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.
Troubadours
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
From the city gates to the castle walls come the troubadours
On a sunlit day it was bright and clear
And the people came from far and they came from near
To hear the troubadours
Do do do do, do do do do, do do do
If the troubadours sang their songs of love to the lady fair
It was a starry night and the moon was shining bright
And the trumpets rang and they gave a chime
For the troubadours
Do do do do, do do do
And for everyman all across the land and from shore to shore
They come singin' songs of love and chivalry from the days of yore
Baby lift your window high, do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours as they gonna go through town
With their freedom song, do do do do
Oh baby lift your window high, did you hear that sound
It's the troubadours with their freedom song
Do do, do do, do do, do do, do, baby, baby
Baby lift your window high, turn your lamp down low
Oh baby don't you know, I love you so
Do you heard that sound
Do you dig that sound
It's the troubadours, coming through town
The opening lines of Van Morrison's "Troubadours" pay homage to the troubadour tradition, as he paints an image of the troubadours moving from the past to the present, singing and spreading their songs across different settings. The troubadour tradition is a medieval phenomenon in Southern France that involves poets and composers who wrote and performed their own moral, political, or love-themed songs. They were known for moving across different spaces, such as towns, villages, castles, and markets, performing for different audiences. Morrison references the troubadours singing about love, and specifically singing to a lady fair in a castle balcony on a starry night. The trumpets accompany the poets, and their music brings together people from far and near to listen and appreciate the troubadours’ artistry. Morrison then envisions the troubadurs moving through town as they continue to sing their freedom song, urging the listeners to come out and be part of the moment.
Morrison's lyrics in "Troubadours" reveal the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together. The troubadours are depicted as messengers of love and chivalry, spreading a message of freedom and liberation through their songs. They are not just musicians, but also advocates for a better world. The song's structure follows that of a troubadour's ballad, blurring the boundaries of the past and the present, and moving from the personal to the universal. The repetitive “Do do do” refrain and Morrison's distinctive vocal delivery create a mystical and dreamy atmosphere, encapsulating the troubadours' enchantment.
Line by Line Meaning
From the ancient sun to the old hearth stove sang the troubadours
From the dawn of civilization to the warmth of hearth and home, the troubadours have been singing their songs.
From the city gates to the castle walls come the troubadours
The troubadours travel far and wide, singing their songs to all who will listen, from the humble city gates to the lofty castle walls.
On a sunlit day it was bright and clear
And the people came from far and they came from near
To hear the troubadours
The sun shone down on a beautiful day, and people came from all around to listen to the troubadours' music.
If the troubadours sang their songs of love to the lady fair
She was sitting outside on a balcony in the clear night air
It was a starry night and the moon was shining bright
And the trumpets rang and they gave a chime
For the troubadours
The troubadours sang songs of love to a lady fair, who listened from a balcony under a starry sky. The music was so beautiful that even the trumpets gave a chime in appreciation.
And for everyman all across the land and from shore to shore
They come singin' songs of love and chivalry from the days of yore
The troubadours sing for everyone, from one end of the land to the other, and their songs are full of love and chivalry, inspired by the days of old.
Baby lift your window high, do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours as they gonna go through town
With their freedom song
The troubadours are coming through town, singing their freedom song. The singer urges the listener to listen closely and lift up their window to enjoy the music.
Oh baby lift your window high, did you hear that sound
It's the troubadours with their freedom song
Once again, the singer urges the listener to listen to the troubadours' music, this time emphasizing that they are singing about freedom.
Baby lift your window high, turn your lamp down low
Oh baby don't you know, I love you so
Do you heard that sound
Do you dig that sound
It's the troubadours, coming through town
The singer continues to address the listener directly, asking them to turn down the lamp and listen to the troubadours' music. The song ends with a repetition of the refrain, urging the listener to appreciate the troubadours' sound.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
From the ancient sun to the old heart stove come the troubadours
From the city gates to the castle walls it's the troubadours
On a sunlit day it was bright and clear
And the people came from far and they came from near
To hear the troubadours
Well the troubadours sang their songs of love to the lady fair
She was sitting outside on a balcony in in the cool night air
It was a starry night the moon was shining bright
And the trumpets rang and they gave a chime
For the troubadours
And for everyman all across the land and from shore to shore
They came singin' songs of love and chivalry from the days of yore
Baby lift your window high do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours as they go through town
Baby lift your window high do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours with their freedom song
Lift your window high turn your lamp down low baby
I love you so
Do you hear that sound
Do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours going through town
andrew james Bunting
Lyrics
From the ancient sun to the old heart stove come the troubadours
From the city gates to the castle walls it's the troubadours
On a sunlit day it was bright and clear
And the people came from far and they came from near
To hear the troubadours
Well the troubadours sang their songs of love to the lady fair
She was sitting outside on a balcony in in the cool night air
It was a starry night the moon was shining bright
And the trumpets rang and they gave a chime
For the troubadours
And for everyman all across the land and from shore to shore
They came singin' songs of love and chivalry from the days of yore
Baby lift your window high do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours as they go through town
Baby lift your window high do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours with their freedom song
Lift your window high turn your lamp down low baby
I love you so
Do you hear that sound
Do you hear that sound
It's the troubadours going through town
Paul Bernish
The arrangements of VM’s music are without peer . In this rendition, the holding notes of the trumpet and sax link the entire melody and mood in perfect harmony with the lyrics . Just superb.
Montse Moreno
Brutal interpretación, totalmente sensorial!!!
Steve Faure
Van is a great jazz musician--he gives the musicians around him plenty of space. Van knows when to keep quiet, just like Miles Davis.
Matthew Elliott
Such beauty in real musical talent. No high tech bullshit needed. The greatness of Van and these amazing musicians
Andrew Tonneman
This is the song of Van Morrison that come closest to my heart. I love to be a troubadour - for always.
Colin Maxwell
Piccolo Trumpet and Peewee sax doesn't get any better than this... and as always VTM rules!!
Jeff Schreiber
Van not only knows talent but knows how to utilize everyone to their fullest potential. He’s been been one of my all time favorites through the ages and now, knowing what I’ve learned about the music business and media, I have an even greater respect for him to never sell his soul to these self serving monsters.
Séamusin
It is Mark Isham on the trumpet.
turdsniffer 96
I had no clue who they where the first time I heard this but I knew they where special
Lynda McArdle
....and for all those unaware of the piccolo trumpet just think of McCartney's "Penny Lane" and David Bedford's solos....