A Very Cellular Song

The Incredible String Band

About A Very Cellular Song

"A Very Cellular Song" is a song by the Incredible String Band, written by Mike Heron, released on the 1968 album The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter.


Year:
1968
12:55
594 

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Winter was cold and the clothing was thin
But the gentle shepherd calls the tune
Oh, dear mother what shall I do?
First please your eyes and then your ears, Jenny
Exchanging love tokens say goodnight

Lay down my dear sister
Won't you lay and take your rest?
Won't you lay your head upon your saviors breast?
And I love you but Jesus loves you the best

And I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight
Lord, I bid you goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

One of these mornings bright and early and fine
Goodnight, goodnight
Not a cricket, not a spirit going to shout me on
Goodnight, goodnight

I go walking in the valley of the shadow of death
Goodnight, goodnight
And his rod and his staff shall comfort me
Goodnight, goodnight

Oh John, the wine he saw the sign
Goodnight, goodnight
Oh, John say, "I seen a number of signs"
Goodnight, goodnight

Tell a for the ark that wonderful boat
Goodnight, goodnight
You know they built it on the land getting water to float
Goodnight, goodnight

Oh, tell B for the beast at the ending of the wood
Goodnight, goodnight
You know it ate all the children when they wouldn't be good
Goodnight, goodnight

I remember quite well, I remember quite well
Goodnight, goodnight
And I was walking in Jerusalem just like John
Goodnight, goodnight, goodnight

Who would lose and who would bruise
Or who would live quite prettily?
And who would love what comes along
And fill the air with joyous song

Who would go and who would come
Or who would simply linger?
And who would hide behind your chair
And steal your crystallized ginger?

Nebulous nearnesses cry to me
At this timeless moment someone dear to me
Wants me near, makes me high
I can hear vibrations fly

Through mangoes, pomegranates and planes
All the same
When it reaches me and teaches me
To sigh

Who would mouse and who would lion
Or who would be the tamer?
And who would hear directions clear
From the unnameable namer?

Who would skip and who would plot
Or who would lie quite stilly?
And who would ride backwards on a giraffe?
Stopping every so often to laugh

Amoebas are very small

Oh ah ee oo
There's absolutely no strife
Living the timeless life, I don't need a wife
Living the timeless life

If I need a friend I just give a wriggle
Split right down the middle
And when I look there's two of me
Both as handsome as can be

Oh, here we go slithering, here we go
Slithering and squelching on
Oh, here we go slithering, here we go
Slithering and squelching on

Oh ah ee oo
There's absolutely no strife
Living the timeless life

Black hair, brown hair feather and scale
Seed and stamen and all unnamed lives that live
Turn your quivering nerves in my direction
Turn your quivering nerves in my direction
Feel the energy projection of my cells wishes you well

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide you all the way on

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide you all the way on

May the long time sun shine upon you
All love surround you
And the pure light within you
Guide you all the way on
...

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The Incredible String Band

The Incredible String Band (sometimes abbreviated as ISB) were a psychedelic folk band formed in Scotland in 1966. The band built a considerable following, especially within the British counterculture, before splitting up in 1974. The group's members are musical pioneers in psych folk and, by integrating a wide variety of traditional music forms and instruments, in the development of world music. The group reformed in 1999 and continued to perform until 2006. more »

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Written by: MIKE HERON

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind


11 facts about this song

Song Release
"A Very Cellular Song" is one of the songs from the 1968 album ‘The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter’ by The Incredible String Band.
Song Duration
At 13 minutes long, it is one of the lengthier songs on the album.
Song Inspiration
Reportedly, the song was influenced by founder Mike Heron’s interest in the Baháʼí Faith, a religion teaching the essential worth of all religions, and the unity of all people.
Song Composition
The song is a suite composed of several distinct sections that transition into each other, going through meaningful transformations in the mood and style, a feature not uncommon for psychedelic folk bands.
Use of Instruments
Inspired by world music, the band used a variety of instruments in the song, including a sitar and gimbri, reflecting their diverse musical influences.
Lyrics Context
The lyrics are a meditative discourse about cellular life forms and contain references to profound spiritual and philosophical themes. The use of repetitive refrains add to the hypnotic effect of the song.
Song Reference
The song contains an interpretation of a Baháʼí prayer, as well as an adaptation of a traditional Bahamian spiritual entitled "I Bid You Goodnight," made popular by Joseph Spence and the Pinder family.
Critical Acclaim
Despite being quite different compared to many popular songs of its time due to its length and unconventional composition, "A Very Cellular Song" is often cited as a masterpiece of psychedelic folk.
Band Members Contribution
The band members Robin Williamson and Mike Heron both contributed to the song, showcasing the band's collaborative nature.
Live Performances
"A Very Cellular Song" was frequently performed live by the band and is part of their live album "Across The Airwaves."
Influence
The song inspired a number of later musicians and remains a key example of the psychedelic folk genre.

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