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.
Golden Autumn Day
Van Morrison Lyrics
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In this God forsaken place
When my confidence was well, then I tripped and I felt
Right flat on my face
Now I'm standing erect, and I feel like coming back
And the sun is shining gold
Put a smile on my face, get back in the human race
And get on with the show
And I'm taking in the Indian Summer
And I'm soaking it up in my mind
And I'm pretending that it's paradise
On a golden autumn day, on a golden autumn day
On a golden autumn day, an a golden autumn day
In the wee midnight hour I was parking my car
In this dimly lit town,
I was attacked by two thugs, who took me for a mug
And shoved me down on the ground
And they pulled out a knife, and I fought my way up
As they scarpered from the scene
Well this is no New York street, and there's no Bobby on the beat
And things ain't just what they seem
And I'm taking in the Indian Summer
And I'm soaking it up in my mind
And I'm pretending that it's paradise
On a golden autumn day, on a golden autumn day
On a golden autumn day, an a golden autumn day
Who would think this could happen in a city like this
Among Blake's green and pleasant hills,
And we must remember as we go through September
Among these dark satanic mills
If there's such a thing as justice I could take them out and flog them
In the nearest green field
And it might be a lesson to the bleeders of the system
In this whole society
And I'm taking in the Indian Summer
And I'm soaking it up in my mind
And I'm pretending like it's paradise
On a golden autumn day, on a golden autumn day
On a golden autumn day, on a golden autumn day, golden autumn day ...
"Golden Autumn Day" is a song that showcases the ups and downs in life. The song's lyrics narrate two different experiences, both representing life's unpredictable nature. The first experience is about overcoming failures and disappointment, while the second tackles the harsh reality of living in a city, where threats and danger lurk around every corner.
The song opens with the singer hearing bells ringing while being in a difficult situation. He recalls feeling confident before things went awry, causing him to trip and fall flat on his face. But despite this setback, he perseveres and stands up again, feeling motivated to move forward. As he basks in the glorious and breathtaking scenery of Indian summer, he chooses to put a smile on his face, go back to the human race, and carry on the show.
The second part of the song talks about a more violent experience. The singer is attacked by two thugs while parking his car in a dimly lit town in the wee midnight hour. Despite the odds, he manages to fight back, and the attackers flee. In shock but alive, he reflects that things aren't as they seem in this city. This experience prompts him to think about justice that would teach a lesson to the "bleeders of the system," indicating how societal issues can affect anyone.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I heard the bells ringing, I was thinking about winning
I was hopeful, with the sound of the bells giving me inspiration and motivation to succeed.
In this God forsaken place
The location or situation I'm in seems hopeless and bleak, which makes success or victory even more sweet if achieved.
When my confidence was well, then I tripped and I felt, Right flat on my face
I was feeling good about myself and my abilities, but then something unexpected and humiliating happened, knocking me down and harming my self-confidence.
Now I'm standing erect, and I feel like coming back, And the sun is shining gold
Despite the setback, I have regained my confidence and feel optimistic about the future, enjoying the beautiful day that lies ahead.
Put a smile on my face, get back in the human race, And get on with the show
I am determined to push through my struggles, engaging with the world and continuing on with my pursuits or goals, all with a positive attitude.
And I'm taking in the Indian Summer, And I'm soaking it up in my mind, And I'm pretending that it's paradise, On a golden autumn day, on a golden autumn day, On a golden autumn day, an a golden autumn day
I am appreciating the beauty and serenity of a particularly wonderful autumn day, enjoying it to the fullest and choosing to remember it as a paradise or utopia-like moment.
In the wee midnight hour I was parking my car, In this dimly lit town, I was attacked by two thugs, who took me for a mug, And shoved me down on the ground
In an otherwise peaceful moment, I was suddenly thrust into a dangerous situation, facing violence and aggression from others who saw me as an easy target.
And they pulled out a knife, and I fought my way up, As they scarpered from the scene
I was forced to quickly defend myself against armed attackers, but ultimately I was able to escape harm, with the perpetrators running off.
Well this is no New York street, and there's no Bobby on the beat, And things ain't just what they seem
Although I may have been caught off-guard in this unexpected scenario, I realize that the world is not always as safe or secure as it appears, even in a relatively quiet and unassuming area.
Who would think this could happen in a city like this, Among Blake's green and pleasant hills, And we must remember as we go through September, Among these dark satanic mills
Even in a seemingly idyllic location, there can be darkness and danger lurking, and we must be aware of this as we move through the season.
If there's such a thing as justice I could take them out and flog them, In the nearest green field, And it might be a lesson to the bleeders of the system, In this whole society
While I am angry and frustrated with those who made me a victim, I also recognize the complex and systemic issues at play in society that lead to violence and inequality, and hope that justice can eventually be served.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind