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Can-Utility and the Coastliners Lyrics
The scattered pages of a book by the sea
Held by the sand, washed by the waves
A shadow forms cast by a cloud,
Skimming by as eyes of the past, but the rising tide
Absorbs them effortlessly claiming.
They told of one who tired of all singing,
"Praise him, praise him."
"We heed not flatterers," he cried,
"By our command, waters retreat,
Show my power, halt at my feet,"
But the cause was lost,
Now cold winds blow.
For from the north overcast ranks advance
Fear of the storm accusing with rage and scorn.
The waves surround the sinking throne
Singing "Crown him, crown him,"
"Those who love our majesty show themselves!"
All bent their knees.
But he forced a smile even though
His hopes lay dashed where offerings fell (where they fell).
"Nothing can my peace destroy as long as none smile."
More opened ears and opened eyes,
And soon they dared to laugh.
See a little man with his face turning red
Though his story's often told you can tell he's dead.
Can-Utility and the Coastliners is the fourth song on the 1972 album Foxtrot.
Can-Utility appears to be a word-play on the name of an old King, Canute (also spelled Kanute, or Knut) The Coastliners are his followers who in one version of the story are sycophants needing to be shown the truth, and in the other are the ones exposing the delusions of the king. Peter’s lyrics seem to weave elements of both tales into one, leading us from the near future of Get ‘em Out by Friday, to a quasi-mythical timeless area.
(following taken from several sources, including Wikipedia)
One version of the tale:
Canute, surrounded by sycophants and obsequious courtiers, had an unwelcome and undeserved reputation of being master of anything in the universe, especially the angry North Sea separating his two seats, England and Denmark. Irritated and tired of this ridiculous assertion, he placed his throne on the beach - but not to defy the incoming tide. He sat on the beach and let the waves engulf him precisely to demonstrate that he was not master of the seas, whatever anyone said.
Henry of Huntingdon, the 12th century chronicler, tells how Canute set his throne by the sea shore and commanded the tide to halt and not wet his feet and robes; but the tide failed to stop. According to Henry, Canute leapt backwards and said 'Let all men know how empty and worthless is the power of kings, for there is none worthy of the name, but He whom heaven, earth, and sea obey by eternal laws'. He then hung his gold crown on a crucifix, and never wore it again.
This story may be apocryphal. While the contemporary Encomium Emmae has no mention of it, it would seem that so pious a dedication might have been recorded there, since the same source gives an 'eye-witness account of his lavish gifts to the monasteries and poor of St Omer when on the way to Rome, and of the tears and breast-beating which accompanied them'. Goscelin, writing later in the 11th century, instead has Canute place his crown on a crucifix at Winchester one Easter, with no mention of the sea, and 'with the explanation that the king of kings was more worthy of it than he'. However there may be a 'basis of fact, in a planned act of piety,' behind this story, and Henry of Huntingdon cites it as an example of the king's 'nobleness and greatness of mind'. Later historians repeated the story, most of them adjusting it to have Canute more clearly aware that the tides would not obey him, and staging the scene to rebuke the flattery of his courtiers; and there are earlier Celtic parallels in stories of men who commanded the tides, namely Saint Illtud, Maelgwn, king of Gwynedd, and Tuirbe, of Tuirbe's Strand, in Brittany.
The encounter with the waves is said to have taken place at Bosham in West Sussex, or Southampton in Hampshire.
This event was also shown in a video from Sting’s Ten Summoner’s Tales I believe.
I like to think this is a parable to all leaders that we are all human, and that those in public office (or the entertainment industry) have a job to do and not a position to glamourize and alienate from everyone else. Utility is a public service.
Thank you for this insightful interpretation. The songs title has confused me for decades.
Thank you for this insightful interpretation. The songs title has confused me for decades.
Since the meaning of this song is pretty clear, I would just like to say that this song played through REALLY GOOD headphones is probably one of the best sonic experiences on the planet =)
This is about King Kanute & the thing he had with the tide coming in - can't remember the whole story!
Indeed based on the story of King Canute and the tide. He apparantly ordered the seas to retreat to mock the sycophantry of his followers.
Very cool song. 4/5 stars.
Ignore my above comment, and look at K-nuxXx's comment.
To that I have to add that he fails, of course, and though he is famous, he's still dead, and never really accomplished anything.
Very beautiful song. Does anyone know how the tittle connects with the story?
This is one of the best progressive rock songs out there in my opinion. Peter's vocals are haunting and the violin and organ are prefect here.
wow, this is a great song! wonderful lyrics inspired by a sad story. Agree about Gabriel's singing, not to mention that punchy organ by banks, and collins with the awesome fills. Guitars fit in so well, such a well constructed and crafted piece of music
sigh, wish there was more music like this written today... maybe there is but I just haven't found it. Any recommendations?
J
Unfortunately, no. It bugs me. From just a musical perspective there is some interesting stuff out there - The Flower Kings, Porcupine Tree, etc. But these people are all older than the 22 years old that Genesis were when they wrote this. They're all INSPIRED by this music, so it doesn't seem that they have really taken their own path. The other strain seems to be a bunch of heavy metal bands who have worked up the occasional quirk (like a drummer who can play a double-bass drum like a machine gun - but has little other subtle talents) or...
Unfortunately, no. It bugs me. From just a musical perspective there is some interesting stuff out there - The Flower Kings, Porcupine Tree, etc. But these people are all older than the 22 years old that Genesis were when they wrote this. They're all INSPIRED by this music, so it doesn't seem that they have really taken their own path. The other strain seems to be a bunch of heavy metal bands who have worked up the occasional quirk (like a drummer who can play a double-bass drum like a machine gun - but has little other subtle talents) or likes to try and make it obvious that they are using "funny" time signatures, but don't seem to really have the natural heart of the early "progressive" movement. And that's the other thing - as far as lyrics and spirit are concerened I haven't found ANYONE to be able to write anything approaching the densely layered archetypes, fantasies, allegories, and stories of these early guys. Perhaps The Legendary Pink Dots (Edward Ka-Spel is a genius), though they stray away from the more traditional musicianship. Most of these metal bands then try to break progressive down into sub-sub-sub categories (just check out ProgArchives.com - it's ridiculous) so that they can try to categorise themselves along side their truly talented prog rock heroes. So - lots of points for being creative at all and getting albums out there, but I would prefer they try to make and refer to their own world of music than dilute one that has already existed. That said, Adrian Belew from King Crimson produced Tool and KC toured with them a while back, so there is some supprt for these kind of bands within "progressive" circles.
I read somewhere that this song was actually about an outdoor gig that was rained out and canceled due to bad weather. It was originally called "Bye Bye Johnnie". Lines like "the rising tide absorbs them effortlessly playing" could very well mean the band playing. And the King Kanute story could very well be a metaphor that fits this.