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Broadsword Lyrics
I see a dark sail on the horizon
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
Get up to the roundhouse on the cliff-top standing.
Take women and children and bed them down.
Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
Bless with a hard heart those who surround me.
Bless the women and children who firm our hands.
Put our backs to the north wind. Hold fast by the river.
Sweet memories to drive us on for the motherland.
I see a dark sail on the horizon
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
So, bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
So bring me my broadsword
And a cross of gold as a talisman.
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
Get up to the roundhouse on the cliff-top standing.
Take women and children and bed them down.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
Bless with a hard heart those who surround me.
Bless the women and children who firm our hands.
Put our backs to the north wind. Hold fast by the river.
Sweet memories to drive us on for the motherland.
set under a black cloud that hides the sun.
So, bring me my broadsword and clear understanding.
Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman.
So bring me my broadsword
And a cross of gold as a talisman.
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The song is about Brittain being invaded by Northern Europe. The first verse is from Brttain's perspective, seeing the invaders coming, hiding the women and children, and preparing for battle. The second verse is from the invaders' perspective, discussing strategies for the upcoming battles. The final verse is from both perspectives, as both the Brittish and the invaders have the same objective: survive.
Assuming this invasion takes place around the sixth century, it could be the Vikings (Danes) invading Brittain, as Christianity had reached Northern Europe by that time.
Ian instills the irony that both the invaders and the defending Brittish prepare for battle in the same way (grab a sword and a cross).
It is quite clear. It is about people who fight AGAINST viking invasion. I presume, Irish or English warriors, who fight against Danes. They see viking ship on the horizon, take up their broadswords, take symbols of their God, hide their women and children, and prepare themselves for battle to defend their land.
A Christian begins preparation to defend his family and people from an approaching (Viking?) raid from the sea.
ye, like people have said, it's all about the Saxon's defending against the vikings. while the first idea about the Crusades isn't bad, i don' think that's what it is. Ian Anderson was very interested in British history and this is just the sort of thing he wrote his songs about
Disagree with the Saxon part, lillestat. The scene is probably set in celtic Scotland or perhaps a pre-Saxon area of Britain. The roundhouse is probably a broch, a sturdy stone-built shelter built to defend against invasions. There are still some standing today. Having said that, if it's pre-Saxon England then it's probably not Christian. So I'll stick with Scotland.
I don't think the narrator of the song is necessarily Christian: he says "Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman"
I don't think the narrator of the song is necessarily Christian: he says "Bring me my cross of gold as a talisman"
Dictionary definition: - A talisman (from Arabic Tilasm, ultimately from Greek telesma or from the Greek word "telein" which means "to initiate into the mysteries") is an amulet or other object considered to possess supernatural or magical powers.
Dictionary definition: - A talisman (from Arabic Tilasm, ultimately from Greek telesma or from the Greek word "telein" which means "to initiate into the mysteries") is an amulet or other object considered to possess supernatural or magical powers.
The cross was probably looted from another, Christian, settlement.
The cross was probably looted from another, Christian, settlement.
The roundhouse could be a broch, but people lived in round houses all over Britain through the whole iron age.
The roundhouse could be a broch, but people lived in round houses all over Britain through the whole iron age.
A thought: What if the...
A thought: What if the narrator is a Celt and it is the Roman invasion he sees on the horizon? His talisman will give him little help against those fellows........
oh it's about the Saxons alright. just look at the album cover for Broadsword and the Beast, it has 'I see a dark sail, on the horizon, set under a black cloud, that hides the sun.' in SAXON runes. the gold cross is a Christian talisman, which means it is post-Christianity Saxon England, so the invaders are likely Danish vikings. the Saxons did have roundhouses
oh it's about the Saxons alright. just look at the album cover for Broadsword and the Beast, it has 'I see a dark sail, on the horizon, set under a black cloud, that hides the sun.' in SAXON runes. the gold cross is a Christian talisman, which means it is post-Christianity Saxon England, so the invaders are likely Danish vikings. the Saxons did have roundhouses
I can read Anglo-saxon runes, and the runes on the album cover are actually the first few lines of this very song. So yes, it is about the Anglo saxons.
As for the cross, it could be a different symbol, but according to wikipedia the Christianization of the Anglo-saxon kingdoms began in AD 597, so it may not be too much of a stretch to think it was the christian cross.
Who knows what Anderson was thinking though, eh?
thats amazing how well your description fits the song, Kendall2006
Wonderful strong drumbeat, electric guitar riff, and synth brass stabs on this one!
this song is about the Anglo Saxons. the Saxon runes around the edge of the album cover are a dead giveaway
If it’s true the song is both from the invaders perspective, and those attempting to defend their home from an invader, and both sides are picking up their crossses and swords, it is highly unlikely the invaders were vikings in the sixth century. It is more likely the “invaders” were also from a Christian nation, and that would track for European history, given they were constantly at war with one another, in spite of sharing a faith.