Fool's Overture

I don't know if you have noticed or not, but on the album cover (Even in the quietest moments...), the sheet music open on the snow covered piano says "Fool's Overture", but the notes play "Star Spangled Banner". Whether or not this has anything to do with the meaning of the song, I can't say, but it wouldn't be the first time Supertramp sends a message about America.

I think, to have a slightly different interpretation, That these lyrics refer to humanities ignorance as to the destruction of the world 'So tell me that you find it hard to grow Well I know, I know, I know And you tell me that you've many seeds to sow Well I know, I know, I know' People seem to brush aside the worlds problems, they 'know, know, know' the problems, but have things to do. Parts to play... 'jokerman, rockerman...'

and history recals how great the fall can be, showing the destruction is evident, and humanity knows what they are doing to the earth, but everybodies sleeping (ignorance).

I get the jesus Christ references, 'Too late, the prophits cry', refers to how we just ignore what the wise people are saying, and do how we feel. Then when the island is sinking (this could be the whole planet) we'll just take to the sky, this false fixation thath umanity will be able to relocate the planet once its gone, we'll just live on the moon? or on a different planet.

When really, the only way we can go home, is if we listen to him. 'waiting in silence', refers to how he isn't going to come and say things to us, but rather his existence previously is the voice that still echoes in our minds, the right thing to do. Stop raping the world, stop the ignorance, and do something about it.

"So you found your solution What will be your last contribution?"

Why so lazy!?

When I saw Roger Hodgson play this live in Norway 2011 he told us that the song was created from three separate pieces that he couldn't decide what to do with, so he put them together and Fool's Overture was born.

I was a 70's country girl hippie. I never cared for the standard bands-Beatles, Zepplin, Stones. I was a Supertramp, PFloyd, SDan, Genesis, Eagles, Poco, Fogelberg chick. My mother was a mezzo soprano and musician. Acoordingly, we grew up with an ear that knew the difference between garage bands got lucky and classically trained artists. My first instrument was keyboards and accordion, moving on to drums. When pregnant, I'd lay next to my Bose speakers and play the drum lines on by pregger belly. My favorite album, at the time, was Crime of the Century. When I brought my 3 weeks preemie home and fed him his first bottle, we sat in the rocking chair next to that bass speaker. I placed him on my shoulder to burp him, reached over and qued the album. At the sound of the VERY FIRST NOTE, my 4lb 7 oz son stiffened his legs, back and neck, dug his tiny toes into my legs and began rocking out-back and forth, up and down. I shrieked, in utter delight; "It Worked!!!!" You ought to hear him play all of that stuff now @ 44 .....every instrument. As far as the meaning behind this song; I've pondered it often. Lyrics and their inspiration are critical. I can see each aspect of the comments, in this thread, being relevant to the solving of the mystery, except for Chamberlain. Christ/Churchill are both saviors, on different levels. The lessons of war, failing to act, courage, fear, malaise and human nature are clearly there. They always have been and always will be. The sounds of trepidation and triumph brought to us by masterfully played instruments (not beat boxes) move those who truly recognize top shelf talent. The fact that each of you are here and thought it worthy of sharing your perspective, are in that league of a truly cultured palate.

The song is about Neville Chamberlain, who was derided as a fool for trying to appease the Nazi's leading up to WWII. Chamberlain resigned after the fall of France and the Battle of Britain was about to begin. Churchill took over as Prime Minister. Chamberlain was dead within a few months from cancer. The song was not meant to paint Chamerlain as fool, but to honor his memory. A noble man with noble intentions, he was just in the wrong place and time in history

Wow, I can't believe that nobody has posted more on this song, but really on Supertramp in general. They're a great band, and this is just really an incredible song. I hope more people will pick up on this epic of a song.

As I listen to Fool's Overture for the first time, the middle was what catch my attention. It was so serene... and mellow. I'm into that... Pink Floyd Prog Rock style. I didn't pay attention to the lyrics until I rewound over many times and started really listening. They are amazing. This kind of music will seldom happen again. Musicians that really meant what they said. Yes, I do catch the Jesus Christ resemblance in the end before he died. I also catch WWII remarks. The island is sinking (could it be England)? This middle part is just perfect.

The song is about Winston Churchill and how he led England in its darkest hour, and when the war was over, the ungrateful bastards voted him out of office. It's a song about how quickly people forget.

LidoTRK's comment that 'the song was created from three separate pieces' makes it easier for me to interpret. I think the three pieces are jumbled and some of the previous suggestions fit in with each piece.

History recalls how great the fall can be While everybody's sleeping, the boats put out to sea [World War 2 - a fleet of small boats from Britain set off in the middle of the night to rescue soldiers from Dunkirk] Borne on the wings of time It seemed the answers were so easy to find "Too late," the prophets (profits) cry [referring to ancient / religious prophets?] The island's sinking, let's take to the sky [WW2 - Air Force strikes on Germany] Called the man a fool, stripped him of his pride [Jesus' crucifixion] Everyone was laughing up until the day he died And though the wound went deep Still he's calling us out of our sleep My friends, we're not alone He waits in silence to lead us all home [down to here references to Jesus] So tell me that you find it hard to grow [from here down a theme of taking responsibility] Well I know, I know, I know And you tell me that you've many seeds to sow Well I know, I know, I know Can you hear what I'm saying Can you see the parts that I'm playing [perhaps referring to himself or pop stars generally having responsibility along with the ability to influence their audience] "Holy Man, Rocker Man, Come on Queenie, Joker Man, Spider Man, Blue Eyed Meanie" So you found your solution What will be your last contribution? "Live it up, rip it up, why so lazy? Give it out, dish it out, let's go crazy, Yeah!" [referring to people being more interested in having a good time or a good life than making the world a better place perhaps]

i agree! This song is an epic... a masterpiece. People who like Pink Floyd often don't "get" Supertramp because it's PF minus the pretension, but with more heartfelt lyrics (and in my opinion more virtuosity)

now as for this song, could it be a (bizarre) thought that Neville Chamberlain had the right idea? i.e. that Churchill was the AGRESSOR? "Holy man rocker man, come on queenie, blued eyed meanie!"

i.e. a thought that WW2 would have been averted if Chamberlains instincts of appeasement of Hitler were followed through to the end?

In any case, it's a profound song, although i don't agree with the message, that is, if i have understood the message correctly!