Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by b… Read Full Bio ↴Spock's Beard is a progressive rock band formed in 1992 in Los Angeles by brothers Neal and Alan Morse. Neal (keyboards/vocals) and Alan (guitars) were joined by fellow musicians Nick D'Virgilio (Nick D'Virgilio, drums - also known as NDV) and Dave Meros (bass), and were later joined by veteran keyboardist Ryo Okumoto.

Spock's Beard play a brand of progressive rock with pop music leanings, drawing much influence from Genesis and the Beatles. They are also well known for their intricate multi-part vocal harmonies and use of counterpoint much in the vein of Gentle Giant. They've released records like the acclaimed The Kindness of Strangers and V before releasing the epic concept album Snow, which also marked the departure of leader and main composer Neal Morse for a solo career as a Christian artist.

After the departure of Neal Morse, the frontman role was taken on by Nick D'Virgilio. The 'new' lineup has released four more studio albums: Feel Euphoria, Octane, Spock's Beard and X.
On tour, the band is supported by drummer Jimmy Keegan, leading to occasional drum duets/duels between him and Nick D'Virgilio (which can be compared to Phil Collins and Chester Thompson at Genesis concerts; drummer Collins also took the lead singer role, after original frontman Peter Gabriel left the band).

On November 21, 2011 news was announced that Nick D'Virgilio would discontinue working with the band (due to his work commitments with "Cirque du soleil"), with Ted Leonard (former Enchant and Thought Chamber) replacing him on vocals and former tour drummer Jimmy Keegan replacing him on drums permanently.

The band was named for the Star Trek episode "Mirror, Mirror," where the crew enters a parallel universe in which the parallel Mr. Spock is differentiated by his beard.

Hereafter
Spock's Beard Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Pray for her
Grace in mourning light
Bathed in shades of white
Gentle Earth open to receive
We believe she is home
None are left alone
Whispered words and sacred songs
Summon days we belonged together as we

Knelt and nursed our hopes
Then rose and watched the heavens run
In awe and wonder
Understand
Time has come we know she cannot stay
Pray for her
Pray for her

Pray for her
Story just begun
Warm in golden sun
Days stretch out flowing to the skies
In our eyes we were whole
Something in her soul
Cleared the fog of endless hours
Days bloomed as flowers all around us while the
Truth she hoped to hide
Inside and sheltered in her heart
A life had started
Still one soul departed
Part of us
We'll go on but how I cannot say

Pray for her
Pray for her

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Spock's Beard's song Hereafter reflect a powerful message of hope, loss, and mourning. The song offers a sense of comfort to those who have suffered loss and embraces the idea of praying for those who have passed away. The first verse of the song talks about a person who has recently passed away and is now in their final resting place. The singer asks us to pray for this person as she will be surrounded by grace in mourning light and will be bathed in shades of white. The Earth opens up gently to receive her, and the singer believes that she is now home. The second half of the verse reinforces the idea that no one is left alone, especially when it comes to the final journey. Whispered words and sacred songs rise from memories of the days when they belonged together. The verse also speaks of nostalgia for the times when they knelt and nursed their hopes and watched the heavens run in awe and wonder.

The second verse of the song talks about the beginning of a new story, even though the loss seems insurmountable. The singer offers a glimmer of hope in saying that the person's story has merely begun and she is now in a warm, golden sun. Days stretch out flowingly to the skies, and in their eyes, they were whole. The verse continues with the idea that something in her soul cleared the fog of endless hours, and days bloomed as flowers all around them. The truth she hoped to hide was inside and sheltered in her heart, and a new life had started. Still, one soul departed and is now part of them. They'll go on, but it will be a challenge. They ask us to pray for her.

Line by Line Meaning

Pray for her
We ask for prayers for this person

Grace in mourning light
A gentle and peaceful goodbye

Bathed in shades of white
Surrounded by purity and innocence

Gentle Earth open to receive
Nature peacefully welcoming her back

We believe she is home
We have faith that she has found her place of rest

None are left alone
We are all together in this time of sorrow

Whispered words and sacred songs
Words of comfort and hymns to soothe our hearts

Summon days we belonged together as we
Remembering happy moments shared

Knelt and nursed our hopes
Praying and holding onto our wishes

Then rose and watched the heavens run
Marveling at the beauty and mystery of life

In awe and wonder
Feeling amazed and humbled