Moody Blues Lyric

[Fred W]

I was looking for a copy of the lyrics to the song "Nights in White Satin", by the Moody Blues I wanted a cut'n paste of the poem spoken at the end. I've always liked it and it has some special significance to me. But, wherever I searched the internet I kept coming up with the same mistake over and over. In fact, I was not able to find ANY site that had it correct. I'm talking about the first word in the 3rd line. Invariably they have "Bedsetter" or "Bedsitter", either of which are quite stupid considering that the next word is people. Yeah, I'm sure Justin Hayward wrote "bedsetter people"

Breathe deep the gathering gloom

Watch lights fade from every room

Bedsetter people look back and lament

Another day's useless energy's spent

Impassioned lovers wrestle as one

Lonely man cries for love and has none

New mother picks up and suckles her son

Senior citizens wish they were young

Cold-hearted orb that rules the night

Removes the colors from our sight

Red is grey and yellow white,

But we decide which is right,

And which is an illusion.

I can hear what the right word is when listening to it. How could so many lyric sites be wrong?

 

[odot]

Geez, I hope they don't keep you up worried all night.

 

[zzzzip]

I know I'll sleep better now.

Seriously, back in the early '70s when I was working 12 on and 12 off, I would put that cut on the record player (yes---it was a 33 1/3) and be asleep before the song ended. Talk about conditioning.

And you are right about the word.

B)

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

From Wikipedia, 'Lists of British Words not widely used in the United States':

bedsit (or bedsitter)

one-room apartment that serves as a bedroom and a living room

-----------------------------

Hence, a bedsitter person (people) would be a poor working class stiff, stuck in life's rut. Fits the context of the poem.

At least it's not bedwetter people!

Yeah, I used to listen to that too.

 

[Scab]

Yeah, I'm sure Justin Hayward wrote "bedsetter people"

It is reported that Justin Hayward wrote this while in his Bed-Sit in Bayswater.

However, the last part was actually a poem written by their drummer, Graeme Edge. It was read by keyboard player Mike Pinder.

Late Lament

 

[Fred W]

From Wikipedia, 'Lists of British Words not widely used in the United States':
bedsit (or bedsitter)

one-room apartment that serves as a bedroom and a living room

-----------------------------

Hence, a bedsitter person (people) would be a poor working class stiff, stuck in life's rut. Fits the context of the poem.

At least it's not bedwetter people!

Yeah, I used to listen to that too.

Whoa, now you've made me doubt my ears. Perhaps I'm wrong (it wouldn't be the first time).

Try substituting the word "Pensative" and listen to it... It sure sounds right to me and it also fits with the rest of the line better.

 

[juniorfjr]

Yeah, I used to listen to that too.

Used To???????

 

[exskibum]

Try substituting the word "Pensative" and listen to it... It sure sounds right to me and it also fits with the rest of the line better.

"Pensative"??? Not saying it isn't a word, but I don't know it and it's not in my Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. Conflating "sensitive" and "pensive" maybe?

Haven't listened to the song in a while, but will probably have to put it on now.

I have seen precious few lyric and tablature sites that have been dead accurate in the last 10 or 11 years or so since I first found them on the web. LOTS of errors in many, and I would typically use the best of several as the basis for a rewrite as a chart, while going over it with the CD playing to correct what I think is wrong. Can be time consuming, but they at least give you some ideas and do a lot of the work of transcribing -- IF you get one that is reasonably accurate.

Another illustration is tabs that will call out guitar chords (with chord diagram or string/fret notation) that are nearly impossible to transition to or from. Spend a bit of time with the record and some common sense about how a player probably did it under his fingers, and you often find out that the transcriber may have the chord right or close, but in the wrong position -- screw around with a couple different chord grips in different positions and you may have it nailed. These things are just an aid with work still required, not scores made by the guys that recorded them.

 

[double_entendre]

<fx: Humming "Don't fear the reefer.">

Rancho

 

[Bustanut joker]

I see a baboon riding- CCR

Scuse me will I piss 'n the fire- Hendrix

K?

:jester:

 

[exskibum]

<fx: Humming "Don't fear the reefer.">
Rancho

:lol2: :lol2: :guitar: :good: :lol2: :lol2:

 

[Scab]

What? That ain't right? Wow, I now some guys that based their lives on that...

 

[Hit the Road Jack]

Lyrics to Knights in White Satin (including poem)

Who knows if it's correct?

 

[Scab]

The Shadow knows...

 

[worldbound4now]

Ok... this is f'n crazy.... was thinking about how this song brings back memories.... then Memories from Phantom of the Opera began running through my head... then began thinking about Maxx Headroom... then realized that I'm tired and should go to bed. BTW... I love my FJR.

 

[Fred W]

Try substituting the word "Pensative" and listen to it... It sure sounds right to me and it also fits with the rest of the line better.

"Pensative"??? Not saying it isn't a word, but I don't know it and it's not in my Webster's Unabridged Dictionary. Conflating "sensitive" and "pensive" maybe?

a lot of places seem to think it means "pensive":

clicky But it wasn't listed in Oxford's either.

I guess it's just another case of (me) being fooled by arcane brittish slang. Bedsitter. Sheesh,

Who knew? ...well, besides "Hit The Road Jack" I mean?

Color me stupid :blush:

 

[RonBB]

Interesting Thread..........Love this forum! You can tell when the weather goes downhill in much of the nation by the threads posted. Much better than a dogpile thread though. Sorry for the hi-jack..........It's cold & drizzling here with fog. Write safe. Ron

 

[smitty141]

Have you ever played it backwards??? :sleepy: Smitty

 

[Fred W]

Have you ever played it backwards??? :sleepy: Smitty

Funkmaster Smitty, you've got a CD player that runs forwards and backwards?

Man, you've got everything!