Paul Lorin Kantner (born March 17, 1941 in San Francisco, California, died … Read Full Bio ↴Paul Lorin Kantner (born March 17, 1941 in San Francisco, California, died January 28, 2016) is an American rock guitarist and singer-songwriter, most known for co-founding the psychedelic rock band Jefferson Airplane. Then during the transitional period of the early 1970s, as the Airplane started to disintegrate, Kantner in 1970 recorded Blows Against The Empire and then in 1971recorded Sunfighter

sunrise
Paul Kantner Lyrics

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Sunrise
Surprise
Civilized Man
You were keeper to me
Now your animal is free
You're free to die
You're old and your hands are gray
You're old, go home and stay

We've all heard your dirty stories
Two thousand years
Two thousand years
Two thousand years
Of your

God damned
Glory

Overall Meaning

The lyrics in "Sunrise" by Paul Kantner convey a complex message about the natural progression of life and the loss of innocence. The opening lines, "Sunrise, surprise, civilized man, you were keeper to me," suggest that the singer was once dependent on the "civilized man," perhaps for guidance or protection. However, as the song continues, the shift in power becomes apparent: "Now your animal is free, you're free to die." The line "your animal is free" could mean that the person has shed their civilized and controlled demeanor to revert to a more primal state, while the line "you're free to die" could suggest that death is a natural part of life and even a release from the confines of civilization.

The lyrics also exhibit a sense of frustration and contempt towards the "civilized man," with lines like "you've all heard your dirty stories" and "two thousand years of your god-damned glory." These lines could suggest that the singer sees the "civilized man" as corrupt and hypocritical, with a history of exploiting and oppressing those around them. The repeated phrase "two thousand years" could also reference the longevity of this pattern of behavior.

Line by Line Meaning

Sunrise
The beginning of a new day, a new era or a new chapter in life.

Surprise
Something unexpected or shocking.

Civilized Man
The modern human being who has developed complex societies and cultures.

You were keeper to me
You used to take care of me, protect me or guide me.

Now your animal is free
Now you have unleashed your primal instincts, you are acting wild and unrestrained.

You're free to die
You have reached the end of your journey and have the freedom to pass away.

You're old and your hands are gray
You have lived a long life and your body is showing signs of aging.

You're old, go home and stay
You have lived your life and it's time for you to retire, settle down and enjoy your remaining time at home.

We've all heard your dirty stories
We are tired of listening to your negative and immoral tales.

Two thousand years
A long period of time, symbolizing the duration of human history.

Of your
Belonging to you.