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05 Nov 04 - 11:52 AM (#1317825) Subject: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: Nick Does anyone know the words to this? Listening to it this is what I get but there is a line that eludes me and some bits (with ????) that I am unsure about - SO CLEAR It was in the rainy season Waiting for the train Leaving in the afternoon All on your own again Do you really understand it Can you tell me why it is this way Sad lady (???) at her portmanteau (???) With no words left to say (???) Saving (???) that it's only something That could happen anyway (???) Too loose, circus rider (???) (???) Turn on your childish grace (???) Shine on through the long black night Go ride the dawn again Your eyes are stars that sweetly twinkle (???) Aureola round your head of flame (???) Sad story that you cannot tell Where no-one is to blame And anyhow it's only something Sure to come down with the rain Would I could hear your song so clear The words could touch the air And catch the moons relection In the colour of her hair To ease this ache of loneliness And ????????????????? Even now I do remember One thing more that is not told Just a slightly twisted crystal (???) heart (???) To keep you from the cold All up the coast along the highway Nobody there will know your name So strange how things should work out now Yet still remain the same And even though you know there's nothing That can ever really change I also didn't realise this is a traditional song arranged by Pentangle - I had always thought it was written by John Renbourn |
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08 Nov 04 - 11:33 AM (#1320532) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: Nick Still stumped by the one line underneath. Surely someone, somewhere knows it? (Please :) ) Would I could hear your song so clear The words could touch the air And catch the moons relection In the colour of her hair To ease this ache of loneliness And ????????????????? |
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08 Nov 04 - 05:26 PM (#1320744) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: GUEST,The Vulgar Boatman Nick Try this - it's as near as I ever got. I still find the last line of the middle section nagging - trouble is I half remember other related topics from the sixties and it makes just enough sense to think it's right! As to traditional, I've always had my doubts; just what part of the tradition (given obviously twentieth century references) could it come from? Any further info welcome as it ranks among my favourite songs. KYBTTS It was in the rainy season,waiting for the train Leaving in the afternoon,all on your own again Do you really understand it Can you tell me why it is this way Sad lady and her portmanteau with no words left to say Saving that it's only something that could happen anyway Toulouse, circus rider, turn on your childish grin Shine all through the long black night,go ride the dawn again Your eyes are stars that sweetly twinkle Aureoled around your head of flame Sad story that you cannot tell where no-one is to blame And anyhow it's only something sure to come down with the rain Would I could hear your song so clear The words could touch the air And catch the moon's reflection in the colour of her hair To ease this ache of loneliness And blind the fishes stare… Even now I do remember one thing more that is not told Just a slightly twisted crystal heart to keep you from the cold All at the coast along the highway Nobody there will know your name So strange how things should work out now yet still remain the same And even so you know there's nothing that can ever really change |
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09 Nov 04 - 03:03 AM (#1321194) Subject: So Clear - missing some words (Pentangle) From: Joe Offer I agree -mostly- with the transcription from Vulgar boatman, with two exceptions: Second verse: Sad lady and her portmanteau with no words left to say Saving that it's only something that can happen any day fourth (?) Would I could hear your song so clear The words could touch the air And catch the moon's reflection in the colour of her hair To ease this ache of loneliness [And blind the fishes stare… - I have no idea, but it doesn't sound like blind fishes to me] The CD booklet from the Pentangle Light Flight anthology says the song is "traditional, arranged by Jansch, Renbourn, Thompson, Cox, & McShee." I really can't believe it's traditional. Nice song, though. -Joe Offer- |
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09 Nov 04 - 05:31 AM (#1321266) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: GUEST,The Vulgar Boatman Nope - I'm not happy with it either. I'll put the cans on today and try to decipher the last remaining mystery... |
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09 Nov 04 - 05:58 AM (#1321277) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: Nick Thanks both. I have posted the same on John Renbourn's site in the forum there so who knows I might get a definitive answer. The 'blind fishes' line is so hard to pick out but "blind fishes" is as plausible as anything - 'vicious stare' has been suggested or ' ---- despair' but goodness knows - I must admit to hearing a 'bl..' sound in that line. I have always liked the song, arrangement, guitar part etc but is it strange to like a song when you have no real clue what it's about? Anyway I'll try to perform it tomorrow and no doubt crack up when I get to the fishes line :) or perhaps mumble it... If I get anything definitive from the other site I will let you know. |
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09 Nov 04 - 05:33 PM (#1321927) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: GUEST,The Vulgar Boatman Had another listen... "Blind the fisher's stare" perhaps. Definitely blind, ditto stare...what's in the middle or WHY? And if so, who or what was the Fisher? Anybody know how to contact John Renbourn for heaven's sake? KYBTTS |
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09 Nov 04 - 07:28 PM (#1322020) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: Nick >>Anybody know how to contact John Renbourn for heaven's sake? Currently touring with Jacqui McShee |
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10 Nov 04 - 12:50 PM (#1322518) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear - missing some words From: Pete Jennings There's some dates missing from that tour list. They are playing at the Hitchin FC on Dec 5th. I'll email the organisers - friends of mine - and see if we can get a response or a communication path via them. I'm pretty sure it was written by him. On "Reflection", the original vinyl (I got 'em all!), it is credited to "Pentangle", which usually means Bert wrote it and they all helped to arrange it. But this isn't a Bert song and I'm sure I remember at a concert him intoducing it as one of John's. Pete |
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11 Nov 04 - 11:15 AM (#1323342) Subject: Lyr Add: SO CLEAR (John Renbourn) From: Nick Definitive version! Had a response from a guy called Robert from the forum on John Renbourn's site as follows - "According to "JR Songs For Guitar Book 2" this song has words and music by the members of Pentangle. The line at the end of the chorus is "... and blind the fishes stare." In verse 1 "portmanteau" not portmantle and the last words are "... any day". What's it about? No idea." So the actual is: SO CLEAR It was in the rainy season Waiting for the train Leaving in the afternoon All on your own again Do you really understand it Can you tell me why it is this way Sad lady and her portmanteau With no words left to say Saving that it's only something That could happen any day Toulouse, circus rider Turn on your childish grin Shine on through the long black night Go ride the dawn again Your eyes are stars that sweetly twinkle Aureola round your head of flame Sad story that you cannot tell Where no-one is to blame And anyhow it's only something Sure to come down with the rain Would I could hear your song so clear The words could touch the air And catch the moons relection In the colour of her hair To ease this ache of loneliness And blind the fishes stare Even now I do remember One thing more that is not told Just a slightly twisted crystal heart To keep you from the cold All up the coast along the highway Nobody there will know your name So strange how things should work out now Yet still remain the same And even though you know there's nothing That can ever really change ************ So now I know what the actual line is I may be able to sing it without falling about in uncontrollable laughter like I did last night when I got to that line. |
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27 May 05 - 10:26 AM (#1494240) Subject: Lyr/Chords Add: SO CLEAR (John Renbourn) From: Pete Jennings Got a belated response from John via Hitchin Folk Club. The words above are correct, and here the chords are below. Pete D A/C# It was in the rain - y season Bm F# Waiting for the train Bm E Leaving in the afternoon C#(sus4) F#(sus4) F# All on your own a - gain E Bm7 Do you really under - stand it? E Bm7 Can you tell me why it is this way? A D A G D Sad lady and her portman - teau Bm Em With no words left to say Gmaj7 D Saving that it's only something A/C# Bm E That can happen any day Chorus D A G Would I could hear a song so clear Dmaj7 A/C# The words could touch the air F#m Bm7 And catch the moon's re - flection E G In the colour of her hair A G To ease this ache of loneliness Dmaj7 A/C# Bm E And blind the fish - es' stare |
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05 Jun 05 - 04:27 PM (#1500693) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST A lovely if slightly melancholy song, though some of the words are hard to make out I can't believe the words, at least, are traditional; I don't think it says this on my copy of the album. I always associate with a time (about August 1972 I think) when my grandmother was very ill and was not expected to live, but she actually recovered well and lived until the end of August 1979, dying peacefully in her sleep at the age of, I think, 98! |
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30 Jan 07 - 10:46 AM (#1952418) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Jane The words cited by Nick, 4th Nov. are correct. I have the original vinyl album purchased on release and spent many hours decyphering the lyrics. I used to play the album over and over in 1973 whilst I was hand sewing my wedding dress. So track one was very pertinent. So Clear is a beautiful song. Definately not traditional, I'm sure I've seen it credited to John R with input from Bert. Jane |
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30 Jan 07 - 04:33 PM (#1952858) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Jane Oh no, I've just realised, there are a couple of incorrect words. In the first verse the last line should be: "That CAN happen any day" In the last verse the penultimate line should be: "And even SO you know there's nothing" Cheers Jen |
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25 Apr 08 - 04:34 PM (#2325698) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Guest, Ben Chords have been hard to figure out, thanks... I always assumed it was a Renbourne-only song since I believe that Bert does not play on the recording. It would be interesting to hear the traditional song it's based upon, if indeed there is one... Cheers, Ben |
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26 Apr 08 - 03:21 AM (#2326008) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST thanks for the chords. Great song. Ive wondered over the past few days listening to it if it was indeed traditional or not. |
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26 Apr 08 - 07:42 AM (#2326113) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: van lingle Wow, thanks to all the contributors here. I've taken numerous stabs at decipering the chords and lyrics to this beautiful song over the decades and now here they are. |
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09 Feb 09 - 08:32 AM (#2561610) Subject: Chords Add: SO CLEAR (Pentangle) From: GUEST,John JR Songs for Guitar Book 2 ISBN 086001-215-8 Oak Publications/Pentangle Music Ltd. Strangely no date. "So Clear is life through the eyes of Too-Loose, circus rider who never went further than a canvas propped against the wall of a New York hotel room. I used to play this on an old Martin that was lent to me for a while, which really made the most of the bass notes". JR Definitely credited to all members of Pentangle. Lyrics by Nick are correct, if you add Jane's corrections - "can" and "so". However, JR says "Tooloose" rather than "Toulouse" and "Would I could hear A song so clear", rather than "YOUR song". Finally there are a couple of text differences between what is written in the songbook and what John actually sings: 1 "A slightly twisted crystal heart" - there's definitely a "just" at the beginning of that line. 2 "On up along the coast". Like Nick, I heard "All up". Chords by Pete are correct, except the C#(sus4) is a C#7(sus4), the final chord of the verse is a E7 rather than an E and in the chorus after "touch the air" there is a Bm before the F#m. Intro: |D / A/C#|Bm7 / E9|Gmaj7 / /|D / /| "left to say" followed by |A7sus4 / A7| Break: |G / /|D / A/C#|Bm7 / E9|Gmaj7 / /|D / /| (first 2 times) 4th time |G / /|D / A/C#|Bm7 / E9|Gmaj7 / /|/ / /|Em / / |A7sus4 / /|Gmaj7 / /|/ / / The songbook has musical notation and detailed tablature. |
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09 Feb 09 - 03:39 PM (#2562064) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: Nick I have only sung it about twice since so I must have another go sometime soon. Interesting as to what it's about. I found singing it in D was hard so play it in C instead. Most of the guitar part and twiddly bits work equally well. I was reminded of this the other day on another thread which maintained that JR always played an acoustic and fingerpicked. I seem to remember him playing an electric (or semi acoustic) on this live. Sure it was on something like the Old Grey Whistle Test or similar eons ago. |
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09 Feb 09 - 03:40 PM (#2562066) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: Nick Horrible thought - 4 and a bit years ago that I started this thread. Who knows where the time goes? |
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11 Feb 09 - 11:39 AM (#2563906) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,John I can't seem to lay my hands on it at the moment to confirm but I'm pretty sure that the first Renbourn songbook has a photo of him playing a hollow-bodied electric. He's also credited as playing sitar on a few songs. |
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01 Mar 09 - 12:49 PM (#2578617) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Iz Wow! Thank you so much for starting this thread. I just happened to be looking for this and found it right away through you guys. You just saved me four years!;p Thanks a million to all of you. Thank you also for the isbn! Cheers! |
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01 Mar 09 - 05:06 PM (#2578779) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: Nick There is a Guitar Tab - if you have Guitar Pro 3 or later - here which is good. |
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11 Jul 09 - 09:39 AM (#2677395) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Konrad I must have put it on my top 1000 songs on my Ipod, way back when. Because of the shuffle-function it only comes around every ONCE in a long while. I could understand WHY I put it in the list... but couldn't remember who was the artist, let alone the song's name! Because I was driving my car I made a mental note to look it up when I got home... now months later iTunes happened to select "randomly" the song... So Clear - Pentangle - Light Flight First hit on google brought me to your string to get the lyrics and the chords. Many Thanks! I now HAVE to get out my guitar and play it. Many Thanks Again! Konrad |
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11 Jul 09 - 11:00 AM (#2677437) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: Peace Found the following on the www. Google pequeños discos rojos en una caja negra: Pentangle - "Reflection ... It was in the rainy season waiting for the train, leaving in the afternoon all on your own again Do you really understand it? Can you tell me why it is this way? Sad lady and her portmanteau with no words left to say, saving that it's only something that can happen any day Toulouse, circus rider, turn on your childish grin, shine on through the long black night, go ride the dawn again Your eyes are stars that sweetly twinkle, aureola round your head of flame, sad story that you cannot tell where no-one is to blame And anyhow it's only something sure to come down with the rain Would I could hear your song so clear the words could touch the air and catch the moon's reflection in the colour of her hair to ease this ache of loneliness and blind the fishes stare Even now I do remember one thing more that is not told, just a slightly twisted crystal heart to keep you from the cold All up the coast along the highway, nobody there will know your name, so strange how things should work out now yet still remain the same, and even so you know there's nothing that can ever really change |
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05 Jun 10 - 06:10 PM (#2921448) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,JohnG I do believe Bert Jansch plays piano on the track! |
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29 Jul 10 - 11:28 AM (#2954496) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Ben Surreal how I wrote a message 2 years ago saying "I don't think Bert is on the recording." Don't think I've visited the site since! Can't wait to try out the latest chords (ie the ones from '09)... |
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29 Jul 10 - 01:18 PM (#2954594) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: Nick I sang this a few weeks back - it's a long time ago I strated this thread |
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24 Aug 10 - 07:44 PM (#2972160) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,uncleroc after many listens it seems to me "Sad lady and her portmanteau" is "sad lady at her 'partment door" which would make a whole lot more sense in the song. just my observation. great song, perfect album. |
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23 May 11 - 10:23 AM (#3159159) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,moi Definitely it's a "porte-manteau" - a coat hanger in French. I had the song book with this song (which has now disappeared) and I clearly remember this word. Sorry! |
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23 May 11 - 07:08 PM (#3159426) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,Gerry Does anyone else think it's odd that a song with the name "So Clear" is anything but? |
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28 Jul 13 - 07:47 PM (#3542925) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,MRF I have always loved this song since the day it came out. All my Pentangle vinyl went to the girl friend. Listening to some Pentangle these decades later (on CD), I longed to hear this again and went googling to find the title & and the line about the Toulouse circus rider (now TooLoose?)- and here is this post. Just wanted to say thanks, and note as another has that even if the thread does not get updated very often, it is still valuable to us all. Thanks again - mrf |
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04 Nov 15 - 05:00 PM (#3748574) Subject: RE: Lyr Req: So Clear (Pentangle) From: GUEST,keith I always thought it was "Blind, officious stare" |