Summer Is Here: Taking Back the Sun from the South!

[.Scott]

Enjoy the season.
And let the southern hemisphere be on notice: We're taking the sun back!

 

[PeroK]

 

[.Scott]

Is there any specific reason for Jethro's references to seven - including the use of septuple meter?

Actually - I can answer my own question. He is simply offering methods of celebrating the solstice - all reference to 7 refer to dancing (or moving) to a septuple beat.

 

[pbuk]

Is there any specific reason for Jethro's references to seven - including the use of septuple meter?

Actually - I can answer my own question. He is simply offering methods of celebrating the solstice - all reference to 7 refer to dancing (or moving) to a septuple beat.

I think there's more to it than that: the first verse introduces the theme: Seven maids move in seven time; in the second verse we have Seven druids dance in seven time; in the final, third, verse we have the link:

Praise be to the distant sister sun,
Joyful as the silver planets run
Seven maids move in seven time
Sing the song the bells call, loudly chiming

I think Ian Anderson is making a link between the seven "planets" of antiquity (the Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn) and the seven dancers.

The number seven runs as a theme in many traditions, and I understand that the lyrics on the album Songs from the Wood were inspired by a book on folklore Anderson was reading. There are also Christian references on the album (e.g. in Songs from the Wood "I am the cross to take your nail"). But don't read too much into it, these are just evocative words that sound great together.

Velvet Green and Hunting Girl on the other hand are just about sex.

 

[Vanadium 50]

Did you know you can balance an egg on the solstice?

 

[topsquark]

Okay. There's "Yuletide." Is there a "Yule high tide" and a "Yule low tide?"

-Dan

 

[pbuk]

Did you know you can balance an egg on the solstice?

Wow, there are some credulous people around.

 

[pbuk]

Okay. There's "Yuletide." Is there a "Yule high tide" and a "Yule low tide?"

Oh yes, there's plenty of nautical aspects to this time of year - you can measure your speed through the water with a yule log.

 

[berkeman]

You people talk funny...

 

[Tom.G]

Did you know you can balance an egg on the solstice?

Hmm... Never seen a concave solstice. Where can I find one?

It might be useful for... uhh... uhmm... er, well maybe... no, OH! maybe a wall hanging!

(please excuse the core dump, it obviously needed to take one. )

Happy Holidays!

 

[Vanadium 50]

Wow, there are some credulous people around.

I maintain one can balance an egg on the solstice.

As well as Arbor Day, Palk Like a Pirate Day, Chester A. Arthur's birthday....

Is there a "Yule high tide" and a "Yule low tide?"

Well, it wouldn't be a Spring Tide, that's for sure.

("Neap, man., Neap")

 

[DrClaude]

Did you know you can balance an egg on the solstice?

What if I don't have a solstice? Can I balance it on something else?

 

[topsquark]

What if I don't have a solstice? Can I balance it on something else?

You can buy one at your local lingerie store, right next to n-tice.

-Dan

 

[DrClaude]

You can buy one at your local lingerie store, right next to n-tice.

-Dan

 

[pinball1970]

My friend is a pagan and always goes to Hartshead pike to do his stuff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartshead_Pike

 

[Vanadium 50]

Isn't today perihelion day?
Brrr...doesn't feel like it.

Now, to find an egg to balance.

 

[hutchphd]

Wear your sunscreen......(or do it at night!)

 

[.Scott]

Okay. We'll be getting the sun back later today.
A bit of a warning though. While in the custody of the Southern Hemisphere, the sun was allowed to grow some kind of Mohawk.