Born in Palmers Green, North London, Oldfield and his siblings were raised in the Roman Catholic faith of their mother, Maureen. Oldfield spent his childhood partly in Dublin and partly in Reading, Berkshire. He later attended a Benedictine monastery school and also spent a few futile terms at the Oratory School in Woodcote, Oxfordshire. His earliest musical experiences were in the myriad of folk clubs that sprung-up in the UK during the late 1960s and early 1970s, listening to the songs of Leonard Cohen, Bert Jansch, John Renbourn, and Bob Dylan.
Oldfield left school at 16 to travel the world and worked as a roadie for various bands including The Byrds. During an extended stay on the Greek island of Hydra, he took up his first musical instrument, the flute. "I think it was learning to play in this way, with no formal guidance, that allowed me to develop the ability to compose music. I spent many happy days improvising tunes and discovering scales and arpeggios for myself, and soon started to teach myself to write these things down". Terry's only formal music training was in Agra, India where he spent some time learning to play the tabla.
In the early 1970s, Terry and his brother Mike formed a band called 'Barefoot' playing rock and roll at colleges and clubs throughout the UK. Mike later went on to record the highly successful Tubular Bells and later Terry played the flute in the live performance at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Terry also appears on Mike's albums; Hergest Ridge (woodwind -uncredited), Ommadawn (pan-pipes) and extensively on Incantations (flute).
Terry, his brother Mike and his sister Sally all completed the Exegesis Programme Large Group Awareness Training course. Terry recorded a piece of flute music which was used to accompany the last section of the course.
Oldfield's career began in earnest when he was asked by the BBC to compose music for a series called Great Railway Journeys of the World. Since then Oldfield has composed music for over 50 film and TV productions, receiving two Emmy nominations for Land of the Tiger and Twilight of the Dreamtime and a BAFTA nomination for the BBC series Kingdom of the Ice Bear. He also worked on Meerkats United, which in a National Television Poll was voted 'Best Wildlife Film Ever'.
Oldfield had a relationship with New World Music, one of the world's leading 'World' music labels, for over 10 years and has a back catalog of over 15 recordings. In 2001, Oldfield signed a multi-record contract with New Earth Records in Santa Fe, New Mexico. His work contains a wide range of ideas and influences and has sold over one million units worldwide.
Currently Oldfield has been looking at new directions to take his music. "Recently I have found the advent of Global music very inspiring. Especially the Amnesty International Concerts". In 2001, Oldfield moved to Australia.
Sun In My Eyes
Terry Oldfield Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And strong winds to carry me
Away across the shore for I can wait no more
For this moment now the sun is in my eyes
In this moment the earth is floating through the sky
On a sea of darkness filled with stars
In this moment I see all that happens to be
Bring me a boat to sail across the sea
And strong winds to carry me
Away across the shore for I can wait no more
For this moment now the sun is in my eyes
In this moment a star is rising high
And a moonlit path is on the sea
In this moment I see all that happens to be
In this moment the sun is in my eyes
Bring me a boat to sail across the sea
And strong winds to carry me
Away across the shore for I can wait no more
For this moment now the sun is in my eyes
The lyrics to Terry Oldfield's song Sun in My Eyes convey the intense desire to escape from one's current reality and head towards an elusive destination- this can be either physical or metaphorical. The starting lines "Bring me a boat to sail across the sea, And strong winds to carry me, Away across the shore for I can wait no more" indicate a craving for change and a hope that something bigger and better is out there.
The mention of "sun in my eyes" refers to the feeling of finally seeing a clear path ahead and being able to set sail towards it. The lyrics depict the fleeting nature of life and the importance of embracing the present moment- "for this moment now the sun is in my eyes". The desire to seize the day and embark on a journey of discovery is further emphasized with lines such as "In this moment a star is rising high, And a moonlit path is on the sea". The song thus encourages listeners to take risks, chase their dreams, and not let anything hold them back.
Overall, the lyrics of Sun in My Eyes are a call to action, an invitation to step out of one's comfort zone, and to explore the world with open eyes and an open heart.
Line by Line Meaning
Bring me a boat to sail across the sea
I want to travel across the sea and explore the world beyond my current location.
And strong winds to carry me
I need the support of powerful winds to move forward and guide me through my journey.
Away across the shore for I can wait no more
I am eager to leave behind my current state and venture forth because I can no longer wait.
For this moment now the sun is in my eyes
The present moment is a time of opportunity and growth, and the sun serves as a beacon to guide me towards my destiny.
In this moment the earth is floating through the sky
Right now, I am aware of the beauty and impermanence of the world, and I am grateful to be part of this cosmic dance.
On a sea of darkness filled with stars
The vast universe surrounding me is both mysterious and wondrous, and I am humbled by its mysteries.
In this moment I see all that happens to be
I am present and fully engaged with my surroundings, and I am attuned to the flow of life around me.
In this moment the sun is in my eyes
The light of the sun illuminates my path, empowering me to seize the opportunities that lie ahead.
In this moment a star is rising high
At this very instant, I am witness to the birth of a new and powerful energy in my environment.
And a moonlit path is on the sea
The sea is an expanse of possibilities, and I am guided by the gentle light of the moon towards new horizons and opportunities.
For this moment now the sun is in my eyes
I am driven by a sense of purpose and clarity, and the sun serves as a reminder that I must take decisive action now to achieve my goals.
Writer(s): Terry Oldfield
Contributed by Mason D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@ZenMasterChip
What a nice eclectic selection. This is my music. Thank you, I added it to my collection! I'm always in search of others who share my taste in music!
@eniretak33pal52
Entre cette voix unique, vraiment unique et ces violons et cette mélodie aussi, on est complètement saisi, envoûté.
C'est un cadeau Divin.
Merci
@777VIBRANT
SUCH AN ANGELIC VOICE, SO BEAUTIFUL. MY HEART JUST SINGS.
@candynichols5644
So love this exuberant little song as it bursts with hope and energy across the seas...
@mairehakala8133
🌹🌹🌹
Delightful..
@bayldonian
have always loved Terry Oolfields music. Its so mystical and pure in nature.
@ligthmary7041
es de hermosos sonidos, voces, melodias,armonias... bello,bello
@binobino11
un brano molto bello...bravo ottima scelta...
@candynichols5644
Wonderfully uplifting and so very beautiful !!!
@ottoneujhelyi4000
Nagyon szép, szívet melengető dal!!