Al Stewart - Hanno The Navigator

Great Song !
Enjoy it ...


Lyrics ...

It's a good day
for going to sea
Hanno the Navigator said to me.
There's an open sky and a steady breeze
out beyond the Pillars of Hercules.
Above the foam-kissed waves seagulls scream
up in the masts of our trireme
and it's a good day
for going to sea
Hanno the Navigator said to me.

Water
Water
From horizon to horizon
All I see is water

Steer beyond all maps and charts
down along the coast of Africa.
The first Phoenicians on this beach,
where the monkeys gibber and the parakeets screech.
Strangest women run wild down there,
covered head to toe in fur and hair.
They fight like demons,
better let them be,
Hanno the Navigator said to me.

Water
Water
From horizon to horizon
All I see is water

When you pull close to your fire at night
with your family framed in the candlelight,
safe inside these walls of stone
in the only village you've ever known.
The rain-soaked moon plays splintered crystal
shadows on your windowsill.
Like sparks of light in the shifting skies,
our ancient ships go sailing still on

Water
Water
When my sailing days are done
I'll seek Poseidon's daughter.

Oarsmen pull and curse and sweat
underneath this creaking deck.
At night I hear their stories told,
strong through storms and weak for gold.
Carthage stands like an azure pearl
here in the middle of the known world.
And it's a good day
for going to sea,
Hanno the Navigator said to me.

Water
Water
From horizon to horizon
All I see is water.
Water
Water
When my sailing days are done
I'll seek Poseidon's daughter.

It's a good day
for going to sea,
Hanno the Navigator said to me.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Hanno
• The
• Navigator
• Al
• Stewart

[invader147]

I can't believe this song came out 2008, Al Stewart sounds the same as he did in the 70's, I also like that his songs have historical meaning.

[reh1959]

One of Britains true but under-rated talents.

[smartalek180]

@tramanor "Al Stewart is a consumate (if you don't know what this word means look it up in a dictionary) story teller."

Second that.

I'd even go you one better, and say he's a "consummate" storyteller.

Writes good tunes, too.

And like so many of his fans, I wish he'd get more recognition and mainstream success -- but at the same time, get a little guilty pleasure of knowing that we know the secret that most people don't.

[sourisvoleur]

@cherimelodie Hear, hear re. Manuscript. What an incredible song.

[tramanor]

@cherimelodie rac, I definitly exclude you from my comment above. I completely disagree with you, but love your usage of the language.

[tramanor]

Forget it people. Some individuals have no clue about the simple fact that music throughout history has always been about stories. Al Stewart is a consumate (if you don't know what this word means look it up in a dictionary) story teller.

[rac717]

@g12886 Yeah if only there were more like KC and the Sunshine Band. There is lots of music for drones. About Al, writing songs and playing piano and guitar is what he does. If you don't like what Al does, there is everyone else, most of whom bore ME into catatonia.

[rac717]

@JPSoviet Try listening to the song, and you'll be surprised to find that it is an amazing tune, with musical and lyrical surprises aplenty.

[cherimelodie]

@rac717 Excellent question! It 's beyond me; his lyrics/music should be shoved right under her silly royal nose! Manuscript alone is worthy of knighthood, and it only precedes a generous plethera of songwritings obviously/undeniably suitable! Does an issue of "selling out" to America/Hollywood w/ Year Of The Cat lyrics serve to preclude?! Completely ludicrous/should not be any part of the equation! :) Aaah, 'tis not for the title/queen's recognition, rather, the sorely needed awareness...

[VulpeLunatica]

@SuperWiz666 Uhm has anyone seen Emma Bunton lately? ----> =) =) =) =) But yes i see what you mean.

[SuperWiz666]

Love this one!

[Grendel650]

@g12886 lol, you'll not be listening to any more then? Will save you the trouble of moaning...

May I suggest a few Spice girls songs?

That should provide sufficient blandness to your lyrical quest!

:) Good luck in that quest!