Slow Marching Band--Broadsword and the Beast

[peterjamesbond]

At the end of the A-side on the "Broadsword" album, there's a lovely ballad, obviously about a former band mate ("you played for me, that's all for now") who "paid the piper and called the tune, and marched the band away".

Given the timing, shortly after the end of the 1970's era band and the obvious references to a drummer, I always wondered if the song was about Barrie Barlow, perhaps an expression of regret and sadness by Ian Anderson of the dissolution of his relationship with his old mate.

Any other insights? Beautiful tune. Here it is, with lyrics below:



Would you join a slow marching band?
And take pleasure in your leaving
as the ferry sails and tears are dried
and cows come home at evening.

Could you get behind a slow marching band?
And join together in the passing
of all we shared through yesterdays
in sorrows neverlasting.

Take a hand and take a bow.
You played for me; that's all for now, oh, and never
mind the words just hum along and keep on going.
Walk on slowly --- don't look behind you.
Don't say goodbye, love. I won't remind you.

Dream of me as the nights draw cold
still marking time through Winter.
You paid the piper and called the tune
and you marched the band away.

Take a hand and take a bow.
You played for me; that's all for now, oh, and never
mind the words just hum along and keep on going.
Walk on slowly --- don't look behind you.
Don't say goodbye, love. I won't remind you.

[Deleted]

That could very well be about barrie, and I note that he sings "never mind the words" I remember Barlow saying that he couldn't hear the vocals while he played with Tull, and that if he could he would've played completely different.

Nonetheless, I remember hearing somewhere, perhaps from anderson (maybe not, though) that this is in fact a farewell song to a lover. Either way it would work great

This is also one of my favorite Jethro Tull songs being on one of my very favorite Jethro Tull albums

[peterjamesbond]

From the Cup of Wonder site:

Since "Broadsword and the Beast" was recorded just after "A",
which saw the rough dismissal of Barry Barlow, John Evans and Dave Palmer, and the creation of a new Jethro Tull formation, I have thought that the song could be interpreted as a kind of apologise and farewell to these ex-members of the band, who were not quite happy with what Ian had just done... Consider the followings lines in this light:
"And join together in the passing of all we shared through yesterdays/in
sorrows neverlasting./Take a hand and take a bow/
You played for me; that's all for now,oh, and never mind the words:
just hum along and keep on going."
I see this as an encouragement not to think to harshly on the past, but
instead of thinking on the good times they had together, even when things
were quite difficult for the band, and then a last farewell before telling
them that each of them has to go his own way in life...?
* Fred Sowa

Perhaps my interpretation is not too far off. I don't agree that it is about a lost love of the boy / girl sort, though Ian Anderson once made that reference. Too many references to the musicians, and the references to a drummer specifically, plus the beautiful orchestral snare arrangement on the song strongly suggests otherwise. Anybody else think so?

[Nonfatman]

Nov 9, 2010 11:29:57 GMT -5 peterjamesbond said:

From the Cup of Wonder site:

Since "Broadsword and the Beast" was recorded just after "A",
which saw the rough dismissal of Barry Barlow, John Evans and Dave Palmer, and the creation of a new Jethro Tull formation, I have thought that the song could be interpreted as a kind of apologise and farewell to these ex-members of the band, who were not quite happy with what Ian had just done... Consider the followings lines in this light:
"And join together in the passing of all we shared through yesterdays/in
sorrows neverlasting./Take a hand and take a bow/
You played for me; that's all for now,oh, and never mind the words:
just hum along and keep on going."
I see this as an encouragement not to think to harshly on the past, but
instead of thinking on the good times they had together, even when things
were quite difficult for the band, and then a last farewell before telling
them that each of them has to go his own way in life...?
* Fred Sowa

Perhaps my interpretation is not too far off. I don't agree that it is about a lost love of the boy / girl sort, though Ian Anderson once made that reference. Too many references to the musicians, and the references to a drummer specifically, plus the beautiful orchestral snare arrangement on the song strongly suggests otherwise. Anybody else think so?

Welcome to the Jethro Tull Board, Peter, I have been reading your posts with interest and I think you raise some interesting points about this song. Having not read Jan's annotations, I was not previously aware that it could be interpreted as having to do with 'The Big Split' and Barrie's departure from the band. I always thought that it had to do with the break-up of a romantic relationship.

As is very often the case with Ian's lyrics, they are open to varying interpretations, and in this song I think there is evidence for both explanations, because of the lines "say goodbye love" and "dream of me as the nights draw cold." Why would Ian be expecting Barrie to "dream of him" and why would he address Barrie as "love"? That would seem to go against your interpretation, however there is also strong support for what you are saying as well. So both explanations could be correct, or perhaps neither.

Scott and I were recently discussing the song Teacher, and how that one too is open to different interpretations. That is what makes so many of Tull's songs interesting, the fact that there are usually several ideas presented simultaneously.

Anyway, I look forward to more of these discussions with you in the future, and in the meantime, have fun on the board!

Jeff

[TM]

I always thought it was directed to John, Barrie and David collectively. Even though he uses the words "love" and "dream of me," which makes you think it's a love song to a woman, there's too much there to think otherwise. And don't forget, Ian also has written "memories of men who loved me" in Wicked Windows...

[peterjamesbond]

Well, here's how it all happened. Looks like the stress of running the band, the terrible loss of John Glascock was too much for Ian Anderson and Barrie Barlow to take. Obviously a very bad patch in their lives, too bad it ended up as it did.

Never listened to "Wicked Windows" before. Holy cow--what a tome of regret.

[Deleted]

According to the wikipedia article for the broadsword and the beast album, Ian has stated the song is in a boy-girl context: "I don't write many songs about human relationships in the boy-girl context, but this is one that deals with the sadness of parting. But I hope it contains a hint of optimism!"

And as Jeff said, it does seem improbable that Ian would refer to Barrie as "love". The bit about drumming could be in reference to the title, perhaps. Then again, Ian is known for his double meanings in his lyrics, so the song could be about both--more centered around the idea of parting in general.

Here's the link to the wikipedia article in which he explains all the other original 10 songs as well: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadsword_and_the_Beast

[peterjamesbond]

I truly believe that's just Ian's "cover story", if you will. The references to band members are just too clear and explicit. I'm a drummer, and in a band it's the drummer who calls the tune by counting it off, hence my thought of Barrie Barlow, together with that beautiful snare work present throughout the arrangement. However, it just as easily could be John Glasscock, given the title, which also refers to a funeral dirge, John Evans, or all three.

Beautiful, touching song. I'd love to hear if anybody else has additional insights, and if not, well, doesn't all good poetry lend itself to these sorts of questions?

[Deleted]

It could be, though I don't know if he would be so worried to have people know that this was about a man (or men).

Even so, It would make sense that Ian and those boys would have a pretty deep understanding of each other at many levels, ey

[Misteman 4]

Well not too sure about the "true" meaning about the "Slow Marching Band" other than to say if Ian made reference of it being in certain context, have to take his word for it. He wrote the song. However someone mentioned the song "Teacher" from benefit album. I always from the first time hearing it and after listening to it a thousand times still believe it to be a story of a male "teacher" whom wanted lessons taught in bed. "I had a liar, right there in bed, I tried to socialize, could'nt find what I was looking for got something on my mind"...all the lyrics seem to reference a teacher...friend if you will who was gay and liked Ian when he was a boy. Obviously not Ian's "cup of wonder" so too speak. Interesting and catchy song, but as is the case with so much of Ian's lyrics the words come out in almost parables. Anyway "Slw Marching Band" is a classic, beautiful song.

[Nonfatman]

Jan 2, 2011 22:33:57 GMT -5 Misteman 4 said:

Well not too sure about the "true" meaning about the "Slow Marching Band" other than to say if Ian made reference of it being in certain context, have to take his word for it. He wrote the song. However someone mentioned the song "Teacher" from benefit album. I always from the first time hearing it and after listening to it a thousand times still believe it to be a story of a male "teacher" whom wanted lessons taught in bed. "I had a liar, right there in bed, I tried to socialize, could'nt find what I was looking for got something on my mind"...all the lyrics seem to reference a teacher...friend if you will who was gay and liked Ian when he was a boy. Obviously not Ian's "cup of wonder" so too speak. Interesting and catchy song, but as is the case with so much of Ian's lyrics the words come out in almost parables. Anyway "Slw Marching Band" is a classic, beautiful song.

I think you're absolutely right, James, it's hard to say what some of the songs "are about" because the lyrics very often do admit of more than one interpretation.

Yours is an interesting take on Teacher -- the third one that's been discussed here -- and it's definitely possible. I do remember hearing something similar about Watching You, Watching Me from the Broadsword album.

Jeff

[Deleted]

Definitely an interesting interpretation of Teacher. One of the coolest things about Tull is that the lyrics are packed full of different references and meanings--especially for us Americans who can't understand any of the English terminology and slang.

I'd be really interested to hear that other interpretation of Watching You, Watching Me if you ever remember it or find it Jeff, as it is one of my favorite Tull songs.

[Nonfatman]

Mar 26, 2011 17:47:13 GMT -5 @kaibailey said:

Definitely an interesting interpretation of Teacher. One of the coolest things about Tull is that the lyrics are packed full of different references and meanings--especially for us Americans who can't understand any of the English terminology and slang.

I'd be really interested to hear that other interpretation of Watching You, Watching Me if you ever remember it or find it Jeff, as it is one of my favorite Tull songs.

Hi, Kai

I recall reading somewhere, but I cannot remember where, that the song Watching You, Watching Me, had something to do with homosexuality, the main character in the song being uncomfortable with his own feelings of gayness, or something to that effect. But I'm not sure where I saw that, or if there's any validity to that interpretation, or any support for it in the lyrics.

Jeff

[Nonfatman]

KB,

I just took another look at the lyrics to Watching You, Watching Me, and there definitely is support for what I had read concerning the song being about the main character's discomfort with a possible homosexual advance, and also his unease about his possible openness toward such an advance.

At the end of the song his curiousity (bi-curiousity?) gets the better part of him, and he peeks at the man who is advancing toward him with two drinks in his hand.

At the Cup of Wonder lyric site, there is a quote from Ian where he states that the song is about being uncomfortable in the public eye, but I think there is more going on in the lyrics, and that there is something to the interpretation I read.

Jeff

[Deleted]

Interesting--makes a lot of sense. Ian and the boys definitely have a recurring theme of homosexuality here and there.