After a period in several obscure bands, Samson formed his own eponymous outfit, Samson, in 1978, consisting of Chris Aylmer on bass, and Clive Burr on drums. Burr left, and eventually joined Iron Maiden, and was replaced by the controversial Thunderstick, who wore a gimp mask on stage. At a time when the also masked Cambridge Rapist was making the news, he became a target for criticism. In 1979, the line-up was expanded to a four piece with the addition of Bruce Bruce (aka Bruce Dickinson) on vocals.
The band enjoyed a strong cult following in the best years of the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal releasing the albums Survivors, Head On and Shock Tactics, until 1981 when Thunderstick left, and Bruce Bruce, who changed his name back to his real surname of Dickinson at this point, left to join Iron Maiden.
The talented vocalist Nicky Moore was recruited as replacement and Mel Gaynor then Pete Jupp took over drums, and this line-up released the commendable albums Before the Storm and Don't Get Mad Get Even. These two albums sold in higher quantities than the first three, and the band toured more countries and played to bigger audiences than the Bruce/Thunderstick lineup, although the New Wave Of British Heavy Metal was by now said to be a spent force. The band finally threw in the towel in 1984.
Samson spent the subsequent years in a variety of solo and group projects, including various temporary reformations of Samson, and had success as a producer, and also as a blues player, spending a year in Chicago. He played on the recording of the Ram Jam 1977 rock hit Black Betty.
In 2002 he died of cancer, whilst recording a new Samson album with Nicky Moore.
Communion
Paul Samson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Outlook getting bleaker
Sun is setting in your eye
Winter's blown your hair grey
For many seasons now
As you speak your willpower is drained
Now we can start the long way home
Call upon the energy within you
Communion will come from all around
Magnify your tiny light
Spirit blessing in the night
Feel your power surge
Now we can start the long way home
Now we can start the long way home
Now we can start the long way home
Now we can start the long way home
Rest in peace tonight
If we find our way back there
Deaf and blind and weary;
Rest and sleep tonight
If we build a place of peace
So when we meet our last goodbye
Our final breath a contened sigh
Our children will be free
Rest in peace tonight
Find our way back there
Now we can start the long way home
Find our way back there
Now we can start the long way home
Find our way back there
The lyrics of Paul Samson's song "Communion" speak of a journey towards self-discovery and inner strength. The opening lines express a sense of physical and emotional exhaustion. The singer's muscles are getting weaker, and their outlook on life is getting bleaker. The imagery of the setting sun in their eye adds to the weariness they feel. The following lines use the metaphor of winter blowing the singer's hair grey for many seasons, representing that they've been struggling for an extended period. As they speak, their willpower is further drained.
However, the song's tone shifts in the chorus, with the repeated phrase "Now we can start the long way home." The lyrics encourage the listener to call upon the energy within, and they acknowledge that communion will come from all around us. The words encourage us to magnify our tiny light and feel our power surge. The song suggests that the long road to finding our way back to a place of peace may be challenging, but it is possible. The final verse acknowledges that rest and peace are necessary along the way, but ultimately, the goal is to create a world where our children are free.
Overall, the lyrics of "Communion" speak to the need for strength during difficult times and the power of community to help us find our way back to a place of peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Muscles getting weaker
The physical strength of the person is deteriorating.
Outlook getting bleaker
The person's hope and optimism towards the future is diminishing.
Sun is setting in your eye
Metaphorically, the person's life is slowly coming to an end.
Winter's blown your hair grey
The person has aged and become grey-haired due to the trials and tribulations of life.
For many seasons now
This state has continued for a long time.
As you speak your willpower is drained
The person's strength to continue fighting is gradually fading away.
Now we can start the long way home
The journey towards the end of life has begun.
Call upon the energy within you
The person should dig deep within themselves to find the strength to continue.
Communion will come from all around
The person should seek solace in socializing and engaging with others.
Magnify your tiny light
The person's small light of hope within should be nurtured and amplified.
Spirit blessing in the night
The person should look within and seek blessings from their own spirit.
Feel your power surge
The person should tap into their inner power and find strength to endure.
Rest in peace tonight
The person should find peace and rest for the night.
If we find our way back there
If we return to a place of peace and tranquility.
Deaf and blind and weary;
The person may experience physical limitations and exhaustion.
Rest and sleep tonight
The person should shut their eyes and rest.
If we build a place of peace
If we create an environment of calm and serenity.
So when we meet our last goodbye
When we come face to face with death.
Our final breath a contened sigh
Our final exhalation should be tranquil and peaceful.
Our children will be free
Our offspring will be free from the struggles and suffering we faced.
Find our way back there
To return to the calm and peaceful place described earlier.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: AYLMER, BRUCE, SAMSON, THUNDERSTICK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind