After the sessions, Murray was next to leave the band, succeeded by former Henry Cow bassist John Greaves. The second album, Of Queues and Cures (1978) included a number of guest musicians in addition to the core quartet. Stewart was the next to depart in early 1979, replaced by Gowen; the band finally folded in early 1980.
After Gowen's untimely death in May 1981 (due to leukemia), Stewart, Miller, Pyle and Greaves reconvened to perform a benefit concert, much of it unrecorded material by Gowen; this evolved into the 1982 tribute album D.S. Al Coda; all compositions were Gowen's, most previously unreleased.
Their 1978 record Of Queues and Cures is currently held as the third best record ever (of 53,000 candidate records) on the Gnosis web site. The original albums and additional archival tracks have been released on CD.
Elephants
National Health Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's a good place to be
Men have made their homes on the land
While the fishes all live in the sea
But although that's alright for them
I prefer to be somewhere that's slightly more hot
There's a place a bit nearer the sun
That I like quite a lot
I will build a home on Tenemos Roads
I will build a home on Tenemos Roads
The lyrics of National Health's song "Elephants" talks about the singer's desire to find a place beyond the world where he currently lives. The singer acknowledges that men have developed their homes on this planet, yet he feels a pull toward being somewhere that is more "hot". He yearns to build a home on Tenemos Roads, a place that is closer to the sun.
The singer's longing for Tenemos Roads can be interpreted in many ways. It could mean that he desires a utopian society that exists only in his imagination, one that is metaphorically "closer to the sun". It could also mean that the singer is looking for a different kind of life, one that offers him more freedom or excitement than the one he currently has on this world. All in all, the lyrics of "Elephants" represent an individual's hope for something better beyond their current reality.
Line by Line Meaning
If you've settled down on this world
If you have found a place to call home on Earth
It's a good place to be
Earth is a good place to live
Men have made their homes on the land
Humans have built their dwellings on the ground
While the fishes all live in the sea
Fish inhabit bodies of water, namely the ocean
But although that's alright for them
While living in water may be suitable for fish
I prefer to be somewhere that's slightly more hot
The singer prefers a somewhat warmer location
There's a place a bit nearer the sun
There is a location closer to the sun
That I like quite a lot
The singer enjoys this particular place
I will build a home on Tenemos Roads
The singer plans to construct a residence on Tenemos Roads
I will build a home on Tenemos Roads
The singer repeats their intention to build a home on Tenemos Roads
Contributed by Sarah C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.