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.
Philosophers Stone
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm still searching for, searching for my home
Up in the morning, up in the morning out on the road
And my head is aching and my hands are cold
And I'm looking for the silver lining, silver lining in the clouds
And I'm searching for and
I'm searching for the philosophers stone
And it's a hard road, Its a hard road daddy-o
He was born in the back street, born in the back street Jelly Roll
I'm on the road again and I'm searching for
The philosophers stone
Can you hear that engine
Woe can you hear that engine drone
Well I'm on the road again and I'm searching for
Searching for the philosophers stone
Up in the morning, up in the morning
When the streets are white with snow
It's a hard road, it's a hard road daddy-o
Up in the morning, up in the morning
Out on the job
Well you've got me searching for
Searching for, the philosophers stone
Even my best friends, even my best friends they don't know
That my job is turning lead into gold
When you hear that engine, when you hear that engine drone
I'm on the road again and I'm searching for the philosophers stone
It's a hard road even my best friends they don't know
And I'm searching for, searching for the philosophers stone
"Philosophers Stone" is a song by Van Morrison about a man who is constantly on the road looking for his "home". It is a song about his journey and his search for something that he cannot seem to find. The journey of the man in the song is a metaphorical representation of the human condition. It is a quest that everyone is on, but few ever reach the end.
The lyrics are straightforward and simple, but they are also deep and meaningful. They talk about the struggles of the journey and the hardships that the man on the road faces. The road is hard and the journey is long, but the man is driven by his desire to find his home. He is looking for the "silver lining in the clouds" and the "philosophers stone", which is a metaphor for the ultimate truth about life.
The song is a metaphor for the human journey in general, and the search for meaning in particular. It speaks to the universal human experience of trying to find one's place in the world. The man in the song is searching for his home, which represents the ultimate destination of the human journey.
Line by Line Meaning
Out on the highways and the by-ways all alone
I am wandering aimlessly without a clear destination or purpose.
I'm still searching for, searching for my home
I am seeking a place where I truly belong.
Up in the morning, up in the morning out on the road
I start each day with a new journey ahead of me.
And my head is aching and my hands are cold
I am physically and mentally exhausted from my travels.
And I'm looking for the silver lining, silver lining in the clouds
I am trying to find hope or positivity in difficult situations.
And I'm searching for and I'm searching for the philosophers stone
I am on a quest for knowledge, wisdom, and true understanding of the world around me.
And it's a hard road, Its a hard road daddy-o
This journey is not easy, and there will be many challenges ahead.
When my job is turning lead into gold
My work is difficult and seemingly impossible, yet I am determined to succeed.
He was born in the back street, born in the back street Jelly Roll
A reference to an old blues song about a musician who overcame adversity and hardship to become successful.
Can you hear that engine, Woe can you hear that engine drone
The sound of my vehicle represents the constant movement and pursuit of my goals.
Well I'm on the road again and I'm searching for, Searching for the philosophers stone
My journey continues, and I am still seeking knowledge and understanding.
Up in the morning, up in the morning When the streets are white with snow
Even in the harshest weather conditions, I persist in my travels.
Even my best friends, even my best friends they don't know
Others may not understand or support my goals, yet I persist despite their doubts.
That my job is turning lead into gold
My work is challenging and requires great skill and determination.
When you hear that engine, when you hear that engine drone
My vehicle represents the sound of progress and momentum towards my goals.
I'm on the road again and I'm searching for the philosophers stone
My journey never ends, and I will always be seeking knowledge and understanding of the world around me.
It's a hard road even my best friends they don't know
The path I have chosen is challenging, and even those closest to me may not fully understand the struggles I face.
And I'm searching for, searching for the philosophers stone
I am continually seeking truth and knowledge, and will never stop searching for the answers I seek.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamescunningham1423
My dad passed away with cancer today, this was one of the last songs we listened together. My heart is broken
@felixdcat069
Prayers out to ya man, God bless and hope He helps to ease your pain and loss. They say (whoever "they" are) that it gets easier with time....it doesn't get easier, but you just learn to put those feelings in their rightful places, and you will find (over time) that you remember all the cool stuff about your pops, take care buddy
@scottclute7443
Am so very dearly sorry my friend...
@jasoncarpp7742
I'm so sorry. My father passed away in August. He was 86 yrs of age. 😢
@mtease9247
💕😢💕
@sugarbiscuit7035
Peace for you today !
@toddwalker825
I've traveled down this very road several times with my daddy. Mountains of Colorado are proof that God is the mighty creator. Great times and memories come back to life when I watch this video. Thank you Lord
@micheleserio2061
Couldn't Agree more! I lived in Ft. Collins for 6 yrs,traveled all thru...I was blessed with living on the docks btwn Mt.Rainier and Mt. Olymia,rt on the Puget Sound, across from Wedbey Is.
Montana was one of my favorite places to travel thru...we stayed in Whitehall...I love the N.W!✌💛😇
@micheleserio2061
Truly God's country!
@kelldogenterprises1531
ya- except this video and road are in Montana, and not Colorado.