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.
The Healing Game
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back on the corner again
Back where I belong
Where I've always been
Everything the same
It don't ever change
I'm back on the corner again
In the healing game
Down those ancient streets
Down those ancient roads
Where nobody knows
Where nobody goes
I'm back on the corner again
Where I've always been
Never been away
From the healing game
Where the choirboys sing
Where I've always been
Sing the song with soul
Baby don't you know
We can let it roll
On the saxophone
Back street Jelly Roll
In the healing game
Where the homeboys sing
Sing their songs of praise
'Bout their golden days
In the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing it in your name
Sing the healing game
The lyrics to Van Morrison's "The Healing Game" draw from the concept of returning to a familiar place, a place where the singer has always belonged. The repetitiveness of the opening lines indicate that the singer is embarking on a cyclical journey. When Morrison sings "everything the same, it don't ever change," he highlights that the external world might remain inert, but he is able to remain steadfast in the midst of it.
The second verse is where Morrison describes this place as one where "nobody knows, where nobody goes," highlighting a sense of connection to the past within the context of the present. Morrison's connection to his roots, symbolically represent his connection to the healing game, making this place one of personal healing and freedom. The presence of the choirboys and homeboys revealing the unified forces, signifying a sense of community and belonging that affirms the idea that this place is, in fact, a powerful touchstone for him.
The chorus asks the listeners to sing the healing game loudly and proudly with their names as affirmation of their own connection to their roots or places of personal healing. It's a moment of chanting directed at the soul, seeking to stir up the energy of the healing game once more.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am again
I have returned to this familiar place
Back on the corner again
I have come back to the same spot
Back where I belong
I feel at home here
Where I've always been
I have been here many times before
Everything the same
Nothing has changed in this place
It don't ever change
This place is always the same
I'm back on the corner again
I have returned to this familiar spot
In the healing game
This place is where I go to find healing
Down those ancient streets
Walking along the old roads
Down those ancient roads
Traveling on the old paths
Where nobody knows
No one knows where I am
Where nobody goes
This place is deserted
Where I've always been
I am in a familiar place
Never been away
I have always been here, in this place
From the healing game
This spot is where I go to find healing
Where the choirboys sing
Listening to the boys in the choir sing
Sing the song with soul
Singing from the heart
Baby don't you know
Don't you know?
We can let it roll
Just go with the flow
On the saxophone
The saxophone is being played
Back street Jelly Roll
Playing some blues in a hidden alleyway
In the healing game
This place is where I go to find healing
Where the homeboys sing
Where the boys from my hometown sing
Sing their songs of praise
Singing about their accomplishments
'Bout their golden days
Talking about the best times in their lives
Sing it out loud
Sing it as loud as you can
Sing it in your name
Sing it for yourself
Sing it like you're proud
Sing with pride
Sing the healing game
Sing about the place where you find healing
Sing the healing game
Sing about the place where you find healing
Sing it in your name
Sing for yourself
Sing the healing game
Sing about the place where you find healing
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Songtrust Ave
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ulrich Fiebach
"The Healing Game"
Here I am again
Back on the corner again
Back where I belong
Where I've always been
Everything the same
It don't ever change
I'm back on the corner again
In the healing game
Down those ancient streets
Down those ancient roads
Where nobody knows
Where nobody goes
I'm back on the corner again
Where I've always been
Never been away
From the healing game
Where the choirboys sing
Where I've always been
Sing the song with soul
Baby don't you know
We can let it roll
On the saxophone
Back street Jelly Roll
In the healing game
Where the homeboys sing
Sing their songs of praise
'Bout their golden days
In the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing it in your name
Sing the healing game....
boxiko2
Here I am again
Back on the corner again
Back where I belong
Where I've always been
Everything the same
It don't ever change
I'm back on the corner again
In the healing game
Down those ancient streets
Down those ancient roads
Where nobody knows
Where nobody goes
I'm back on the corner again
Where I've always been
Never been away
From the healing game
Where the choirboys sing
Where I've always been
Sing the song with soul
Baby don't you know
We can let it roll
On the saxophone
Back street Jelly Roll
In the healing game
Where the homeboys sing
Sing their songs of praise
'Bout their golden days
In the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like you're proud
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing the healing game
Sing it in your name
Sing the healing game....
JC Ramírez
Here I am again
Back on the corner again
Back where I belong
Where Ive always been
Everything the same
It dont ever change
Im back on the corner again
In the healing game
Down those ancient streets
Down those ancient roads
Where nobody knows
Where nobody goes
Im back on the corner again
Where Ive always been
Never been away
From the healing game
Where the choirboys sing
Where Ive always been
Sing the song with soul
Baby dont you know
We can let it roll
On the saxophone
Back street jelly roll
In the healing game
Where the homeboys sing
Sing their songs of praise
bout their golden days
In the healing game
Sing it out loud
Sing it in your name
Sing it like youre proud
Sing the healing game
Sing it out loud
Steve Wexler
This song and hundreds and hundreds of vans songs can be enjoyed for the next 100 or more years. His music is endless and has no boundaries. they are Timeless Treasures never to collect dust. Van gets straight to our core like no other musician performer.
Robert Charles Verity
Agree 💯
Carol Andersen
You can say that again!
Georgiana Punea
Once his music gets deep into your heart and soul and then runs into your blood then you get addicted forever ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏
Carol Weidig
@Van Morrison are you still paying attention?
Carol Weidig
YOU, Georgiana Punea, are absolutely Right. Praises to ALL.
unterwant
and it creates happiness .....
vantastic !
Simon Benson
I thank God for three things: His word to us in the Bible, the plays of William Shakespeare and the music of Sir Van Morrison.
grant smythe
Yes indeed. People need reminding that the Bible is some of the finest prose and poetry in this world.
Katherine Moorhead
@Bob Haskell someone answered that's why it was called the British Invasion. Haha. I grew up in 60s and the music forever effected my life! How could I forget? I'm one of those absent minded professors. Lol