the harbour lights were left only as a remembered glow
And my soul with a torch aflame before me, going home
And I’m following the Northern star…going home again…
Far beyond horizons
Where the Sun will never set
I turn the old wheel slowly and head back from the West
I’m leaving on the morning
On a silent mirror Sea
Following the current that leads me to my dream
Rely upon the instincts of the ‘well trod’ path
Where every footfall is an echo of one before
Never looking backwards at the graven place
Searching for a final place to rest
A long time has passed since I stood at the galleon wheel
With a vision of the days that were to come
And the harbour lights were left only as a remembered glow
And my soul with a torch aflame before me
And I’m following the Northern Star...on my way home
The lyrics of Manning's song, "The Dream," tell the story of a journey towards an uncertain but hopeful destination. The singer embarks on this journey with only a dream to guide them, and the path ahead seems unclear. As they progress, they gain knowledge and experience, learning as they go along. They reach out with their heart, hoping to find a place to rest.
The song explores the themes of perseverance, hope, and the struggle to achieve one's dreams. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the journey towards the dream, with its ups and downs, and the memories that tug at the singer's heart. The galleon wheel, the remembered glow of the harbour lights, and the struggle to fight the sand in the desert symbolize the many roadblocks and doubts that the singer has overcome on their journey.
The lyrics also suggest that the singer is guided by a higher power, represented by the Northern Star. This symbolism reinforces the idea that the journey towards the dream is not just a physical one, but also a spiritual one. The lyric "Never looking backwards at the graven place" represents the concept that the singer has let go of the past and is focused entirely on moving forward towards their dream.
Overall, "The Dream" is a powerful and moving song that encourages listeners to never give up on their dreams, no matter how uncertain or difficult the journey may seem.
Line by Line Meaning
Following a hope, a dream, the way seems so unclear
Starting on a journey towards a dream, the path ahead appears uncertain and vague
Learn a little as you make the longest journey
With every step taken towards the destination, new knowledge is gained on the longest journey
Feeling, searching, reaching out with all your heart
Having an emotional and passionate desire to find the dream, constantly searching with a deep sense of longing
Hoping for a final place to rest
Wishing for a peaceful home at the conclusion of the arduous journey towards the dream
A long time has passed since I stood at the galleon wheel
It has been a significant amount of time since being in control of the course of life
With a vision of the days that were to come
Having an idea of what the future would hold
And the harbour lights were left only as a remembered glow
The memories of what once was now fade to a dim, distant image
And my soul with a torch aflame before me, going home
The soul is illuminated with an inner light, driving towards the final destination
Memories of the darkest shadows pull at the dream
Negative thoughts and experiences haunt the dream, making it difficult to achieve
Clouds from one thousand doubting days
Doubts from countless days can block the path to the dream, making it hard to see the way forward
The hand that struggles upwards through the desert floor
Pushing through a difficult and barren environment towards the dream
To fight the sand that bleeds it
Facing a tough and unforgiving environment that can harm and weaken the spirit
Far beyond horizons
Looking beyond the current scope of vision
Where the Sun will never set
A place where the light never fades
I turn the old wheel slowly and head back from the West
Steering the vessel of life towards the East, from where the Sun rises and new beginnings emerge
I’m leaving on the morning
Setting off towards the dream in the fresh light of the day
On a silent mirror Sea
Traveling on a tranquil and peaceful sea, reflecting the stillness of the dream
Following the current that leads me to my dream
Going with the flow of life and following the signs that lead towards the dream
Rely upon the instincts of the ‘well trod’ path
Depend on the wisdom and experience of those who have gone before in order to reach the dream
Where every footfall is an echo of one before
Every step taken is a repetition of those who have gone before, following the same footsteps towards the dream
Never looking backwards at the graven place
Never dwelling on the past mistakes or failures that were encountered on the journey
And I’m following the Northern Star...on my way home
Guided by a celestial light towards the final destination, on the way back to the home of the dream
Contributed by Connor F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.