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English Sunset Lyrics
I want to ride the range
Across those skies of black.
I want to see for myself
And see me coming back
And when I've gone the distance
I'll be making tracks
For an English sunset.
We're on a runaway train
Rolling down the track
And where it's taking us to
Who knows where it's at
But, if we hold together,
We can make it back
For an English sunset.
We want an English sunset.
I feel the rhythm of the Earth
In my soul tonight,
May it never fade away
And I've decided I can live
With humility
And the sad decay
'Cos that's the English way.
We keep the faith alive
In everything we do
And, at the end of the road,
We still keep coming through
And, though it's sad and sorry,
What else can we do?
It's an English sunset,
An English sunset.
I feel the rhythm of the Earth
In my soul tonight,
May it never fade away
And I've decided they can wait
For the requiem.
We take it day by day
'Cos that's the English way.
I saw the English sunset.
Across those skies of black.
I want to see for myself
And see me coming back
And when I've gone the distance
I'll be making tracks
For an English sunset.
We're on a runaway train
Rolling down the track
And where it's taking us to
Who knows where it's at
But, if we hold together,
We can make it back
For an English sunset.
We want an English sunset.
In my soul tonight,
May it never fade away
And I've decided I can live
With humility
And the sad decay
'Cos that's the English way.
In everything we do
And, at the end of the road,
We still keep coming through
And, though it's sad and sorry,
What else can we do?
It's an English sunset,
An English sunset.
In my soul tonight,
May it never fade away
And I've decided they can wait
For the requiem.
We take it day by day
'Cos that's the English way.
I saw the English sunset.
Song Info
Submitted by
weezerific:cutlery On Jan 06, 2002
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This seems so befitting in the age of terrorism. It was always said throughout mid-history that "the sun will never set on the British Empire" and in a way, there's that sense of prevailing unity. Oh, the Moodies are so wonderful at their double entendre; it means so many things.
Personally, though, I think it's Hayward's desire that once he's been everywhere and done it all, he just wants to settle back in England and enjoy his twilight years there. To enjoy 'an English sunset'.
Just my $0.02.
More tea, vicar?
I agree with you, Mindhuntress. Justin Hayward is actually a very conservative homebody. He's been married to the same woman for years, has one daughter (who recently married) and I've heard several people who know him state that he is the very opposite of the Rock Star kind of guy.
BTW, anyone who has been to the U.K. can relate to the English sunset line....wish I could be there right now!
So why did he leave the UK almost a decade ago and make his "official" home in Monte Carlo?
So why did he leave the UK almost a decade ago and make his "official" home in Monte Carlo?
Great song, lyrically and musically. Deserved to be a huge hit, if only the Moody Blues were given the airplay their excellent music deserves.
imagodoc, I think Justin would find it hilarious that he is perceived as "a very conservative homebody", he's hardly ever at home, and as "the very opposite of the Rock Star kind of guy", by his own admission he's done everything and lived the same life any other guy in his field has. Still if that's the way he's seen then he's doing a good job. Maybe he should have gone into acting as well as music, LOL.
FAGdB, who said it was his decision?
Wow...even though this song came out when I graduated from secondary school, The Moody Blues still knew how to rock. Further proof that they're the Other British Invasion Band that puts out hits.
Funny thing is, they're better than the Stones. And I love the Stones.
"Skies of black", "runaway train", "sad decay"... these are not the usual lyrical elements of a Justin Hayward opus. For me this is a protest song, just as "Question" was. Sure, he's talking about missing England, but he's also aware that England has changed in his absence, and not for the better. There's a lot of his wry humour in there. He's having a dig at the place, but not in a way that would upset anybody - because that's the "Hayward" way. Great song. But then, has he ever released a bad one? I don't know of any.
I believe it's about getting old and accepting quite stoically the "sad decay."