| Led Zeppelin – Carouselambra Lyrics | 15 years ago |
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Kudos to mikeydhh. After years of hearing the verses in the status quo version, your version of lyrics is truly an astounding revelation. Even though it did not alter my initial understanding of this Zep classic in any major way; your version is more accurate which then I interpreted the meaning of Plant’s writing more precisely: It is also amazing how the same words can be so different heard when prompted to hear it in another way. To me, that just illustrates the hidden genius of Zeppelin in a mystical way. Brilliant. I interpret this song, as I have the first time I understood it to be when it was first released; a lament, a blues tune (from Zep, no surprise ; ) ) done in carousel musical fashion with a Mid East/North African or Mogul imaged romantic lyrical theme: The story is of concubines in a harem who were left behind by an aging declining king who had to flee from forces within (or from a younger king (or the eager young hunter,) *depending on which version you think you hear) It is the King Arthur round table legend told in an Moroccan harem setting essentially. It's an analogy that can be used for any declining society in time past present or future. It is an universal archetype which many artists as a device in their work. References have been made to Zep’s touring experiences that the song may refer to. In a simplistic way yes, and surely not beyond imagination that was the inspiration. For such could be the Kings' and Knights' of that rock era could easily transfer banal touring experiences; or perhaps the alternative diametric view of touring view; which is that the harem women analogy refers not to groupies but to their own harem at home: They had to Stay! (at home and not go touring) I find it quite common that great works of art can often work on multiple levels of meaning: Encompassing all views from macro to micro or vice versa. This song, like many Led Zeppelin’s and those of their significant contemporary rock bands of the same genre’s contribution to our understanding of cultures and histories cannot be overstated. The meaning is clear; the message is universal: A male-centric dominated attitude of power: Hence, “Take of the fruit But guard the seed.” (Prelude) A king unites a nation His women sit in a safe place and awaits readily for his call His kingdom is safe and secured He is growing older, content and wiser, but not the man he used to be The maidens are readied, packaged like a gift They soon sit next to him at the table, they dance then all troubles fade away And when he wants it, he gets it... just like that! No questions asked, anything he wants Tales of an invaders from another land, killing and pillaging across the land But the king and advisors were so confident of themselves, they did nothing (At the end, when the King has to flee) Who had to comfort his women when he had to leave them behind Some sat, some stood, as they cried and pleaded? The King Who had to tell them the grand plan? To protect the king and be loyal: Give up the fruit, but Guard the Seed But little did they know, they have already been sacrificed so that the seed can survive: It had been decided: “No more nearer where they would ever reach” = When he tells them this, this is as near as they would ever get to him, after all that waiting... You promised to come back, what happened? You were supposed to protect me, and rescue me? But his strength was weak, survival was hard The king heard the pleas, it was unbearable He wishes he could go back and rescue them immediately But there was nothing he could do The liberators are now here, giving harem new prospective Give it up girls: “Throw down the key.” “They had to stay!” Which kind of summed up the situation when Ghengis was knockin on the door. Now I am not making statements of politics, which was neither Zep’s intent nor mine, So don’t bother. As for my personal preferences; if you seek politics listen to The RS or The Who; for spiritual meaning check out YES; to understand what motivates a person, try PF. |
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