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.
Roadways
Steeleye Span Lyrics
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My road leads me seawards, to the white dipping sails
One road leads to the river, as it goes singing slow
My road leads to shipping, where the bronzed sailors go
Leads me, lures me, calls me, to the salt green tossing sea
A road without Earth's road dust, is the right road for me
A wet road heaving, shining, wild with seagulls' cries
A mad, salt sea-wind blowing, the salt spray in my eyes
To add more miles to the tally, of grey miles left behind
In quest of that one beauty, I was put here to find...
Leads me, lures me, calls me, to the salt green tossing sea
A road without Earth's road dust, is the right road for me
My road calls me, lures me, west, east, south and north
Most roads lead men homewards, my road leads me forth
Leads me, lures me, calls me, to the salt green tossing sea
A road without Earth's road dust, is the right road for me...
The lyrics of Steeleye Span's song "Roadways" captures a sense of longing for the open sea and a yearning for adventure. The singer describes a choice between different paths in life, one leading to familiar destinations like London and Wales, while their own road leads them towards the sea and the white sails of ships. This road symbolizes a departure from the ordinary and a journey into the unknown.
The second verse paints a vivid image of the river, a slow-moving entity that contrasts with the allure of the sea. The singer is enticed by the idea of shipping and the bronzed sailors who venture into the great ocean. The call of the sea is irresistible, drawing them towards its salt green waters and away from the constraints of civilization.
The third verse speaks of the exhilarating experience of traveling along a wet, shimmering road, accompanied by the cries of seagulls and the fierce sea wind. It is a road that allows the singer to leave behind the monotonous routine of life, to add more memories to the miles already traveled, and to search for a singular beauty that they feel destined to find.
Throughout the song, the recurring theme is the singer's response to the road that calls, lures, and compels them towards the sea. While most roads lead people back home, this road leads them forward on an endless journey of exploration and self-discovery. The final lines emphasize the singer's conviction that a road untainted by the dust of earthly paths is the right one for them, offering a connection to the wondrous expanse of the sea.
Overall, "Roadways" captures the spirit of wanderlust, the allure of the unknown, and the longing for a life of adventure beyond the confines of conventional paths.
Line by Line Meaning
One road leads to London, one road leads to Wales
There are different paths in life, one leading to the bustling city of London and the other to the serene beauty of Wales
My road leads me seawards, to the white dipping sails
The path I choose takes me towards the open sea, where I am captivated by the sight of sailing ships with their sails gracefully dipping in the wind
One road leads to the river, as it goes singing slow
There is a road that takes you to a calm and flowing river, with its gentle melody resonating in the surroundings
My road leads to shipping, where the bronzed sailors go
The path I follow leads me to a place where sailors gather, their skin tanned by the sun, as they embark on their maritime adventures
Leads me, lures me, calls me, to the salt green tossing sea
This road guides me, entices me, and beckons me towards the restless, emerald green sea with its waves crashing and swirling
A road without Earth's road dust, is the right road for me
I desire a path that is free from the mundane realities and distractions of everyday life, a road that takes me to new horizons and experiences
A wet road heaving, shining, wild with seagulls' cries
The road I travel on is damp and undulating, glistening under the sunlight, and filled with the untamed cries of seagulls
A mad, salt sea-wind blowing, the salt spray in my eyes
An intoxicating salty sea breeze forcefully blows, causing the mist of saltwater to sting my eyes, adding to the exhilaration of the journey
To add more miles to the tally, of grey miles left behind
I wish to accumulate more distance traveled, leaving behind the monotonous and mundane stretches of road already covered
In quest of that one beauty, I was put here to find...
I am on a lifelong pursuit to discover and encounter that one extraordinary beauty that I believe is my purpose in this world
My road calls me, lures me, west, east, south and north
The path I have chosen beckons me irresistibly, pulling me in all directions: west, east, south, and north
Most roads lead men homewards, my road leads me forth
While most roads guide people back to the familiarity of their homes, my road propels me forward, exploring the unknown and embracing new adventures
A road without Earth's road dust, is the right road for me...
I yearn for a path that is free from the residue of ordinary existence, a road that resonates with my soul and fulfills my true purpose
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: STEELEYE SPAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
on Bonny Moorhen
Hi Stuart, We have corrected the description above.
Stuart Tartan
on Bonny Moorhen
This description of the song completely misses the point in every way. It IS NOT about a bird.
It is an allegorical Jacobite-era song about Bonny Prince Charlie (the bonny moorhen). The colours mentioned, for instance, are the colours of the Clan Stuart tartan.