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.
Gypsy
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When you're on your own
And you know just where you are
When you want to roam
Got the moon above your head
And the road beneath your feet
Pull into a wooded glen
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
Gypsy
Laying underneath the stars
Can be so much fun
Especially when you're feeling good
When you're with the one you love
Sway to sounds of two guitars
Around the campfire bright
Then mellow out like violins
In the morning light
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
La da di id di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
Gypsy
No matter where you wander
And no matter where you roam
Any place you hang your hat
You know that that is home, check it out first
Sway to sounds of two guitars
Around the campfire bright
Then mellow out like old violins
In the morning light
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa, hep
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
Gypsy
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaaa, hep
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di
La da di di di di di daaa
Gypsy
The lyrics to Van Morrison's song Gypsy are all about the freedom and the possibilities that come with living a nomadic lifestyle. The song praises the idea of being on your own and being able to travel wherever you want to go. It is a song of celebration of living a life that is not tethered to any one place, and being able to live fully in the moment.
The first verse describes the freedom that comes with traveling on your own. The moon above your head and the road beneath your feet represent the sense of independence the song touches on. The glen where one can make their own retreat could be seen as the idea of being able to create their own space and to live life on their own terms. The second verse relates to the joys of camping and being alone with someone you love, enjoying the sounds of guitars and violins in the natural setting. The final verse of the song emphasizes the idea that home is where you are, and that no matter where you may wander, as long as you have a place to hang your hat, you are home.
Overall, the song is a metaphor for life, where one can journey wherever they want to go, and find contentment and happiness along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
You can make out pretty good
Being independent has its advantages
When you're on your own
Being by yourself allows you to be free
And you know just where you are
You are in a place of self-awareness
When you want to roam
You can go wherever you please
Got the moon above your head
The night sky is your guide
And the road beneath your feet
The journey is at your feet
Pull into a wooded glen
Discover a calming and secluded place
Make your own retreat
Create a sanctuary by yourself
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di daaa
Sounds of joy and freedom
Laying underneath the stars
Taking in the beauty of the night sky
Can be so much fun
Enjoying the simple things in life
Especially when you're feeling good
Being happy in the moment enhances the experience
When you're with the one you love
Sharing the moment with someone special adds to the experience
Sway to sounds of two guitars
Get lost in the music and the moment
Around the campfire bright
Enjoying the warmth and light of the fire
Then mellow out like violins
Relax and unwind
In the morning light
As the sun rises, the calmness remains
No matter where you wander
You can go wherever you like
And no matter where you roam
The journey is yours to make
Any place you hang your hat
The place that feels like home
You know that that is home, check it out first
Home is wherever you feel like home, make sure you check the place out first
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di daaa, hep
Sounds of joy and freedom with some zest
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di
Sounds of joy and freedom
La da di di di di di daaa
Sounds of joy and freedom
Gypsy
The wanderlust spirit and lifestyle
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind