Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Flamingoes Fly
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the still of the night
And morning brings forth
All this wonderful delight
Couldn't have made it more plain
When I heard that soft refrain
And I heard you gently sigh
Way over yonder in the clear blue sky
That's where flamingos fly
Lie in the dark
With the sound of the nightingale
Listen for a lark
I will tell you a tale
Breeze is blowin', blowin' outside
Want to take that moonlight ride
When I hear you gently sigh
Want to take you where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
Way over yonder in the clear blue sky
That's where flamingos fly
Well we're here and we're waiting
For that morning light to shine
And I'm looking at you looking at me looking right back at you
And I'm anticipating
Sounds along the way
Looking at you looking at me looking right back at you, hey
I'll follow the road
That will take me, take me right back home
And carry that load
Where the deer and the provincial angels roam
Happiness touches, touches me now
I know where it came from and how
When I hear you gently sigh
Want to take you where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
Way over yonder in the clear blue sky
That's where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
Way over the rooftops of the houses
I heard it one time, I heard it one time in a lullaby
I heard it one time, I heard it one time in a lullaby
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere way over the rooftops of the houses
Heard it one time in a lullaby
Heard it one time, heard it one time in a lullaby
The lyrics to Van Morrison's song "Flamingoes Fly" are a poetic expression of the desire for escape and the search for happiness. The song describes a desire to leave the city and its noise and pollution and to find oneself in a peaceful and idyllic place. The imagery of flamingos flying in the clear blue sky is used to conjure up an image of beauty and freedom. The song is rich with metaphors and symbolic language, creating a dreamy and romantic atmosphere.
The opening lines set the tone for the song, as the singer invites his companion to join him on a journey into the night. The stillness of the night is contrasted with the excitement of the morning, which brings forth all kinds of delights. The soft refrain that the singer hears represents a call to adventure and an invitation to explore new horizons. The desire to "take you where flamingos fly" is a poetic expression of the desire to escape the mundane and to experience something exotic and exciting.
The second verse continues the theme of escape and romantic adventure, with a reference to the nightingale's song and the idea of storytelling. The song's protagonist is looking for a way to break free from the monotony of everyday life and to experience the beauty of the natural world. The chorus repetition of "flamingos fly" serves to reinforce this message and to create a sense of longing for a place that is just out of reach.
Overall, "Flamingoes Fly" is a beautiful and poetic meditation on the human desire for happiness and freedom, and the ways in which we seek these things in our everyday lives. The song celebrates the beauty of the natural world and the importance of taking time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Go for a ride
Let's take a journey together
In the still of the night
During the peaceful hours of darkness
And morning brings forth
When daylight arrives
All this wonderful delight
Everything that brings joy and beauty
Couldn't have made it more plain
It's perfectly clear
When I heard that soft refrain
The gentle sound of the music
And I heard you gently sigh
The sound of your contentment
Want to take you where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
Let's go to a magical place of beauty and wonder
Way over yonder in the clear blue sky
Far away in a bright and clear atmosphere
That's where flamingos fly
That's where these beautiful creatures go
Lie in the dark
Lay quietly in the blackness
With the sound of the nightingale
Listening to the sweet melody of the bird
Listen for a lark
Hear the joyful tune of the bird
I will tell you a tale
I have a story to share
Breeze is blowin', blowin' outside
The wind is gusting outdoors
Want to take that moonlight ride
Let's ride in the light of the moon
Well we're here and we're waiting
We are present and eager
For that morning light to shine
To see the dawn break
And I'm looking at you looking at me looking right back at you
We are gazing at each other with mutual affection
And I'm anticipating
I am excitedly expecting
Sounds along the way
The noise we will hear on our journey
Happiness touches, touches me now
A sense of joy and contentment is present
I know where it came from and how
I am aware of what brought me this happiness
Want to take you where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
Again, let's go to that magical place of beauty and wonder
Way over yonder in the clear blue sky
Once again, far away in a bright and clear atmosphere
That's where flamingos fly, flamingos fly
The idyllic spot where these creatures soar
Way over the rooftops of the houses
High in the sky above residential areas
I heard it one time, I heard it one time in a lullaby
I once heard about this magical place in a soothing song
Somewhere, somewhere, somewhere way over the rooftops of the houses
The location is somewhat undefined but high above urban areas
Heard it one time in a lullaby
Once again, the reference to hearing about the magical and beautiful location in a reassuring song
Heard it one time, heard it one time in a lullaby
The repetition underscores the importance of where the location was heard
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: MORRISON, VAN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Leonardo Nunes
The entire CD is amazing ...It's still to be found a Van's song that is not great ... Van is a genius!
Martin Rog
Have you tried skiffle Dublin(I don't know the real titles) it's fabulous
MrDaveya
Just a really magical song - transports me to an in between world; somewhere I know, but can never truly reach
zoedaria
I fully agree with you/ he has dominated my music favourites forever/ can certainly soothe the soul and de- stress a troubled mind. i have every album and play constantly and will continue to do!!
A lesser Gracie
Me too, always loved VM. But I hear he is a very unhappy man. His catalogue rivals or surpasses Dylan or L. Cohen.
Paul Nuttall
30 years later he still rules
Eve Russell
why dont the record companies release more classics like this version of flamingoes fly he is a natural genius
Rozenax Sax
Best of all time. A fan since the Them days.
A lesser Gracie
GLORIA.
Rachel Lisette
Simply superb song....Thankyou Van for your musical genius 🙏