Jack-a-Lynn

I would like to say, that anyone who has heard this song can't fail to feel the amazing power put into the sound, and vocals. The last two stanza are surrounded by possibly the best thaught out guitar riff I've ever had the pleasure of hearing. I guess what i like about this song is that it fits so well, there is no way to faut it really, a brilliant peice of classic rock.

An amazing song. This is the first Jethro Tull song I ever heard and now I'm hooked on to them.

I agree with the rocker, there's an amazing power and atmosphere to this song.. And it builds up perfectley. I love the folky, soft acaustic part but also the way that the distorted guitar kicks in after "Magpies that shriek, old boots that leak". Just amazing.

It's obviously about missing a lover when not being able to be with her, and everything makes you want to leave.

I welcome "fake plastic" . I got hooked to jethrotull when i first listened to 'broad sword & the beast " since then i have stayed there. Ithank God for J'TULL & PINK FLOYD. J'TULL is so near to soul. I am sad i am not able to get the meaning of the songs in detail. but they touch my soul

i wish'the promise would briefly write the meaning of JACK A LYNN

All right, I'll try:). Tough I'm not verry good at being brief, I'm afraid.

So, "Cold aeroplains" , "slow botes" and "Warm Trains" Are uncomartable ways of travelling. In this case, away from your loved one. But even the "Lush hotels and Pretty girls" won't push away the toughts about her. He wonders why he hasn't felt this way about her before.

The next part go's on about how the toughts about her keep him from sleeping and let him write this song.

"Magpies that shriek , old boots that leak, call me to jack-a-lynn" Lovely line. Well, leaking boots are bad, that's obivous. The shrieking of a Magpie might be found an awfull sound(though I love it). And Magpies used to be bad omens and cruse bringers in the old folk lores. As are black cats. The next bit is a guess. But black cats searching Policeman's hats for mice, might mean something like, that there is no order or justice where he is(whatever far away country it may be). Since the bad one(Cat) is shacing after the policemen(mice) instead of the other way around.

All of that makes him wish he were home with his girl. That's my thought, hope it's a bit clear.

My mother named me after this song. i havent heard it since i was about 2. i listend to it not too long ago and feel blessed to be named after such a beautiful song :) very folky...kinda like me.

One of my all-time JT favorites, the soulful wistfulness expressed for one's lost love is an emotion that most of us can relate to.

The song goes through a litany of bittersweet memories and everyday encounters that trigger the sad but indelible recollections of times gone by, as happens when you have been so close to someone that virtually everything reminds you of them somehow.

Perhaps this song is a restatement of the old adage "It is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all." But...is it?

Ian Anderson is a Celtic folk rock poet. His lyrics lend themselves to many possible meanings. That, plus the brilliant music to which they are an accompaniment, is what makes them so unique, original, and memorable. Jethro Tull are one of very few Rock bands whose music is instantly recognisable. Ian Anderson created a niche for himself with his genius, and there is literally no-one like him in the field of rock music. One thing you will never be when listening to Tull is bored, because of the variety, complexity, depth, and range of their music. No one writes like, or sounds like, Ian Anderson. He shunned the American monopoly on vocal sound and phrasing, and created his own, distinctly English (and Scottish) diction, syntax, and poetry. Don't get too analytical about musical genius. Just enjoy it; be enriched by it; and tell your friends.

the Jack-A-Lynn he\'s talking about is a cat