Tensions between the band grew during the production in 1970 of their first album, Hark! The Village Wait to the point where they never again worked together after its completion, but the music itself shows no signs of these difficulties. While having a rock sensibility there is a greater sense of the authentic folk tradition than even in the best of Fairport, and a particular beauty arising from the two pairs of voices. The Woods being replaced by admired folk stalwart Martin Carthy, with violinist Peter Knight to widen the musical textures, the group late in 1970 recorded their most admired record Please to see the King. Ten Man Mop followed in 1971, more accomplished but generally felt to be less exciting. The expensive gatefold sleeve swallowed the band's royalties, and was referred to as a tombstone, since Hutchings and Carthy then left, to pursue Hutchings' new vision of a specifically English strand of folk rock with The Albion Band, and Steeleye Mk 2 folded.
However the inclusion of the less celebrated and more rock orientated replacements Rick Kemp and Bob Johnson led to the most commercially successful phase in the band's existence, vocalist Maddy Prior becoming the primary focus of the band, and a run of well received albums, from Below the Salt and Now we Are Six, their first with drummer Nigel Pegrum, to their eighth, and most commercially successful, All Around my Hat, in 1975.
Still active, they have a claim to be one of the longest-lived and perhaps the most commercially successful of all the folk rock bands of the era, thanks to their hit singles Gaudete and All Around My Hat, 3 top 40 albums and even a certified "gold" record with All Around My Hat.
Tim Hart died of lung cancer on 24 December 2009, aged 61.
Now We Are Six
Steeleye Span Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Riddle 1:
In marble halls as white as milk
Lined with skin as soft as silk
Within a fountain crystal clear
A golden apple doth appear
No doors there are to this stronghold
Riddle 2:
Thirty white horses on a red hill
Now they tramp
Now they champ
Now they stand still
Riddle 3:
White bird featherless
Flew from paradise
Lit on the castle wall
Along came Lord Landless
Took it up handless
Rode away horseless
To the King's white hall
The song "Now We Are Six" by Steeleye Span features three riddles that are sung in succession which seems to be inspired by a lullaby. The first riddle describes an idyllic scene with white marble halls and a crystal-clear fountain wherein a golden apple appears. But despite the stronghold having no doors, thieves can still get in and steal the gold. This puzzling riddle can be interpreted in many ways, but it may allude to the idea of beauty being transient and that it exists in the mind of the beholder. The golden apple likely represents something that humans constantly strive for, such as happiness or success. The reference to thieves stealing the gold in the stronghold with no doors may indicate that something valuable can still be lost, regardless of the measures taken to protect it.
The second riddle seems to be related to the image of thirty white horses on a red hill. The text is simple but poetic, evocative of a pastoral countryside setting. The horses move in a cyclical rhythm of tramping, champing, and standing still. The answer to this riddle is unclear, but it may refer to the cycles of life or the seasons.
The third riddle describes a white bird that flew down from paradise and landed on a castle wall. It is then picked up by Lord Landless, who takes it handless and rides away horseless to the "King's white hall." The third verse suggests that the bird has a symbolic significance, perhaps alluding to the concept of freedom or spirituality. However, the figure of the handless Lord Landless who leaves on a horseless has a mysterious and enigmatic quality to it. The bird may also represent an unattainable ideal or wisdom which Landless seeks to acquire. The lyrics of the song are thought-provoking and complex, yet they retain an enjoyable and whimsical quality.
Line by Line Meaning
In marble halls as white as milk
The singer is describing a location that is pure and pristine, with an emphasis on the whiteness of the marble walls.
Lined with skin as soft as silk
The walls are decorated with a material that is smooth and luxurious, possibly indicating the wealth of the occupants.
Within a fountain crystal clear
In this pristine location, there is a fountain that is completely transparent and sparkling.
A golden apple doth appear
The prize of this location is a golden apple, which could symbolize something of great value or temptation.
No doors there are to this stronghold
Despite the seeming inaccessibility of this location, there are no physical barriers blocking entry.
Yet thieves break in and steal the gold
Even with no physical obstacles, people are still able to infiltrate and steal the valuable assets of the location, suggesting a possible flaw in the defense of the place.
Thirty white horses on a red hill
The singer describes a scene of striking visual contrast between the white horses and the red hill, which could indicate a sense of drama or tension.
Now they tramp
The horses are making a loud and forceful sound as they move, potentially reflecting the intensity of the moment.
Now they champ
The horses are shown to be biting and chewing on something, which could indicate their hunger or aggression.
Now they stand still
After all the movement and noise, the horses suddenly come to a stop, possibly indicating a sudden shift in the situation or a moment of anticipation.
White bird featherless
The bird is described as white and missing its feathers, which could signify vulnerability or a sense of being exposed.
Flew from paradise
The bird came from a place of perfection or heaven, potentially making the loss of its feathers even more tragic.
Lit on the castle wall
The bird lands on a strong and imposing structure, which could indicate a sense of safety or security.
Along came Lord Landless
A character named Lord Landless enters the scene, suggesting the introduction of conflict or opposition.
Took it up handless
Lord Landless picks up the bird without using his hands, which could indicate a supernatural or threatening force.
Rode away horseless
Lord Landless departs without the aid of a horse, emphasizing his otherworldly or powerful nature.
To the King's white hall
Lord Landless heads to the home of the ruling power, potentially indicating a confrontation or challenge to authority.
Contributed by Arianna L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Hans Berchtold
0:00 Thomas the Rhymer
3:13 Drink down the Moon
9:38 Two Magicians
14:04 Now we are Six
16:27 Seven Hundred Elves
21:44 Long a Growing
25:47 The Mooncoin Jig
29:40 Edwin
34:25 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
35:58 To Know him is to Love him
Hans Berchtold
0:00 Thomas the Rhymer
3:13 Drink down the Moon
9:38 Two Magicians
14:04 Now we are Six
16:27 Seven Hundred Elves
21:44 Long a Growing
25:47 The Mooncoin Jig
29:40 Edwin
34:25 Twinkle Twinkle Little Star
35:58 To Know him is to Love him
D
Hans Berchtold david bowie
Matthew Grieves
Mooncoinjig mooncoin
Robertson Shinnick
Not only is the music great, but I love the cover artwork on this album.
Derek Beauchamp
Worth every penny !
Susan Haskell
The memories of my teen years with my parents who played all their albums, I love the songs on this one!
federipal
Superb addition of an excellent drummer, Nigel Pegrum, of Gnidrolog's fame, in this album, produced by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull, and with David Bowie as Guest. Notable improvements on their career, that helped to establish the good fame of electric folk in England, alongside Fairport Convention or Gryphon.
Talons of the Raven
Steele eye Span = pure folk/rock!
stuff of legends !
Far North Weaver
This is one of the very first albums (vinyl) I bought. I was just a teenager. What a wonderful group! Always lovely, Maddie Prior.
blackandgold978
I'm so blessed that I grew up in a family that played Steeleye Span records on Friday-Sunday nights as a child. Those memories will never be repeated again in American history. But I have them. Always.....And I'll keep them. Forever. :D