Broadsword

[ohnonotvic]

I love this song, it is intense, I grip is that it is about 30 years old . I am 57 and I just heard it for the first time this October.

[molealto]

Continually a little under the note... disappointing, 'cos the instruments are well done.

[tjrxk7]

Does the original justice. Job well done!

[GSHLproductions]

good job!

[dictionar1]

the 'roundhouse' in the Old Highlands, however, i think, were wooden. you have a pic of an Abby. which were a Norman/Christian idea brought to Britain ater the times of the Viking invasions to Scotland. Ok i'll shutup now. LOL

[jdyoungca]

Yeah, I know. When I showed the finished video to my daughter the first thing she said was "But that's not round, daddy!" :P

Basically I was envisaging a small fortified building where the non-combattants would take refuge when the vikings attacked and that was the closest picture I could find at the time. But you are correct, it is not what the historical roundhouse would have looked like.

Thank you very much for your other kind words - much appreciated.

[tubesubmissions]

The song is about Muslims attacking Christians in Spain. So said Ian Anderson in an interview, but so what it is right on in any aspect.

[jdyoungca]

Cool! I did not know that - thanks for the info. Do you know if he was thinking of the original invasion of the Spanish Visigothic kingdom or some of the later stuff during the reconquista? Also would you have a link to the interview? I'd be very interested to read it. I suppose that makes the line "Put our backs to the North Wind" make more sense since it would imply the attackers were coming from the south.

[kwiat77]

Nice. Yeah, I'm not sure about the Muslim take on things (a Muslim invaider of Spain would certainly not keep a golden cross as a talisman, nor would he fight with a broadsword). But hey, If Anderson said it, he said it. I've always imagined a general type of medieval warfare, circa 1000 AD. I think the song lends itself to open interpretation...Saxons, Vikings, Visigoths...and the mass migrations and ensuing battles of the medieval period. I think you had the imagery right on. Thanks.

[kwiat77]

Oh, ok - yeah... maybe the song is from the point of view of the defender. What do I know! - Anyway - thanks...great song.

[RasMajnouni]

@kwiat77 You are right,but all the lyrics point to the king of an invaded people which could be Spain(&really was for hundreds of years).If they put the children and women aside,they are on homeground.The Muslims did not take their family along on their attacks,& Cross,broadsword are European.The Muslims though our time did take their women to Germany & other European countries.Enough babies,enough disgusted with the church Christians & a peaceful revolution will be won.Green flags over Europe.

[dictionar1]

i'm speechless! i love history and the tull. your spin on this song, combined with the imagery, brought the feeling of the events back where the tull left off. the tapestry, the celtic cross...whew. i got chills!

[ExiledLadyLove]

It is a difficult song to do well, You have acheived that!,, Great work child.

[pacoxguitar]

Excellent Jeff!! keep on rockin!