First off, the lyrics are incorrect, here are the actual lyrics.
“The Narrow Way” By Pink Floyd
Verse 1
Following the path as it leads towards the darkness in the north.
Weary strangers' faces show their sympathy, they've seen that hope before.
Chorus
But if you want to stay, for a little bit.
Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay.
You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say.
Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Verse 2
Mist is swelling, creatures crawling, hear the roar get louder in your ears.
You know the folly was your own but the force behind can't conquer all your fears.
Chorus
And if you want to stay, for a little bit.
Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay.
You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say.
Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Throw your thoughts back many years to the time when there was life with every morning.
Perhaps a day will come when the lights will be as close on that morning.
Chorus
And if you want to stay, for a little bit.
Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay.
You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say.
Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Parts I, II, and III in this song differ in mood, it seems part 1 starts off in a happy place, like fishing beside a small lake and enjoying sunny weather and wildlife. Then part two becomes dark and scary until it seems to focus by sliding two opposing tones down into a single note and then comes part 3 with the lyrics.
Over all the lyrics seem to indicate to me that the protagonist of the song has traveled far and was nearing the "darkness in the north" on some kind of mission of "hope". He went there by himself and some "force behind" him is soon to follow him on his mission. This doesn't quell his fear at what is waiting for him further on. He wants to rest after a long hard journey, but it seems that he must travel by night and can't delay his mission. So he must close his "ears and eyes" to the increasing doom that every step north takes him.
I would like to say that the "Lord of the Rings" books influenced this song and it was about the dreadful journey of Frodo to Mount Doom in Mordor to destroy the one ring. The books were published about 15 years previous to this song's release. However, the Shire, according to the map of Middle earth, was to the northeast of Mordor, and so he had traveled southwest in his journey, not north.
Dark, drug influenced, psychedelic, and surreal, IMO this is one of the best tunes on Ummagumma.
First off, the lyrics are incorrect, here are the actual lyrics.
“The Narrow Way” By Pink Floyd
Verse 1 Following the path as it leads towards the darkness in the north. Weary strangers' faces show their sympathy, they've seen that hope before.
Chorus But if you want to stay, for a little bit. Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay. You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say. Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Verse 2 Mist is swelling, creatures crawling, hear the roar get louder in your ears. You know the folly was your own but the force behind can't conquer all your fears.
Chorus And if you want to stay, for a little bit. Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay. You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say. Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Throw your thoughts back many years to the time when there was life with every morning. Perhaps a day will come when the lights will be as close on that morning.
Chorus And if you want to stay, for a little bit. Rest your aching limbs, for a little bit.
Before you the night is beckoning and you know you can't delay. You hear the night birds calling you but you can't catch the words they say. Close your ears and eyes, be on your way.
Parts I, II, and III in this song differ in mood, it seems part 1 starts off in a happy place, like fishing beside a small lake and enjoying sunny weather and wildlife. Then part two becomes dark and scary until it seems to focus by sliding two opposing tones down into a single note and then comes part 3 with the lyrics.
Over all the lyrics seem to indicate to me that the protagonist of the song has traveled far and was nearing the "darkness in the north" on some kind of mission of "hope". He went there by himself and some "force behind" him is soon to follow him on his mission. This doesn't quell his fear at what is waiting for him further on. He wants to rest after a long hard journey, but it seems that he must travel by night and can't delay his mission. So he must close his "ears and eyes" to the increasing doom that every step north takes him.
I would like to say that the "Lord of the Rings" books influenced this song and it was about the dreadful journey of Frodo to Mount Doom in Mordor to destroy the one ring. The books were published about 15 years previous to this song's release. However, the Shire, according to the map of Middle earth, was to the northeast of Mordor, and so he had traveled southwest in his journey, not north.
Dark, drug influenced, psychedelic, and surreal, IMO this is one of the best tunes on Ummagumma.