YES
Starship Trooper Lyrics
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Shine your wings forward to the sun
Hide the myst'ries of life on your way
Though you've seen them, please don't say a word
What you don't know, I have never heard
Starship trooper, go sailing on by
Catch my soul, catch the very light
Though you've seen them, please don't tell a soul
What you can't see, can't be very whole
Speak to me of summer
Long winters longer than time can remember
The setting up of other roads
To travel on in old accustomed ways
I still remember the talks by the water
The proud sons and daughter
That knew the knowledge of the land
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
Mother life, hold firmly on to me
Catch my knowledge higher than the day
Lose as much as only you can show
Though you've seen me, please don't say a word
What I don't know, I have never shared
Loneliness is a power that we possess to give or take away forever
All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts there shown before you
Take what I say in a different way and it's easy to say that this is all confusion
As I see a new day in me, I can also show it you and you may follow
Speak to me of summer
Long winters longer than time can remember
The setting up of other roads
To travel on in old accustomed ways
I still remember the talks by the water
The proud sons and daughter
That knew the knowledge of the land
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
The lyrics in "Starship Trooper" by Yes convey a sense of secrecy, mystery, and a yearning to understand more about life and the world around us. The opening lines ask a bluebird to fly forward to the sun, hiding the mysteries of life and not telling a soul about what it has seen. This implies that there are things in life we may never understand fully, and that it's up to each person to make sense of the world in their own way.
The chorus talks about a starship trooper sailing by and catching the singer's soul and the sunlight. The singer asks the trooper to hide the moment from their eye, indicating that some things are not meant to be seen by everyone. The singer also acknowledges that what they don't know has never been shared, suggesting that there's always more to learn and discover about the universe.
The second verse includes reflections on the passing of time and the setting up of new roads to travel on in old accustomed ways. The singer remembers talks by the water with proud sons and daughters who knew the knowledge of the land and spoke in sweet accustomed ways, hinting at the importance of tradition and the wisdom of the past.
The final verse talks about loneliness as a power to give or take away forever. The singer states that all they know can be shown by the listener's acceptance of the facts before them. They also offer the idea that confusion can arise when people take what they say in a different way. The closing lines once again mention talks by the water, implying that nature is a source of wisdom and that there is always more to learn from the power of the natural world.
Line by Line Meaning
Sister bluebird flying high above
A metaphor for nature, soaring above and away from earthly concerns
Shine your wings forward to the sun
Spread positivity and hope for a bright future
Hide the myst'ries of life on your way
Nature has secrets that should be respected and allowed to exist in their mystery
Though you've seen them, please don't say a word
Nature's secrets should be kept even if they have been discovered
What you don't know, I have never heard
Everyone has unique experiences and perspectives that can't be fully understood by others
Starship trooper, go sailing on by
A call for someone to explore and discover new frontiers
Catch my soul, catch the very light
Connect with the inner essence of a person
Hide the moment from my eager eye
Some experiences are too great to fully comprehend and should be appreciated in their mystery
Though you've seen them, please don't tell a soul
Some experiences should be personal and not shared with others
What you can't see, can't be very whole
The full picture of an experience or situation can't be understood without firsthand knowledge
Speak to me of summer
A request to talk about a time of warmth, growth, and abundance
Long winters longer than time can remember
A challenging time of hardship, coldness, and scarcity
The setting up of other roads
Opportunities for change, growth, and exploration
To travel on in old accustomed ways
Despite new paths being offered, it's easy to stay in familiar patterns
I still remember the talks by the water
Memories of discussions about nature and wisdom
The proud sons and daughter
People who understand the value and importance of their heritage
That knew the knowledge of the land
Having a deep connection and understanding with the natural world
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
Offered guidance and teachings in a gentle and familiar manner
Mother life, hold firmly on to me
Acknowledging the unbreakable bond between a person and nature
Catch my knowledge higher than the day
Grasping the power of wisdom and insight that can be gained from nature
Lose as much as only you can show
Letting go of negative aspects of life, while using them for positive growth
Though you've seen me, please don't say a word
Personal growth and insights should be respected and kept private
What I don't know, I have never shared
Everyone has parts of themselves that remain private, even from others
Loneliness is a power that we possess to give or take away forever
Choosing to embrace or reject solitude can have long-term effects on our lives
All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the facts there shown before you
Truth and knowledge can be shared and learned from others, but understanding requires acceptance and openness
Take what I say in a different way and it's easy to say that this is all confusion
Misunderstandings and misinterpretations can lead to confusion and conflict
As I see a new day in me, I can also show it you and you may follow
Sharing personal growth and insights can inspire others to do the same
Speak to me of summer
Reiterating the desire for warmth, growth, and abundance
Long winters longer than time can remember
Repeating the sense of hardship, coldness, and scarcity
The setting up of other roads
Repeating the recognition of new opportunities and paths
To travel on in old accustomed ways
Emphasizing the tendency to stick to familiar patterns despite new options
I still remember the talks by the water
Repeating the value of discussions and teachings about nature
The proud sons and daughter
Repeating the importance of heritage and understanding
That knew the knowledge of the land
Repeating the deep connection and understanding with nature
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
Repeating the gentle and familiar manner of guidance and teachings
Contributed by Declan I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Kellen Chesnutt
Sister bluebird flying high above
Shine your wings forward to the sun
Hide the mysteries of life on your way
Though you've seen them, please don't say a word
What you don't know, I have never heard
Starship trooper, go sailing on by
Catch my soul, catch the very night
Hide the moment from my eager eyes
Though you've seen them, please don't tell a soul
What you can't see, can't be very whole
Speak to me of summer
Long winters longer than time can remember
Setting up of other roads
To travel on in old accustomed ways
I still remember the talks by the water
The proud sons and daughters
That in the knowledge of the land
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
Mother life, hold firmly on to me
Catch my knowledge higher than the day
Lose as much as only you can show
Though you've seen them, please don't say a word
What I don't know, I have never shared
Loneliness is a power that we possess to give or take away forever
All I know can be shown by your acceptance of the fact there shown before you
Take what I say in a different way and it's easy to say that this is all confusion
As I see a new day in me, I can also show if you and you may follow
Speak to me of summer
Long winters longer than time can remember
Setting up of other roads
To travel on in old accustomed ways
I still remember the talks by the water
The proud sons and daughters
That in the knowledge of the land
Spoke to me in sweet accustomed ways
J. Cope
@Dhruba Dasgupta Absolutely. Lets see ... Here are a few you might enjoy. I'll list the band name first then the song title.
1. Emerson Lake and Palmer - From The Beginning
2. Led Zeppelin - The Rain Song
3. Steve Windwood - Can't Find My Way Home
4. The Grateful Dead - Terrapin Station (song)
5. Rush - Xanadu
6. Steely Dan - Aja (song)
7. Boston - Gonna Hitch A Ride
8. Yes - Hearts
9. The Eagles - Tequila Sunrise
10. The Police - Bring On The Night
11. The Who - You Better You Bet
12. The Rolling Stones - 2000 Light Years From Home
13. Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - You Got Lucky
14. Electric Light Orchestra - Turn To Stone
15. Blue Oyster Cult - Astronomy
16. Duran Duran - Save A Prayer
17. Jackson Browne - The Load Out
18. Billy Joel - Summer Highland Falls (songs in the attic version)
19. Traffic - Low Spark Of High Heel Boys
20. Led Zeppelin - All Of My Love
There are hundreds more where those came from. If you want more examples let me know my friend. Enjoy!
Outspoken Witness
The last 4 minutes of that song is pure genius. So sad most people will never get this level of intensity and melodically sublime music.
David Ferrara
They are pretty fucking popular. They play for free in Cinci every year and you can't get near it it's so popular
Vermont's Own Boy
Agreed, and I've always thought so. In fact, I think it's the last 5 minutes that deserve the widest praise.
Paul Orben
Listen to squires bass... What???? So good. No one can do it like that.
James Taylor
You aren't wrong.
Ged Whittaker
Never understood why Steve Howe doesn't get the respect and praise he deserves - genius guitarist - up there with the best!
Ramdom_ 9
Same goes with Genesis' Mike
Alan Moore
Well its not like he didn't - in the day he was voted 'Best Guitarist' in Guitar Player magazine five years in a row (1977–1981). In 1981 he was the first rock guitarist inducted into the Guitar Player Hall of Fame. Much later at 2018 Prog. Music Awards he was elected a "Prog God" . In the UK I recall Yes virtually sweeping individual musician awards for several years in either Melody Maker or New Musical Express in the 70's - but can't find source material on that (anyone?). It does though seem a real shame that he is not well remembered today as the genius he undoubtedly was then/still is.
K & M Agne
@Alan Moore Ditto, Allen. Could be that some people didn't read those particular highly esteemed mags (IMO). Then there's the young folk who don't know a lot about magazines printed on paper - especially from those dates. I'd hope Steve Howe doesn't concern himself with accolades - if you can soar in the clouds, why be concernd with what the terrestials have to say about it. An aside, whenever he opens his mouth, he exudes class and wisdom (IMO).
Alan Moore
@K & M Agne We all know he was unsurpassed and played (plays) in a very unique way.