Undaunted, he formed the quirkily-named Spock’s Beard with his brother, Alan. They recorded The Light with what money they could scrape together. Against all odds, it was a breakout success, sending shockwaves through the small genre’s community.
Over the next 10 years, Spock’s Beard released 10 critically acclaimed CDs and 2 DVDs, ascending to the top of the prog world. Neal also released 6 CDs and 3 DVDs with Transatlantic, the heralded prog supergroup comprised of the genre’s best musicians.
The proverbial wayward son, Neal had finally found the success he sought. On the outside he seemed to have it all. On the inside, however, something was missing.
Morse came to realize that for him, embracing the Christian faith was the fulfillment of his spiritual quest. His walk was at once gradual and sudden—and as with so many, completely unexpected. As he continued, his path increasingly revealed more of what his heart had sought all along. Yet he also began to find his career growing at odds with his faith. The rising spiritual tension and increasing commercial success finally came to a head with the release of Snow (2002), the group’s magnum opus...and swan song with Morse.
The extraordinary 2-CD rock opera, composed by Morse, was widely acclaimed as the group’s finest. But it was the end of the era. Neal felt God calling him out of his former musical life and into the unknown. He made the agonizing decision to leave both Spock’s Beard and Transatlantic. Despite having finally achieved the success he had long sought, Morse had to begin all over again; musically, emotionally and spiritually.
Neal then embarked upon the most ambitious musical project of his career. Entitled Testimony (2003), it chronicles his spiritual and musical journey in words and music. The 2 CD set spans over two hours as one continuous piece of music. Genre-wise, it ranges from a gospel choir to hard rock; from symphony orchestra to contemporary pop. Testimony was also Neal’s first of many albums with drummer Mike Portnoy (Dream Theater). A deftly woven musical tapestry, Testimony takes the listener on a fascinating journey as unique as the man behind it.
The ensuing world tour was captured on one unforgettable night for the 2-DVD set, Testimony Live (2004). Morse was recognized as a remarkably passionate and engaging performer by England’s Classic Rock Magazine, who included him in their “100 Greatest Frontmen of Rock” listing. The tour was awarded “Best Rock Tour” from the popular Dutch website, DPRP, besting nominees Peter Gabriel, Radiohead, RUSH and others.
Morse’s next studio album was a conceptual, progressive rock album entitled One. Mike Portnoy returned to perform on drums (in what is regarded as perhaps his finest performance), with up-and-coming bassist Randy George. They were joined by legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy. The result was a band-focused sound, harkening back to Neal’s Transatlantic work. Continuing in the tradition of Snow and Testimony, One proved epic in scope and sublime in nature.
For Morse’s third progressive rock album, he took a new approach, artistically. On Question (2005), Morse weaves a compelling storyline that owes as much to C.S. Lewis as Indiana Jones. His journey is a timeless quest—to find the biblical dwelling place of God. Joining Neal are more of prog’s brightest stars, including Mike Portnoy and Jordan Rudess (Dream Theater), Roine Stolt (Flower Kings, Transatlantic) and Steve Hackett (Genesis).
Bringing Question to the stage required an outstanding tour band. Fusing technical wizardry with musical nuance, a young band of unknowns proved themselves in the fire of Question’s musical rollercoaster. The audience responded with energy and passion, with the experience captured on CD. Unrestrained, raw, and magnificent, the resulting 2 CD set Question: Live (2007) was to be further unveiled on the DVD, Sola Sciptura & Beyond.
Neal's next prog epic was his most daring, stirring passions and controversy. On Sola Scriptura (2007), Morse tells a compelling and sometimes macabre tale of the darkness that inevitably falls when humankind tries to elevate itself to God. Focusing on the Church in the Middle Ages, Morse is unflinching in his description of its abuses. Neal frames the issue as just one example of faith separated from its true foundations. The album closes not with an end but a beginning—for us to consider our world, and feel called to illuminate it.
Question and Sola Scriptura were received as Neal’s best to date, and the ensuing tours were captured on film. The ensuing release, Sola Scriptura & Beyond (2008) was an extraordinary live concert 2-DVD set that brought both albums to life. Also included were generous selections from One and Testimony, a Transatlantic section, five songs from Spock’s Beard, and an hour of behind-the-scenes tour footage.
Less than three months later, Neal completed Lifeline (2008), his next studio album. Unlike his other releases, Lifeline wasn't a concept album. Free from this constraint, Neal stretched out in all directions. He revisited early Spock’s Beard, Snow, Transatlantic, his solo releases, and launched into new territory. Joining him once again were Mike Portnoy and Randy George. It was the album that fans of Neal and progressive rock the world over had waited for. Press coverage of the album reached from some of Europe's biggest mainstream music publications, to Rolling Stone in Mexico.
Twelve years after The Light, Neal continues to blaze new creative trails. In 2009, he shines brighter than ever in the next remarkable chapter in Neal's musical journey.
Waterfall
Neal Morse Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wake up wondering
Where you are in time
I find
No better place to go
Somewhere wandering there
I see the one
And I run, I run, I run
Here by the waterfall
Sweep my troubles all
Downstream
There at the riverside
Every tear I've cried
Washed clean
Please take my sorrow far from me
Dust never makes a sound
It creeps until your heart
is black and blind
My mind
Never knows how to rest
If I could have some peace under the sun
I'd run, I'd run, I'd run...
Here by the waterfall
Sweep my troubles all
Downstream
There at the riverside
Every tear I've cried
Washed clean
And I'll forever know I'm free
And I'll forever know I'm free
The lyrics of Neal Morse's song 'Waterfall' are about finding solace in nature and using it as a means to cleanse oneself of all their troubles and sorrows. The opening lines urge the listeners to set their dreams to go, and to wake up in wonder about where they are in time. This could be interpreted as a call to live in the present moment and recognize the importance of every passing second. The lyrics suggest that there is no better place to go than somewhere wandering, where one can find peace and clarity. The singer sees 'the one' and decides to run towards them, which could mean pursuing a goal or desire.
The chorus of the song talks about the waterfall, which serves as a metaphor for washing away all the troubles and sorrows. The singer seeks refuge at the riverside and hopes that every tear they have cried is washed clean. The lines, "Please take my sorrow far from me" depict a sense of desperation to get rid of all the pain and suffering. The second verse describes the despair that comes with a restless mind and how it never knows how to rest. The singer seeks some peace under the sun but doesn't know how to find it. The song ends on a hopeful note with the singer realizing that they are forever free from their troubles.
Line by Line Meaning
Set all your dreams to go
Directing someone to set their goals and aspirations before starting their journey.
Wake up wondering
Highlighting the feeling of being uncertain about what the future holds.
Where you are in time
Asking someone to reflect on their current position in life.
I find
The singer's personal experience of self-discovery and realization.
No better place to go
The singer's contentment with where they are at the moment, indicating that the present moment is the best place to be.
Somewhere wandering there
The singer's pondering of a place beyond the present moment.
I see the one
The singer's perception of finding an entity beyond themselves.
And I run, I run, I run
The singer's eagerness to reach the perceived entity and run towards their goals and aspirations.
Here by the waterfall
A physical location where the singer finds tranquility and serenity.
Sweep my troubles all
The singer's desire to rid themselves of any problems and concerns.
Downstream
Visualizing the singer's ability to let go of the past and move on towards the future.
There at the riverside
Depicting the point of acceptance and acknowledgement of the situation.
Every tear I've cried
All of the singer's struggles and hardships up until this point.
Washed clean
The cleansing and purifying nature of the waterfall represents a new beginning and hope for the future.
Please take my sorrow far from me
Asking for the ability to let go of any pain or anguish and move on to a better future.
Dust never makes a sound
The inevitability of accumulated problems and difficulties, which silently weigh on an individual's mind and soul.
It creeps until your heart
The gradual increase of problems until they become unbearable and affect your emotional state.
Is black and blind
The point where the individual feels overwhelmed by their problems and cannot see a way out.
My mind
The singer's thoughts and internal struggles.
Never knows how to rest
The continuous nature of problems and their effect on the individual's mental state.
If I could have some peace under the sun
The desire for a trouble-free future.
I'd run, I'd run, I'd run...
The singer's eagerness to run towards a better future and leave their problems behind.
And I'll forever know I'm free
The ability to let go of problems and successfully move towards a new future free from any constraints.
Contributed by Mackenzie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@matthewpugh9175
They did this live in London this year and blew my mind. Can’t lie what a track.
@ofenblase3713
One of the best Neil Morse ballads.
@josephsampson5133
Got a Seven Bridges Road(The Eagles) and The River(Opeth) feel to it, only leaving one feeling refreshed by the source from which water fell. Thanks for this one guys! ✝️🕯
@kristinelewko6822
Seals and Crofts, also. "East of the Ginger Trees".
@gordonicus4637
Fantastic video guys. Absolutely matches the spirit of the song. Really appreciate the effort. May God bless you. :-)
@MrVisionflare
I love this band, this music, and this video!
@davidesquivel5194
Damn, this is MUSIC!!! Neal and his friends are superb...
@Jacktibby2011
awesome ! I remember hearing a few morse songs back in 2013 and I thought a few where decent and then I kinda forgot about him. now fast forward to September of this year one of his songs came up in my YouTube recommended list I was bored so I clicked on it it happened to be the full sola scriptura album I listened all the way through and said to myself dang how did I write Neal off so easy back in 2013 he awesome and I love his lyrics, music, and his vocals 👍
@MatheusWesleyBlack
Beautiful lyrics and chords and harmony!
@thristanebben6193
Infinite thanks for this video. It's always refreshing to see something well done