Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison, OBE (generally known as Van Morrison or Van… Read Full Bio ↴Sir George Ivan "Van" Morrison, OBE (generally known as Van Morrison or Van The Man) (born 31 August 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning artist from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He's a singer, songwriter, author, poet, and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since 1958. He plays a variety of instruments, including the guitar, harmonica, keyboards, drums, and saxophone. Featuring his characteristic growl - a unique mix of folk, blues, Irish, scat, and Celtic influences - Morrison is widely considered one of the most unusual and influential vocalists in the history of rock and roll. He has received numerous music awards during his career, including six Grammy Awards (1996–2007); inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (January 1993), the Songwriters Hall of Fame (June 2003), and the Irish Music Hall of Fame (September 1999); and a Brit Award (February 1994).

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.

Send Your Mind
Van Morrison Lyrics

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(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)

Well you're out there, on the highway
While you're drivin', a-roll on by
Goin' south between the bridges

While the river's runnin' dry

And if ya can't come home
Please send your mind

(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)

Now you're talkin', where ya goin'
On the train that sees the road
'Cross the nation, passing stations
While the night is as black as coal

And if you can't come home
Please send your mind

(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)
Ooo!

(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)

Well, if your handle ain't, on your heartbeat
And your headed between the sheet
And the sign isn't from the lamp post
On the corner of the street

And if ya can't come home
Please send your mind

(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)

Ooo-ooo-we

(Send your mind)
(Send your mind)

Ooo-ooo-wee-ooo
(Send your mind)

A we-we-eee
(Send your mind)

A we-eee
(Send your mind)

Aah, little darlin'
(Send your mind)

Come on home
(Send your mind)

Come on home
(Send your mind)

Aah, send it, send it, send it
Send your mind (Send your mind)

Ah, try to send it, baby
(Send your mind)
All ya gotta do
(Send your mind)

Shoo-be-do, shoo-be-do, shoo-be-do
(Send your mind)

Aah, send your mind
(Send your mind)

(Send your mind)

Go on send it darlin'

(Send your mind)

Come on home
(Send your mind)

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Van Morrison's "Send Your Mind" convey a sense of longing for connection and communication during a time of physical separation. The repeated refrain of "send your mind" serves as both a plea and a reminder to the intended recipient of the song. The opening stanza sets the scene of someone driving on a desolate highway, with a river running dry, reinforcing the sense of being disconnected and alone. The following stanzas shift the focus to someone on a train journeying through the night, passing stations and moving closer to their destination, yet still seemingly far from home. The final stanza suggests that the intended recipient of the song may be in bed, disconnected from their surroundings and unresponsive, requiring the reminder to "send your mind". Overall, the song speaks to the importance of maintaining a sense of connection and presence, even when physically distanced from loved ones.

Line by Line Meaning

Well you're out there, on the highway
You are currently driving on the freeway

While you're drivin', a-roll on by
As you drive, you pass things by

Goin' south between the bridges
Heading in a southern direction, passing bridges

While the river's runnin' dry
The river you are passing by is dry

And if ya can't come home
If you are unable to physically return home

Please send your mind
Mentally connect with home and your loved ones

Now you're talkin', where ya goin'
Engaging in conversation about where you are headed

On the train that sees the road
Riding a train that travels on land

'Cross the nation, passing stations
Traveling across the country, stopping at train stations

While the night is as black as coal
During a very dark night

Well, if your handle ain't, on your heartbeat
If you are not in control of your body