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.
When Will I Ever Learn To Live In God
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The last time we stood in the west
Suffering longtime angel enraptured like Blake
Burn out the dross, innocence captured again
Standing on the beach at sunset
Yeah, and all the boats keep moving slow
In the glory of the flashing light
In the evenings glow
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
You brought it to my attention
That everything that was made in God
Down through centuries of great writings and paintings
Everything was in God
Seen through architecture of great cathedrals
Down through the history of time
Is and was in the beginning and evermore
Shall ever be
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
Whatever it takes to fulfill his mission
That is the way we must go
But you've got to do it your own way
Tear down the old, bring up the new
And up on the hillside it's quiet
Where the shepherd is tending his sheep
And over the mountains and the valleys
And the countryside is so green
Standing on the highest hill with a sense of wonder
You can see everything is made in God
Head back down the roadside
And give thanks for it all
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I ever learn?
He gives me everything I need and more
When will I ever learn?
Van Morrison's "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God" is a spiritual and introspective song that speaks about humanity's search for meaning and purpose in life. The first stanza describes a beautiful sunset over Avalon and the difficulty of capturing that beauty through art, specifically referencing William Blake's own struggle. The sunset's glory is juxtaposed with the slow-moving boats, representing the contrast between the world's fleeting moments and the eternal life of the Divine. The central question of the song arises: "When will I ever learn to live in God?" It is a question about how to find purpose in life, and the answer seems to lie in recognizing that everything around us, great cathedrals, paintings, writings, mountains, and more, is created in God.
The second stanza begins with the singer's interlocutor pointing out that everything, down to architecture and art, is made in God. The focus on "great cathedrals" emphasizes how the Divine is present in even the most man-made objects. As the lyrics continue, they speak of fulfilling one's mission, which requires a willingness to tear down the old and build up the new. The song concludes with an image of a shepherd tending to his flock, a symbol of the Divine's presence on Earth. The final lines encourage the listener to give thanks and live in gratitude.
"When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God" is a song that challenges the listener to contemplate their relationship with the Divine. The lyrics describe the beauty and wonder of the natural world and remind the listener that everything created has a divine purpose. The key to understanding this purpose is to live in gratitude, recognize the Divine presence in all things, and fulfill one's mission in life.
Line by Line Meaning
The sun was setting over Avalon
The day was coming to an end, and the sun was setting beautifully over the mythical land of Avalon.
The last time we stood in the west
We were standing on the western side, taking in the beautiful sunset.
Suffering longtime angel enraptured like Blake
A long-suffering angel experiences an intense joy, much like what William Blake has described in his works.
Burn out the dross, innocence captured again
Strive to eliminate impurities and negativity to recapture the sense of innocence.
Standing on the beach at sunset
We were standing on the seashore, with the sun setting in the horizon.
Yeah, and all the boats keep moving slow
The boats on the sea keep moving slowly, in tune with the leisurely pace of life.
In the glory of the flashing light
The bright flashing light brings forth a sense of glory.
In the evenings glow
As the sun sets, it casts its beautiful warm glow around us.
When will I ever learn to live in God?
When will I finally understand how to live through God's teachings?
He gives me everything I need and more
God has always provided me with everything I need and then some more.
You brought it to my attention
You've enlighted me on this matter.
That everything that was made in God
Everything that was created is a product of God's influence.
Down through centuries of great writings and paintings
This concept has been explored in countless artistic endeavors throughout history.
Seen through architecture of great cathedrals
Even the architecture of grand cathedrals bear witness to this truth.
Down through the history of time
This idea has been prevalent throughout the history of humankind.
Is and was in the beginning and evermore
This concept has been true since the beginning of creation and will continue to be true forever.
Whatever it takes to fulfill his mission
The mission must be fulfilled, by any means necessary.
That is the way we must go
Following God's guidance is the only path we must take.
But you've got to do it your own way
However, you must find your own unique way to do so.
Tear down the old, bring up the new
Dismantle the old ways to make way for the new.
And up on the hillside it's quiet
The view from atop the hill is peaceful and tranquil.
Where the shepherd is tending his sheep
In the distance, we can see the shepherd caring for his flock of sheep.
And over the mountains and the valleys
We look over the picturesque mountains and valleys further ahead.
And the countryside is so green
The countryside is adorned with lush and green flora.
Standing on the highest hill with a sense of wonder
From the highest point of the hill, one feels a sense of awe.
You can see everything is made in God
From this vantage point, one can realize that everything is created from God's influence.
Head back down the roadside
Making our way back to the road.
And give thanks for it all
Express gratitude for all that we have witnessed and experienced.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Van Morrison
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind