Right Action

Just saw a video on Youtube about this song and Alex Kaprano said that the song was inspired by a trip to a flea market where he stumbled upon a postcard with a short, cryptic phrase "come home practically all is nearly forgotton", and that the postcard was sent in the 80s to the director Karel Reisz. They could not find who sent it though but thought it was good lyric . Another thing about Karel Reisz is that he directed one of Alex's favourite movie "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning", hence the same phrase appearing in the lyrics. And the address "11 South Court Gardens" is actually the address the postcard was sent to and Karel Reisz used to live. And the line "Sometimes wish you were here, weather permitting" is actually written in the postcard-writing mindset, and since the British people always talked about the "stupid weather" on their postcard and in their conversations, they thought it would be rather fitting to put it in the lyrics.

Oh and here is the link of the video. Right after the first song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TReP6_YH6I&list=PL2PGtb8wuNWVrpFhQ5TJ4c04fILVQ_aUV

Once I was singing in my cathedral choir. And one part of a CofE service is that there’s a prayer at the start that says ‘we have sinned in thought, and word, and deed’. Thought, word, and deed. Thoughts, words, action. Coincidence? I think not! Especially considering how much Alex uses religious imagery- think The Fallen, Evil and a Heathen, Auf Asche… and it’s a prayer for forgiveness too! ‘Come home, practically all is nearly forgiven’!

That sad, I’ve never heard it mentioned by Alex! So it could really just be a coincidence. But I think it could be some very subtle religious imagery!

I believe this song was based on a postcard one member received at some point from a friend, but I'm not 100% sure. Otherwise, I feel like this song is a too-happy-on-purpose kinda song that's passive aggressively accepting a relative or lover back. "Come home, practically all, is nearly forgiven" Self explanatory. Like he wants them to come home, but still wants them to know not EVERYTHING is okay

"Right thoughts, right words, right action!" I feel like this is some sorta montra that the narrator repeats in his head, like, sure, he's inviting this untrustworthy person back but for niceness sake, remember to think the right thoughts, say the right thoughts, and preform the right action, no matter the cost.

"Almost everything could be forgotten" Kinda the same as the first line, like a welcome with wariness

"How can we leave you? To a Saturday night On a Sunday morning, good morning" I'm pretty stuck on this one, but it sounds like the narrator made a mistake (by leaving their relative/lover) and then finishes with 'good morning.' almost smart-alack-y. Like, 'I messed up, huh? Oh well, good morning!"

"But sometimes, wish you were here, weather permitting" Again, he loves this person, but not enough to want to be around them 24/7

'This time, same as before, I'll love you forever" This line always strikes me as funny. Due to all the welcoming back, it's clear he didn't "love them forever" last time, so as this person is coming home, it's almost like, there's a chance whatever happened last time will happen again, and the narrator doesn't mind a bit.

Another thing about this is Alex commented that the album is a bit like a story. Happy and optimistic in the beginning with Right Action, and sad and dramatic to finish with Goodbye, Lovers and Friends (which may be about a funeral.) Either way, this song is phenomenal, as well as the entire album and I'm so glad I preordered it :D

right thoughts right words right action has a buddhist slant to it.

Never heard this song and know nothing about it or the author. But I stumbled upon it, and I do know that "Right thoughts, right words, right action" is the slogan of the Zoroastrian religion, the religion of ancient Persia that still survives in small communities in Iran, India, Zanzabar, and a few other places. Just thought I mention that.

Just like love illumination, it sounds too happy and inviting while there's still some dark story behind it, and the ending of this song sounds too insane, like some kind of voices in his head.