The last Moody Blues thread featured the album ‘To Children’s Children’s Children’ and it took an extraverted approach to Individuation
In contrast, the ‘Seventh Sojourn’ takes an introverted approach to individuation.
Several tracks were hits during the seventies, but they were played individually and lost their message.
My take on the ‘Seventh Sojourn’
Track 1 Lost in a Lost World
This opening song sets the stage and reflects the inner turmoil of the narrator.
I woke up today, I was crying, Lost in a lost world, So many people are dying, Lost in a lost world.
Some of them are living an illusion,
Bounded by the darkness of their minds,
In their eyes, it's nation against nation,
With racial pride, sad hearts they hide
Thinking only of themselves, they shun
The light. They think they're right Living in their empty shells.
Oh can you see their world is crashing Crashing down around their feet And angry people in the street, Are telling them they've had their fill Of politics that wound and kill
Grow, the seeds of evolution
Revolution never won
It's just another form of gun
To do again what they have done
With all our brothers' youngest sons.
Everywhere you go you'll see them searching
Everywhere you turn you'll feel the pain
Everyone is looking for the answer
We'll look again, come on my friend
Love will find them in the end
Come on my friend we've got to bend
On our knees and say a prayer.
Oh can you feel the world is pining Pining for someone who really cares, Enough to share his love, With all of us. So we can be An ever loving family.
Have you forgotten we're all children
Children from a family tree
That's longer than a centipede
And started long ago when you
And I were only love-
I woke up today, I was crying,
Lost in a lost world,
So many people are dying,
Lost in a lost world.
Track 2 New Horizons
This track tells us the narrator is determined to work towards the goal of individuation and find peace of mind.
I've had dreams enough for one And I've got love enough for three I have my hopes to comfort me I've got my new horizons out to sea
CHORUS But I'm never gonna lose your precious gift It will always be that way And I know I'm gonna find my own peace of mind Someday, someway.
Where is this place that we have found Nobody knows where we are bound I long to hear, I need to see I've shed tears too many for me.
CHORUS
On the wind, soaring free, Spread your wings, I'm beginning to see Out of mind, far from view Beyond the reach, of the nightmare come true.
Track 3 For My Lady
This sad sounding track was played as a love song. There is however a hint that the love is directed towards a greater goal than a single person.
My lady seems to be code for the Devine and in this case a feminine entity as suggested in the final paragraph.
My boat sails stormy seas Battles oceans filled with tears At last my port's in view Now that I've discovered you
CHORUS Oh I'd give my life so lightly For my gentle lady Give it freely and completely To my lady
As life goes drifting by Like a breeze she'll gently sigh And slowly bow her head Then you'll hear her softly cry.
CHORUS
Words that you say when we're alone Though actions speak louder than words But all I can say is I love you so To drive away all my hurt
CHORUS
Set sail towards the sun Feel the warmth that's just begun Share each and every dream They belong to everyone
Track 5 You and Me
This track reconciles the philosophies of the East and West. A mention of Buddha and Christ is made
It stresses the importance of personal development and our inner work and responsibility rests with us alone
There's a leafless tree in Asia Under the sun there's a homeless man, There's a forest fire in the valley, Where the story all began.
What will be our last thought Do you think it's coming soon Will it be of comfort, Or the pain of a burning wound.
CHORUS All we are trying to say is We are all we've got You and me just cannot fail If we never never stop. Ah! Never stop.
You're an ocean full of faces, And you know that we believe We're just a wave that drifts around you, Singing all our hopes and dreams.
We look around in wonder At the work that has been done, By the vision of our father, Touched by his loving son.
Track 6 The Land of Make-Believe This track suggests we are not seeing reality and have constructed our own make-believe lives.
We're living in the land of make-believe
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and silent night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
Chorus
So fly little bird
Up into the clear blue sky
And carry the word
Love's the only reason why, why.
Open up the shutters on your windows Unlock all the locks upon your doors Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams No secrets come between us any more Oh say it's true Only love will see you through You know what love can do to you.
We're living in a land of make-believe
And trying not to let it show
Maybe in that land of make-believe
Heartaches can turn into joy.
We're breathing in the smoke of high and low
We're taking up a lot of room
Somewhere in the dark and lonely night
Our prayer will be heard, make it soon.
Chorus
Open up the shutters on your windows
Unlock all the locks upon your doors
Brush away the cobwebs from your day-dreams
No secrets come between us any more
Oh say it's true
Only love will see you through
You know what love can do to you.
Track 8 I’m Just a Singer in a Rock and Roll Band
This song became the greatest hit from this album and was often played, but it needs to be listened to after the series of lyrics in each song is heard.
This tracks suggests the narrator has not achieved his goal of individuation and continues to feel agitated about the state of the world.
The song points towards political turmoil and criticizes the individuals who are ‘Star-Strucking’ the World?
I'm just a wandering on the face of this earth Meeting so many people Who are trying to be free And while I'm travelling I hear so many words
Language barriers broken Now we've found the key And if you want the wind of change To blow about you And you're the only other person to know, don't tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.
A thousand pictures can be drawn from one word Only who is the artist We got to agree A thousand miles can lead so many ways
Just to know who is driving What a help it would be So if you want this world of yours To turn about you And you can see exactly what to do Please tell me I'm just a singer in a rock and roll band.
How can we understand Riots by the people for the people Who are only destroying themselves And when you see a frightened Person who is frightened by the People who are star star-strucking this earth.
Music is the traveller crossing our world Meeting so many people bridging the seas We're just the singers in a rock and roll band.
Comments
This album reflected the state of the world at the time and almost 50 years later it is still relevant.
