The band consisted of two of the superstars of British folk guitar, Bert Jansch (3rd November 1943 - 5th October 2011) and John Renbourn (8 August 1944 - 26 March 2015) both of whom also sang, singer Jacqui McShee, bassist Danny Thompson and drummer Terry Cox. The original line-up lasted until the early 70s. They then split acrimoniously, but reformed by mutual consent around 15 years later. The original lineup worked together briefly but Renbourn left to pursue studies and other projects, leading to a succession of lineup changes and erratic output, which continued through the 80s and 90s with Jansch and McShee the only constant members. When Jansch eventually left, McShee continued to lead a distantly-related group under the name Jacqui McShee's Pentangle.
The core of the band's identity was the eclectic virtuosity of Jansch and Renbourn, who added elements of Middle Eastern music, blues, jazz and Classical to their style. At various times, they also experimented with electric guitar and sitar.
Light Flight
The Pentangle Lyrics
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Miles and miles away from the city's race,
Look around for someone lying in the sunshine
Marking time, hear the sighs, close your eyes...
Ba - da - pa do da da - ba - pa do da da...
Stepping from cloud to cloud passing in their flight
Star becomes a vision, never mind the meaning,
Hidden there, moving fast, it won't last...
Time passes all too soon, how it rushes by,
Now a thousand moons are about to die
No time to reflect on what the time was spent on,
Nothing left, far away, dreamers fade
Ba - da - pa do da da - ba - pa do da da...
Strange visions pass me by, winging softly thru the sky
Over the water, oooohh
Swirling, the waters rise up above my head.
Gone are the curling mists how they all have fled.
Look, the door is open, step into the space
Provided there
Da do da, - da, do da ....
The Pentangle’s “Light Flight” is a surreal and dreamlike folk song that speaks to escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and seeking solace in nature’s tranquility. The lyrics open with a call to escape to a “better place” far away from the city’s race. It suggests that one should take the time to relax and look around to find inspiration in the beauty of nature. The song then goes on to describe the world in almost mystical terms- stepping from cloud to cloud, visiting frosty stars, and seeing visions in stars that move so fast they won’t last. The lyrics capture the fleeting essence of time and the briefness of our existence, where “a thousand moons are about to die,” and there’s “nothing left” for “dreamers [who] fade.”
While the first part of the song aims to elicit relaxation and serenity, the song’s tone changes and becomes more surreal in the later part. The song speaks of “strange visions” flashing by, with sounds of water swirling overhead in the background vocals. However, despite these strange and mystical sounds and sensations, the door is open to step into the space provided. The final chorus of “da do da” is accompanied by percussive hand-clapping sounds could be seen as a metaphorical release from the confines of time and space.
Overall, “Light Flight” is a song about the beauty of nature and the urgency to escape societal pressures to find solace and inspiration. It’s a song that encourages the listener to let go of the constraining realities of time, and tune in to the mystical and magical elements that surround us.
Line by Line Meaning
Let's get away, you say, find a better place,
You suggest that we escape to a more desirable location
Miles and miles away from the city's race,
A far-off destination, away from the hustle and bustle of city life
Look around for someone lying in the sunshine
Observe one who lays in the sun to pass the time
Marking time, hear the sighs, close your eyes...
Noting the minutes, listening to breaths and gently shut your eyelids
Stepping from cloud to cloud passing in their flight
Walking from cloud to cloud as they soar freely
Visit the frosty stars in the backwash light
Travel to the icy, star-filled skies found in light from behind
Star becomes a vision, never mind the meaning,
The star's significance is inconsequential in the face of its magnificent view
Hidden there, moving fast, it won't last...
The fleeting, agile items that lie hidden soon disappear
Time passes all too soon, how it rushes by,
The hours quickly pass, gone in no time at all
Now a thousand moons are about to die
Innumerable moons about to vanish in little time
No time to reflect on what the time was spent on,
Insufficient time to ponder on how the hours have passed
Nothing left, far away, dreamers fade
Dreamers gradually fade, left with nothing but distance
Strange visions pass me by, winging softly thru the sky
Unusual spectacles flit past, drifting loftily through the skies
Over the water, oooohh
Above a body of water
Swirling, the waters rise up above my head.
Water swirling and climbing above my head
Gone are the curling mists how they all have fled.
The mist has vanished; no longer lingering
Look, the door is open, step into the space
The door's ajar, take a step into the opening
Provided there
If it's available
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: COX, JANSCH, MCSHEE, RENBOURN, ERROL THOMPSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@MikeFowlerguitars
I had the enormous honour of eventually being able to call John Renbourn, my mentor in so many ways, a friend. Such a generous soul, and an incredible musician. Five spirits making such magical music. Thanks for this. They were, and still are, unique.
@user-rm1qu3dw6d
Wonderful. Always loved these guys.did you love in London?
@chriscarter5720
You were, I think, extraordinarily fortunate. I would have sold my soul to get to know John. Maybe in the next life.
@TheSeeking2know
Her voice is like spun glass. The constantly spinning vibrato and control even at those breathy sections as well as the range jumps and hitting everything! And the band was excellent! Blending so many elements and making it work like there was nothing.
Just discovered them today from a random YouTube recommendation.
@reneharde3459
Check out Willy of Winsbury ITV - just amazing
@TheSeeking2know
@@reneharde3459 Thank you.
@maxsonthonax1020
@@reneharde3459 That's the one that got me.
@reneharde3459
@@maxsonthonax1020 Glad to see someone agrees with me for once - Thx!
@ayrshireman1314
The theme to classic and groundbreaking BBC sitcom Take Three Girls
@kingrobert1st
I remember buying Basket Of Light when I was 16 and loving it. My roots. R.I.P. Bert & John.