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.
Street Choir
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't make it long and remember to sing it the old way
Let it all out, let your voice ring in the street now
My fun, shall be this one to complete now
Why did you leave America
Why did you let me down
And now that things seem better off
You know I just can't see you now
In my, in my new world crystal ball
You know I just can't free you now
That's not my job at all
Move it on up, move it on up by the window
Magnificent flow, oh let it all go in the moon glow
I'll take the wine, I'll take the wine with the gravy
Ask you the time, and just send the bill to my baby
Why did you leave America
Why did you let me down
And now that things seem better off
Why do you come around
You know I just can't see you now
In my, in my, in my new world crystal ball
You know I just can't free you now
That's not my job at all
Why did you leave America
Why did you let me down
And now that things seem better off
Why do you come around
You know I just can't see you now
In my, in my, in my new world crystal ball
You know, you know, you know I just can't free you now
That's not my job at all
You know, you know, you know I just can't free you now
That's not my job at all
The song "Street Choir" by Van Morrison is a reflective piece that seems to explore the singer's relationship with America. The first verse is an invitation to a street choir to sing a new song, but to do it in the old way. This could be interpreted as a desire for a new way of seeing things, but with a connection to tradition and the past. The line "My fun, shall be this one to complete now" suggests that the song is a personal vision of the singer's and he wants to hear it sung by others.
The second verse is a questioning of America itself, with Morrison wondering why it let him down and why it would come around now that things seem better off. This could be a reflection on Morrison's own experiences with the country, or it could be a wider examination of America's relationship with its people. The refrain of "why did you leave America" seems to suggest that America is something that can be left behind or lost, rather than a fixed entity.
The final verse returns to the same refrain, but this time it is mixed in with an image of moving on up by the window, taking wine with gravy and asking for the time. This could be read as a desire to move forward despite the difficulties of the past, and a recognition that the singer's relationship with America is complex and multifaceted. Overall, the song seems to be a meditation on the possibility of renewal and growth, even in the face of disappointment and loss.
Line by Line Meaning
Street choir sing me the song for the new day
I'm asking the people on the streets to sing me a song that represents the new day and its possibilities.
Don't make it long and remember to sing it the old way
I want the song to be short, but more importantly, I want it to be sung in the traditional way.
Let it all out, let your voice ring in the street now
Let your voice be heard and make an impact on the people who listen to the song in the streets.
My fun, shall be this one to complete now
This song will be fun for me to complete and share it with others.
Why did you leave America
I'm wondering why you left America - this question reflects my skepticism and frustration.
Why did you let me down
There is a sense of disappointment and disillusionment here, as if the person was expected to stay and didn't.
And now that things seem better off
Things have improved somehow, which makes the person's return more puzzling to me.
Why do you come around
I'm still questioning the purpose of this person's return and why they chose now to do so.
You know I just can't see you now
There is some tension or discomfort between us that makes it hard to familiarize myself with this person.
In my, in my new world crystal ball
I can't predict the future or what this meeting might lead to - there's an element of mystery in our interaction.
You know I just can't free you now
There is a sense of entanglement, like I owe you something or vice versa, and that we can't shake it off easily.
That's not my job at all
I'm not responsible for your freedom or for enabling it - we need to sort our own issues out.
Move it on up, move it on up by the window
I want you to move and dance with me - we can do it near the window to let the moonlight in and create some ambiance.
Magnificent flow, oh let it all go in the moon glow
Let's move beautifully, in harmony with each other - don't hold back, let the moon be our guide.
I'll take the wine, I'll take the wine with the gravy
I want to enjoy this moment with some good food and wine - gravy makes it better.
Ask you the time, and just send the bill to my baby
I need to know what time it is, but I don't want to pay for it - I'll ask my partner to handle it.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Linda Stapleton
Van is a Master of being able to freeze, a most painful heartfelt piece of his life and BRING us so DEEPLY into that moment in time , that we are RIGHT there with him, you can almost feel the BEATS of his HEART, his BREATH, his SOUL,
as he relives it himself: " WHY did you leave AMERICA? " ( Left me so alone when I needed you most, )
He takes us,
with just one lyric ,
along side him,
in his sense of loss and deep broken heartedness ( "WHY DID YOU LET ME DOWN? ) his tone is always, so soft, asking for an answer, which he knows there is only one, even with his new crystal ball, he can't save her now, it's a moment in life that's.past, "
"I just can't take you back now" , it's just " NOT my job at all ") , when you come back, in better times, ( we know the writings on the wall.)
Such clarity of the moments we all have had " when we were drowning and were left, abandoned , til better times come round, NOW you're back? not even a mystic revelation (a brand new cystal ball) will ever make that right, so go, again, he says softly. " its just not my trouble at all". He takes us there, with him again, and again, and again. HE is a MASTER óf all of the beauty and painful experiences,. "THAT'S life, that's what the people say, you're riding high in April , shot down in May!
- Van Morrison/ Frank Sinatra
The_Dude
Van Morrison's music hits me so deep in my heart...I actually cry listening to his albums
Robert Crawford
Yeah he has it alright.
Bob Steinzig
your not alone
CBS
Don't you know it!
Brian Tanner
I think we all do
Sylvia Farese
It’s the magnificent way he delivers; it’s not simply melody and lyrics but how he sings. I mean, already love his voice and then he does as only he can. My words here fail me but I’m sure someone here will understand what I’m saying. Saw him live in ‘74.
Greg
NO-ONE sings with as much soul as Van. Doesn't matter the words, nor the song. He just has to hit a certain note and he emotes more feeling than a gospel choir. Its quite amazing how he is able to connect with those who 'get' his thing. He is unique and a treasure.
ja hensley
You “get” it! An international treasure! I love Van Morrison. Love this song. It touches my soul! ❤️🎶
precision Brown
That’s very debatable
Fox Brothers
I bought my first Van album with my paper route money when I was 13 in 1978.Its Too Late to Stop Now.Been a huge fan ever since.This song still gives me chills up my spine when i hear the begining.