My humble interpretations are in parentheses, in the section we are focusing on…
A Man For All Seasons
What if you reached the age of reason only to find there was no reprieve, Would you still be a man for all seasons or would you just have to leave
We measure our days out in steps of uncertainty, Not turning to see how we've come, And peer down the highway
From here to eternity and reach out for love on the run, While the man for all seasons is lost behind the sun
Henry Plantagenet* still looks for someone to bring good news in his hour of doubt, While Thomas More waits in the Tower of London watching the sands running out
And measures the hours out from here to oblivion, In actions that can't be undone, A sailor through the darkness
He scans the meridian and caught by the first rays of dawn, The man for all seasons is lost beneath the storm
And I should know by now, I should know by now, I hear them call it out all around, Oh they go
There's nothing to believe in, Hear them, Just daydreams deceiving, They'll just let you down
So what if you reached the age of reason only to find there was no reprieve, Would you still be a man for all seasons or would you just disbelieve
We measure our gains out in luck and coincidence, Lanterns to turn back in the night, And put our defeats down to chance or experience and try once again for the light
Some wait for the waters of fortune to cover them
(“Nothing is changed in Austria” people. Pollyannas who see nothing wrong and cling to their dreams.)
Some just see the tides of ill chance rushing over them
(Despair. No hope or trust in God.)
Some call on Jehovah, some cry out to Allah
(Realizing the jig is up and seeking mercy.)
Some wait for the boats that still row to Valhalla
(Surrender to conditioned helplessness. Dependence on the State.)
Well you try to accept what the fates are unfolding
(You either accept the official narrative or the truth. Either way, it’s not fun.)
While some say they're sure where the shame should be falling
(Everyone has an opinion. Sound familiar?)
You look round for maybe a chance of forestalling
(Constructively helping yourself and others. That’s what we’re doing here!)
But too soon it's over and done, And the man for all seasons is lost behind the sun
~ ~ ~
Scottish-born Al Stewart is best known for his 70’s hits “Time Passages” and “Year of the Cat.” The above song is from the album “Time Passages,” from 1978. I acquired the CD not long ago and found this song about a Catholic saint, surprising and refreshing! Stewart’s lyrics are brilliant and speak to the universal human condition, including the times upon us. Last month, we celebrated Saint Thomas More’s main feast and this month, we have celebrated a minor feast, so let’s take a look at this song which honors him…
The title did not originate with the play that spawned the famous 1966 movie. It originated from the pen of Robert Whittington, who knew More personally. Whittington was a well-known English grammarian and expert in Latin, who described him as such: “More is a man of an angel's wit and singular learning…a man of marvelous mirth and pastimes, and sometime of as sad gravity. A man for all seasons." At the time of this published compliment, More had risen to Parliament and the companionship of King Henry VIII. The playwright Robert Bolt used the title to illustrate More’s steadfast nature, even when facing a time of persecution. The title is poetic. Bolt’s use of it was not the original intent. It is evocative and interpretive. Al Stewart would likely agree.
Stewart assumes the role of observer, struggling with cynicism and asking the question, “What would you do?” He claims our saint is lost “behind the sun” and “beneath the storm.” But we know he has not been lost at all, for he is now in the glory of Heaven! It is the human condition that we often must choose between Heaven and Earth and our times are no different. Stewart goes on to comprehensively illustrate ways people behave when within the pressure cooker. The question here for us is, “Which ones resemble me?”
The life and death of Saint Thomas More is an inspiring example for our own times. Songwriter Al Stewart has beautifully shown this in word and melody. It’s time for us all to face the music, unto the glory of God and the salvation of souls!
* Henry VIII was a Tudor, not a Plantagenet. I can only assume Stewart did this for rhythmical reasons. PS This was a departure from what I normally do-I have a background in songwriting, so this was lots of fun. I saw Al Stewart several years ago, as an opening act for another band-it was great seeing the guy I’ve always admired and he is still at it-you can check the link above for upcoming shows. BTW, I think the best line in the song is, “Some wait for the boats that still row to Valhalla.” Genius! That line led to some research into Norse mythology which I nuked from the post. We could have done a Wagner tangent too…Wagner…hmmmmmmmm.