Saturday, March 6, 2010

Let There Be More Light

Let There Be More Light 5:34
     (written by Roger Waters)

Lyrics:
Far, far, far, far away, way
People heard him say, say
I will find a way, way
There will come a day, day
Something will be done


Then at last the mighty ship
Descending on a point of flame
Made contact with the human race
At Mildenhall


Now, now, now is the time, time
Time to be, be, be aware


Carter's father sought it there and
Knew the Rhull revealed to him
The living soul of Hereward the Wake


Oh my something in my eye, eye
Something in the sky, sky
Waiting there for me     Something there for me


The outer lock rolled slowly back
The service men were heard to sigh
For there revealed in glowing robes
Was Lucy in the sky


Oh, oh did you ever know?
No, never ever will they
I can't say


Summoning his cosmic powers
And glowing slightly from his toes
The psychic emanations fly


Lead vocals: Rick Wright (verses 1, 3, 5, and 7), David Gilmour (verses 2, 4, 6, and 8)
Backing vocals: Roger Waters (verses 1, 3, 5, and 7)
Guitar: David Gilmour

Let There Be More Light was the fifth song recorded for the album (March 1968), and the first with no contribution from Syd Barrett. One of the few true science fiction tunes produced by the group, this song includes a few obscure sci-fi references (such as to John Carter of Edgar Rice Burroughs' Mars books), as well as lyrics that seem to be there just because they fit. There is even a joking reference to a well-known Beatles tune — this time Lucy appears in the sky without her diamonds.


A good song with a well-realized arrangement, Let There Be More Light also features an especially good intro and outro, the latter a one-chord improvisational jam, something the Floyd did better than anybody.



Roger Waters: "I hardly ever read science fiction. I used to read a lot, but only very occasionally now. I suppose that the reason that I liked to read science fiction was because it gives the writer the chance to re-examine some important ideas. If you remove an idea from its familiar surroundings, it allows you to look at it in a new light. Also, some of the books offer bloody good yarns, and I like a good yarn."

TRACK LISTING
Let There Be More Light
Remember a Day
Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun
Corporal Clegg
Saucerful of Secrets, A
See-Saw
Jugband Blues

2 comments:

  1. Mildenhall named because : Royal Air Force Mildenhall, more commonly known as RAF Mildenhall... aha! Cheers.

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  2. (and Mildenhall is going away, it is now up for sale... the USA air force left for a German base and now UK no longer needs Mildenhall)

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