Charlemagne Lyrics

Lyric discussion by HarryIrene 

Cover art for Charlemagne lyrics by John Cale

I have never known what this song is about exactly, but the words are evocative, there is a storyline in there. Cale takes literary ideas from classical European history and mixes them with American images. The court of King Charlemagne of France in a song set in America pilgrim fathers in a new world. What it means exactly doesn't matter to me, the tunes are strong, that is the beauty of his music some arcane poetry set to lovely melodies from piano and steel guitar.

My Interpretation