The opening bars transitioning from orchestra to rock, are for me, one of the best musical experiences I ve had. Beyond chills. A surging adrenaline rush.
When I was little in the 70s, I heard that song on the radio, but never knew who it was. But the lyrics, "Thought I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind" was a hook that got stuck in the back of my head when I was younger. Fifty years later, the song lives.
I like the opening line _"Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company."_ When a rider comes off their horse, and they are close to home, the horse usually runs away from the fallen rider back to the safety of his stall. However, if you are far from home (meaning the conquistador had traveled far) and you fall off, the horse usually stands there waiting and puzzled as to what to do. I've always thought that was a very clever line.
You're overthinking this. The stallion stands, riderless, because the Conquistador is dead. But the horse survives. Ironically, it was the Spanish horses that would escape, ending up with the Natives of Western North America. So the horses survive to help other losers in the cosmic drama.
@@northwestprof60 exactly. Not many realize this song is the story of when the spaniards came to cupa ... and enslaved them. Usa played its part... Love this band at this record and Pandoras box are full of delecacy 🏖
@@northwestprof60 No, there's no "overthinking" just you being "over opinionated". Like ffs, let someone else have their own interpretation of the lyrics. Jeezus, buddy. 🙄
I wholeheartedly agree. After 50 years I never tire of listening to it! It ranks very high on my all time list as well. Sounds even more amazing when listening with headphones.
Probably listened to this a thousand times on the Magnavox stereo console we had when I was a teen that an uncle brought back from the states. Wore that needle out between this and the Kinks. Good times.
50 years of reading history and my appreciation for the song and how it captures the transitiveness of human striving is stronger. Beyond sadness lies understanding.
@@ellenmmartin My guess is that 99% of the time a more advanced group of people met a lesser one it didn't go well for the latter. Maybe survival of the fittest, maybe our primal instinct of survival that is not completely humanitarian. Humans advance scientifically faster than spiritually.
I used to write lyrics and indeed had songs published but these words are magnificent.... I remember I was 14 and saw this on Top of the Pops and was totally mesmerized ...this song has both haunted and inspired me over the years... Gary's vocals and the musicianship of Procoll Harum is beyond my comprehension.....just a drop of their inspiration would have greatly been appreciated ... sadly they're rightly revered whereas I'm forgotten...👍👍👍👍👍
24 dislikes now in 2021. I don't know what those people are listening to, but music just doesn't get any better than this. And if they're knee-jerk reacting to the fact that it's about conquistadors, they're clearly not listening; this is hardly a celebration of them.
There's been some long standing philosophical arguments about the line, " there is no, only all". The word used is claimed to be, " There is no, aureole"- a glow around a person, or a halo. Seems like it makes a lil more sense. I thought for decades the former was the line. But I can see where the later would make more sense.
Aureole makes sense because because it's a demon speaking to a dead Conquistador. The Conquistador even dead reeks of purity. And the demon keeps seeking a place to unwind which he will never find unlike the Conquistador. Evil will never see an aureole.
Majestuosa. Creo que los Saxon, cimentadores del heavymetal como subgénero del rockmetal, se inspiraron en esta obra maestra para hacer su tambien monumental canción Conquistador.....
Wow… I remember this song from when it was a hit, and always thought it was about a conqueror who went out, fought, and lost a battle and his life. Finally listened to this video with the lyrics, turns out the guy was already dead at the start of the song and was likely old and went out for one last ride to remember his glory days as his life left him. Very different from my childhood musings.
Sounds like a Mexican telling Spanaird that he came out to admired how they were awed in battle by thuer strength but he see nothing worthy anymore in his strength or glory niether the armour shines and not worthy of a jeer! but found it meaningless.
I respect your opinion and how this song has touched you It’s lyrics are unique and the subject is not something anyone really would have thought of….. but I do think other artists have other great things that are in themselves unique and great as well This PH song the lyrics are profound and once he discovered and latched unto this subject he did a fabulous job however I do think what he wrote maybe seemed kind of obvious at times (just my opinion) Idk I could be wrong It feels like sometimes to me the more clever thing really was thinking of that particular subject I’ll read certain lyrics for example and think “You know maybe I could of thought of something like that or different or maybe even better if I would of thought of that idea first” Lol It is just speculation though lol…Thanks
@@richarddelgado2723 There is no doubt the musicians of today are not up to it...they are performers and not musicians. The don't write their songs or music or use live music such as drum tracks or guitars... Everything is fabricated in a studio... that's why their live concerts suck.
Reminds me a lot of a guy who lived with my family and I when I was in my early teens. He loved the song! Sadly though, he passed away a couple days ago
@@donaldksiazek8404 And, with regards to the lyrics, there's not enough thought either. Why can't they write anymore? With all the many topics they could write about: politics, the complexity of modern life, etc. and their talking about...girls. I understand that will be the bulk of any troubadour's repertoire--but they show about as much emotion as having to do the laundry.
Hello Fellow Canadian! I am over in Vancouver. I see your comment was from one year ago. Did they start playing it more now? I seriously have become consumed with music....and this band is great!
Really? That's so funny. There is absolutely nothing Lite about this song, from the lyrics, to the pounding drumming, to the searing guitar solo, to the blasts from the brass section. This is a great, passionate, stirring song. @@905prez
I believe the line - "I see there is no, 'only all'" may be incorrect. I think should be - "I see there is no 'aureole'". Which means "a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, especially as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy." As the light begins to fade he sees there is no halo around the once splendidly clad conquistador. He opens his eyes to this misconception. Wrapping up the opening statement from the first verse when his apparent appearance of purity was compared to an angels haloed brow. He came to jeer at the holy soldier then felt regret. He was just another man who died in vain. Driving home the theme that he can 'see no maze to unwind' and reminding the conquistador that he was not as complex to figure out as hoped. He wasn't holy or superior, he was a merely a corpse on the beach. Keep in mind this song was written during the Viet Nam War and surely carries many other profound meanings. 'Aureole' could be the correct word, but, all else is my interpretation. Although he may be saying 'only all'. I don't know. Excellent video, though. Liked and Subscribed. Thank you.
correct--it is a further reference to the Conquistadors claiming to be Christianizing the Native peoples but in reality killing, enslaving them and plundering their kingdoms of riches. that is why the speaker derisively says "you reek of purity"==ie hypocritical claims to holiness.
Some comments say that in the lyrics the phrase toward the end of the song 'there is no, only all' is actually 'there is no aureole'. It makes sense since the person looking at the dead conquistador makes a reference to 'reeks of purity'...'like some Angel's Haloed brow'. But unlike a real Angel's Haloed brow, there is no halo for the dead conquistador, no aureole.
Early doors rock sounding as good 2day as it was then , infact the reality is we might not have known it so much back then 🤔Reason being there was so much great music back then you could be excused 4 missing or 4getting how good it was 🤓Even now when utube gives us these timely reminders it's a sort of kick up ya arse that makes you realise how good the music of life was in those days ! Thanx procol harem
Was there not a Top of the pops promo video of this featuring a Conquistador and a ghostly deadly lady ? I have a vision of this in my mind as a young boy ! Love to see it again !
These lyrics aren’t perfect. The correct line: “And as the gloom begins to fall, I see there is no aureole.” An ‘aureole’ is akin to a ‘halo’. This makes much more sense than what they show here: “And as the gloom begins to fall, I see there is no, only all.”
@@spyralstarecase9366 a dead conquistador is lying in the sand at a beach after a battle--he is observed by one of the survivors who sees him. The survivor notes the elaborate armor and shield, horse and sword and remembers the Conquistadors coming and telling their people that they were holy warriors(you reek of purity). The survivor muses that he came to make fun of the dead man but realizes it is futile because the man came to conquer but he only died. The survivor then leaves.
Aureole (Aureola?) works best. The gloom is falling, so if there was an Aureole it would show in the dark. But there isn't, so it doesn't. These guys knew how to write intelligent lyrics.
This version became a hit in 1972, taken from a live concert. The original, released in 1967, was a studio version. The original didn't make the charts in the USA but did in the UK. I love this version more. There was only one rehearsal where the band could play with the orchestra (cause of equipment delays). But man, they REALLY NAILED IT.
Thank you both very much! This version is for sure my preferred edition lol. Reminds me of a trip I took with my family on a greyhound where I listened to this on repeat on my gameboy when I was a kid. Great stuff
i have loved this song since I was about nine for the music and the only lyric my childish attention span heard was stallion cos I loved horses.I wish I could understand the meaning of these poetic lyrics/ They have to be deep.Yes I agree with historic futility but why leave with respect? Maybe because as in most cases it is a young ,inexperienced man fighting and dying for some power /In this case, Isuspect it could be the Roman Catholic church??
@@claudiodominguez. "Reek" is a word used as a pejorative; to reek of something means you're emanating a strong, unpleasant smell, "to be strongly pervaded with something unpleasant or offensive." JMO, the writer is saying that Conquistador's "purity" is a facade covering the rottenness inside. @Rick Harvey I think the song could be applied to any "conqueror." Genesis explores this theme in about 3 of their early songs (The Conqueror, Genesis to Revelation; Knife, Trespass; One For the Vine, Wind & Wuthering; also partly in Supper's Ready, Foxtrot.)
@@indy_go_blue6048 I agree that this song is anti Conquistador, in all walks of life you will find good and bad. Anything evil would perceive a powerful aura of Christianity as "reeking". Using the word "reek" doesn't apply to the nature of the emitting source, it applies to the perception of the offended. So a demon will perceive a powerful Christian aura as "reeking" because it's d offended by it's goodness. "And like an angels haloed brow You reek of purity" This is verbatim and obvious that the entity is offended by an "angelic haloed brow". My first comment is about the sense of regret, the one offended was regretful because even though the essence of life has long moved on, the powerful aura of Christianity was still present. The offended probably wondered if in death this powerful, what amazing aura in life. One can only conclude that this Conquistador is one of the Good.
@@claudiodominguez. The beauty of art (music, literature, art) is the ability of the individual to interpret it according to his own light and understanding. While I don't see the "conquistador" as anything good, I appreciate your comment very much.
@@indy_go_blue6048 I reciprocate your appreciation of our different points of view and the respect to eachother. I could further try and prove my point using the lyrics verbatim as factual evidence. But we can just agree to disagree and be happy to have had a civil dialogue. Merry Christmas and Happy new year !
This version 1971, released in 1972 is with Dave Ball on guitar, Robin Trower played on the original lackluster 1967 studio version. Robin Trower also wasn't on Procol Harum's other hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale".
Waite a minute in another video with translation was different this video I mean alotta words were different which nearly changed the whole song narrative for so why and which one has the Wright lyrics?
am I crazy but the rythm of this song makes me think of some parts of "The Phantom of the Opera?" Obviously this band was around first so wondering if the Phantom based some music on inspiration from these guys?
You mean to the people that practiced human sacrifices and cannibalism. The Conquistadors didn't take it very well when the tribe's king would proudly show the altar were little children were sacrificed. One Conquistador wrote of the horrid, pungent smell of blood at the altar. It's so easy to condemn the Conquistadors when modern day history leaves out cannibalism and child sacrifices by the natives. These natives weren't a peaceful society, they fought constantly against neighboring tribes and ate them. The Conquistadors were not all good nor were they all bad but cannibalism and human sacrifices was beyond their comprehension.
how do we unwind a MAZE? i always thought it was 'i can see no PLACE to unwind' all the way through. and i always thought it was 'came to conquer ..only divide ;P. well hey that's not as bad as 'i got a black magic woman and she's tryin to take a pebble out of me' EDIT i dont like it when people try to make a song political but i was just sitting here thinking about how much inertia and angst there seems to be all around in the 21st century.. and this old song just POPPED! into my head, i looked it up on old faithful youTube and listened for the first time in years.. it fits MUCH MORE with the 21st than with the 20th century (even the war eras). Anyway kinda reminds me of Q & tRUMP loyalist Gen. Flynn. but it is tRUMP who makes me feel the inertia and angst expressed in this song so very very well.
Why put the lyrics one line at a time, and on top of that not even sync them properly? Some of the phrases are half-done by the time the lyrics show on the screen.
+joseph ortiz I put the lyrics on one at a time because I think it looks nicer that way. Where are the lyrics wrong? "And though I came to jeer at you" at 2:45? I just watched the whole video and that was the only thing off and it's only late by like half a second. Maybe your internet connection is bad.
@@lyrics4me54 "Only all" is incorrect. The line is "aureole", a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, especially as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy.
It’s testament to the appalling taste of the public that Procol Harum are best remembered for garbage like Whiter Shade of Pale when they’re capable of turning out gems like this. Joint goes your way!
The opening bars transitioning from orchestra to rock, are for me, one of the best musical experiences I ve had. Beyond chills. A surging adrenaline rush.
When I was little in the 70s, I heard that song on the radio, but never knew who it was. But the lyrics, "Thought I hoped for something to find, I could see no maze to unwind" was a hook that got stuck in the back of my head when I was younger. Fifty years later, the song lives.
I like the opening line _"Conquistador your stallion stands in need of company."_ When a rider comes off their horse, and they are close to home, the horse usually runs away from the fallen rider back to the safety of his stall. However, if you are far from home (meaning the conquistador had traveled far) and you fall off, the horse usually stands there waiting and puzzled as to what to do. I've always thought that was a very clever line.
You're overthinking this. The stallion stands, riderless, because the Conquistador is dead. But the horse survives. Ironically, it was the Spanish horses that would escape, ending up with the Natives of Western North America. So the horses survive to help other losers in the cosmic drama.
@@northwestprof60 exactly. Not many realize this song is the story of when the spaniards came to cupa ... and enslaved them. Usa played its part...
Love this band at this record and Pandoras box are full of delecacy 🏖
@@northwestprof60 it could be both but I'm inclined to agree with you more. There is much talk of death in this song.
@@northwestprof60
No, there's no "overthinking" just you being "over opinionated". Like ffs, let someone else have their own interpretation of the lyrics.
Jeezus, buddy. 🙄
The conquistadors are still here. In us, mestizos. No one has died, we’re still alive. Just look closer.
One of my favorite tunes of all time. This was a huge hit when i was in high school, brings me back to when life was so much simpler!
Absolutely, my friend !! A classic forever
Great tune
@Elizabeth Mincey
I like your humor !!
Man this guy could write lyrics.
Keith Reid wrote the lyrics.
"You did not conquer. Only died" So many great lines from this song that captured a time in history very well.
Absolutely unbelievable! One of the best rock songs of all time. In my top 5!
I wholeheartedly agree. After 50 years I never tire of listening to it! It ranks very high on my all time list as well. Sounds even more amazing when listening with headphones.
Thank-you for the musical genius you gifted us with-- please rest in peace Gary Brooker
Died in 2022, this year.
Probably listened to this a thousand times on the Magnavox stereo console we had when I was a teen that an uncle brought back from the states. Wore that needle out between this and the Kinks. Good times.
My parents got me a Magnavox for my birthday and that was the first song I played, full blast! I miss my parents everyday.
I think it was their best single. A Salty Dog very very good.
So did I. My sisters favorite song by them.
my fav tune it's awesome ,,takes me back to 73 when times were good for a kid
I was in early high school 1973 what a music .wooauh.
Same year I got my learners permit and bought a brand new 74 Chevrolet pickup truck.
Ben listening to this for almost 50 years and the words only sadden me more.
50 years of reading history and my appreciation for the song and how it captures the transitiveness of human striving is stronger. Beyond sadness lies understanding.
@@ellenmmartin My guess is that 99% of the time a more advanced group of people met a lesser one it didn't go well for the latter. Maybe survival of the fittest, maybe our primal instinct of survival that is not completely humanitarian. Humans advance scientifically faster than spiritually.
The lyrics of this song really paint a picture of empathy for those souls misguided by hubris to their ultimate failure.
I used to write lyrics and indeed had songs published but these words are magnificent.... I remember I was 14 and saw this on Top of the Pops and was totally mesmerized ...this song has both haunted and inspired me over the years... Gary's vocals and the musicianship of Procoll Harum is beyond my comprehension.....just a drop of their inspiration would have greatly been appreciated ... sadly they're rightly revered whereas I'm forgotten...👍👍👍👍👍
Brillant Version of this ingenious song . Love it! Procol Herum one of my favourite bands in the 60‘s and the beginning of the 70‘s.
16 Dislikes ? it's a musical masterpiece..
Many people prefer to look at the song with moral and or ethical values instead of just enjoying good music.
See the maze. Visit Gematria effect news.
24 dislikes now in 2021. I don't know what those people are listening to, but music just doesn't get any better than this. And if they're knee-jerk reacting to the fact that it's about conquistadors, they're clearly not listening; this is hardly a celebration of them.
Some people are simply assholes
Sometimes there is just no place for political correctness, just enjoy the music!
Great lyrics. Incomparable.
One of the best songs ever.
Love This Song & proud To Have Been Born In 1961 Moody Blues Proco Harum Etc Etc
Badasssssssss
I like this song as well as the Moody blues. I was born in 1979.
1958 👍🏼🇨🇦
You're a year younger than my little brother Joe born 1960.
@@jennyaldrich7456 Well somebody did something right, like me my son loves all this music he was born 1978 my oldest.
There's been some long standing philosophical arguments about the line, " there is no, only all". The word used is claimed to be, " There is no, aureole"- a glow around a person, or a halo. Seems like it makes a lil more sense. I thought for decades the former was the line. But I can see where the later would make more sense.
there is no HALO when threr is HELL ALL OVeR
But yet with a death mask he reeked of purity. And someone looking for clues in the twilight would not be granted a view of eternal glow.
Aureole makes sense because because it's a demon speaking to a dead Conquistador. The Conquistador even dead reeks of purity. And the demon keeps seeking a place to unwind which he will never find unlike the Conquistador.
Evil will never see an aureole.
@@arturovaldes546 That's an interesting observation, now I have a different way of interpreting. Thanks for that comment.
@@arturovaldes546 I agree with you because the lines, _I came to jeer at you, but I leave with regret_ and _I hoped for something to find._
I've been listening to this for 50 yrs, it only gets better.
A drummer's delight!
After all these years, I never knew this song had lyrics. Amazing music!
Wow such a great hit by procul harum❤
Majestuosa. Creo que los Saxon, cimentadores del heavymetal como subgénero del rockmetal, se inspiraron en esta obra maestra para hacer su tambien monumental canción Conquistador.....
That Danish trumpet player really nailed it...
This version was performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. The live version with the Danish Orchestra was much later.
Wow…
I remember this song from when it was a hit, and always thought it was about a conqueror who went out, fought, and lost a battle and his life. Finally listened to this video with the lyrics, turns out the guy was already dead at the start of the song and was likely old and went out for one last ride to remember his glory days as his life left him.
Very different from my childhood musings.
Sounds like a Mexican telling Spanaird that he came out to admired how they were awed in battle by thuer strength but he see nothing worthy anymore in his strength or glory niether the armour shines and not worthy of a jeer! but found it meaningless.
Great Sn. The Classic ai Spanish opening is fantastic, the band magnificient
Never again will there be a song with such deep and amazing lyrics. The "musicians" of today just aren't up to it
I respect your opinion and how this song has touched you It’s lyrics are unique and the subject is not something anyone really would have thought of….. but I do think other artists have other great things that are in themselves unique and great as well This PH song the lyrics are profound and once he discovered and latched unto this subject he did a fabulous job however I do think what he wrote maybe seemed kind of obvious at times (just my opinion) Idk I could be wrong It feels like sometimes to me the more clever thing really was thinking of that particular subject I’ll read certain lyrics for example and think “You know maybe I could of thought of something like that or different or maybe even better if I would of thought of that idea first” Lol It is just speculation though lol…Thanks
@@richarddelgado2723 You seem to really enjoy mental "auto eroticism", doncha?
@@richarddelgado2723 There is no doubt the musicians of today are not up to it...they are performers and not musicians. The don't write their songs or music or use live music such as drum tracks or guitars...
Everything is fabricated in a studio... that's why their live concerts suck.
Come on, they have Post Malone.
These amazing lyrics were written by Keith Reid.
Great song one my favorite rock bands from the great old music days.
Reminds me a lot of a guy who lived with my family and I when I was in my early teens. He loved the song! Sadly though, he passed away a couple days ago
Can you even imagine a great song like this coming out now?
By some moistened bint such as Beyonce? Ha ha!
Couldn't happen...
The talent is not there.
@@donaldksiazek8404 And, with regards to the lyrics, there's not enough thought either. Why can't they write anymore? With all the many topics they could write about: politics, the complexity of modern life, etc. and their talking about...girls. I understand that will be the bulk of any troubadour's repertoire--but they show about as much emotion as having to do the laundry.
For those of you who listen to Toronto's Rock Station 107.1FM This is their Most Underplayed song
Hello Fellow Canadian! I am over in Vancouver. I see your comment was from one year ago. Did they start playing it more now? I seriously have become consumed with music....and this band is great!
lite 92.1 plays it often 😎
Absolutely.
Really? That's so funny. There is absolutely nothing Lite about this song, from the lyrics, to the pounding drumming, to the searing guitar solo, to the blasts from the brass section. This is a great, passionate, stirring song. @@905prez
Gotta love the classics
Love this back in the day.
There´s nothing to conquer but happiness. Statues became what they sing here.
Stunning !
song gives me goosebumps. I always think of Evel Knievel when I hear this song. He was definitely a modern day conquistador.
If you really pay attention to the song they are not glorifying conquistadors. Quite to the contrary. The song was an insult to conquistadors.
kenwayne96 Well that’s just interesting.
@@joerowland607 I'll take the insult proudly if only wearing a death mask I reek of purity.
?? He was a glory hound who loved money and fame, not the military arm of a religion! lol
@@northwestprof60 The conquistador weren't really religious , they were hypocrites, they just wanted money, powers and titles.
Meraviglia ❤❤❤
Love this song!
Absolutely excellent song
I believe the line - "I see there is no, 'only all'" may be incorrect. I think should be - "I see there is no 'aureole'". Which means "a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, especially as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy." As the light begins to fade he sees there is no halo around the once splendidly clad conquistador. He opens his eyes to this misconception. Wrapping up the opening statement from the first verse when his apparent appearance of purity was compared to an angels haloed brow. He came to jeer at the holy soldier then felt regret. He was just another man who died in vain. Driving home the theme that he can 'see no maze to unwind' and reminding the conquistador that he was not as complex to figure out as hoped. He wasn't holy or superior, he was a merely a corpse on the beach. Keep in mind this song was written during the Viet Nam War and surely carries many other profound meanings. 'Aureole' could be the correct word, but, all else is my interpretation. Although he may be saying 'only all'. I don't know. Excellent video, though. Liked and Subscribed. Thank you.
ONE of my favourite all time songs,rythyms,lyrics,and bands!!!
Beautyful song and strong
Yes, the lyrics are outstanding. But Robin Trower's great solo is stupendous as well!
It's not Robin Trower! He had left the band by 1972. The guitar solo is by his replacement, Dave Ball.
I didn't know! TY@@immaculataobrien2226
Conquistador did conquer, and destroyed the Aztec nation in doing so.
The lyric is aureole not only all. It means halo.
correct--it is a further reference to the Conquistadors claiming to be Christianizing the Native peoples but in reality killing, enslaving them and plundering their kingdoms of riches. that is why the speaker derisively says "you reek of purity"==ie hypocritical claims to holiness.
Really underestimated band, the pinnacle of Psychedelic Rock, IMHO.
Some comments say that in the lyrics the phrase toward the end of the song 'there is no, only all' is actually 'there is no aureole'. It makes sense since the person looking at the dead conquistador makes a reference to 'reeks of purity'...'like some Angel's Haloed brow'. But unlike a real Angel's Haloed brow, there is no halo for the dead conquistador, no aureole.
Early doors rock sounding as good 2day as it was then , infact the reality is we might not have known it so much back then 🤔Reason being there was so much great music back then you could be excused 4 missing or 4getting how good it was 🤓Even now when utube gives us these timely reminders it's a sort of kick up ya arse that makes you realise how good the music of life was in those days ! Thanx procol harem
This is such a good jam man,,,
"no aureole" :- halo , no glow around the body...dead.
Procol Harum belongs in The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.Tony
0:57 the hall of fames rests within our hearts and souls . We remember the best of the bests
sounds as if the author is drawing from some literary and and or artistic sources. I was struck by that at the time..
could start a conversation.
I have often wondered that myself. The picture painted by the lyrics of the fallen one is so complete.
@@nothingheremovealong6751 This is such a wonderful song. Musically brilliant and the lyrics are powerful and haunting.
This reminds me so much of the Leningrad Cowboys! More people need to know about this cover.
Brilliance!
Bravo
Was there not a Top of the pops promo video of this featuring a Conquistador and a ghostly deadly lady ? I have a vision of this in my mind as a young boy ! Love to see it again !
Great Classic up there with Badfinger and GFRR songs
one of my faves
The ultimate stand alone classic rock song(along with Layla, Born To Run, Aqualung,Free Bird, and only a few others)...
Richard Taylor Fuck Free Bird. It’s time for that song to die.
@@RootBeerGMT I'm ready for born to run to go away, I never liked it.
What about _All Along The Watchtower_ and _Fortunate Son?_
Don't forget Low Spark
& Robin Trower 'Bridge of Sighs'
cool song
These lyrics aren’t perfect. The correct line:
“And as the gloom begins to fall,
I see there is no aureole.”
An ‘aureole’ is akin to a ‘halo’. This makes much more sense than what they show here: “And as the gloom begins to fall, I see there is no, only all.”
🎯
Great tune! Is it not 'mace', rather than 'maze'?
Mace would be a weapon a maze is like a puzzle ,you know a hedge row you have seen the movie the shining.
This song is about historical futility.
Is it? I was hoping to read some posts that might fill me in on its meaning.
@@spyralstarecase9366 a dead conquistador is lying in the sand at a beach after a battle--he is observed by one of the survivors who sees him. The survivor notes the elaborate armor and shield, horse and sword and remembers the Conquistadors coming and telling their people that they were holy warriors(you reek of purity). The survivor muses that he came to make fun of the dead man but realizes it is futile because the man came to conquer but he only died. The survivor then leaves.
Some mistakes lyrics here
Aureole (Aureola?) works best. The gloom is falling, so if there was an Aureole it would show in the dark. But there isn't, so it doesn't. These guys knew how to write intelligent lyrics.
Does anyone know what particular version this of the song? The Spotify version sounds completely different but it's still Procol Harum
This version became a hit in 1972, taken from a live concert. The original, released in 1967, was a studio version. The original didn't make the charts in the USA but did in the UK.
I love this version more. There was only one rehearsal where the band could play with the orchestra (cause of equipment delays). But man, they REALLY NAILED IT.
Thank you both very much! This version is for sure my preferred edition lol. Reminds me of a trip I took with my family on a greyhound where I listened to this on repeat on my gameboy when I was a kid. Great stuff
It's amazing what they will do for black kids
i have loved this song since I was about nine for the music and the only lyric my childish attention span heard was stallion cos I loved horses.I wish I could understand the meaning of these poetic lyrics/ They have to be deep.Yes I agree with historic futility but why leave with respect? Maybe because as in most cases it is a young ,inexperienced man fighting and dying for some power /In this case, Isuspect it could be the Roman Catholic church??
Well, if someone only wearing a death mask reeks of purity and you came to jeer at him, you might leave with a sense of regret.
@@claudiodominguez. "Reek" is a word used as a pejorative; to reek of something means you're emanating a strong, unpleasant smell, "to be strongly pervaded with something unpleasant or offensive." JMO, the writer is saying that Conquistador's "purity" is a facade covering the rottenness inside. @Rick Harvey I think the song could be applied to any "conqueror." Genesis explores this theme in about 3 of their early songs (The Conqueror, Genesis to Revelation; Knife, Trespass; One For the Vine, Wind & Wuthering; also partly in Supper's Ready, Foxtrot.)
@@indy_go_blue6048 I agree that this song is anti Conquistador, in all walks of life you will find good and bad. Anything evil would perceive a powerful aura of Christianity as "reeking". Using the word "reek" doesn't apply to the nature of the emitting source, it applies to the perception of the offended. So a demon will perceive a powerful Christian aura as "reeking" because it's d offended by it's goodness. "And like an angels haloed brow You reek of purity" This is verbatim and obvious that the entity is offended by an "angelic haloed brow". My first comment is about the sense of regret, the one offended was regretful because even though the essence of life has long moved on, the powerful aura of Christianity was still present. The offended probably wondered if in death this powerful, what amazing aura in life. One can only conclude that this Conquistador is one of the Good.
@@claudiodominguez. The beauty of art (music, literature, art) is the ability of the individual to interpret it according to his own light and understanding. While I don't see the "conquistador" as anything good, I appreciate your comment very much.
@@indy_go_blue6048 I reciprocate your appreciation of our different points of view and the respect to eachother. I could further try and prove my point using the lyrics verbatim as factual evidence. But we can just agree to disagree and be happy to have had a civil dialogue. Merry Christmas and Happy new year !
Robin Trower solo !
This version 1971, released in 1972 is with Dave Ball on guitar, Robin Trower played on the original lackluster 1967 studio version. Robin Trower also wasn't on Procol Harum's other hit "A Whiter Shade of Pale".
@@jsava100 IMHO Robin Trower is on a upper level.
Waite a minute in another video with translation was different this video
I mean alotta words were different which nearly changed the whole song narrative for so why and which one has the Wright lyrics?
these are
Hi good morning to
Youze
🙂
Incredible how many of these words I got so wrong for so long.
am I crazy but the rythm of this song makes me think of some parts of "The Phantom of the Opera?" Obviously this band was around first so wondering if the Phantom based some music on inspiration from these guys?
That would be a great question to ask Andrew Lloyd Webber.
@@samueladams4218 If only I could figure out how to get ahold of him.
Por más que obtengas nada te llevarás 😢
Is that Robin Trower on lead guitar?
Dave Ball.
How can a conqueror "reek of purity"? These were terrible, violent men who brought much death, destruction, theft and cultural annihilation.
You mean to the people that practiced human sacrifices and cannibalism. The Conquistadors didn't take it very well when the tribe's king would proudly show the altar were little children were sacrificed. One Conquistador wrote of the horrid, pungent smell of blood at the altar. It's so easy to condemn the Conquistadors when modern day history leaves out cannibalism and child sacrifices by the natives. These natives weren't a peaceful society, they fought constantly against neighboring tribes and ate them. The Conquistadors were not all good nor were they all bad but cannibalism and human sacrifices was beyond their comprehension.
@@claudiodominguez. thank you. Truth over idealism.
@@claudiodominguez. Thanks for a little truth among the lies.
It's as perceived. Doesn't mean it's true. You are looking at it from a tilted view. When one does this, you distort many things in life.
Those 12 dislikes don’t remember the good days or were not there LSD pot in the air jimi on stage on his “all along the watchtower” bass solo
Pardon my ignorance, but what's this song really about?
2010UncleFester where is the sync wrong?
The printed lyrics lag behind the actual words.
It's aureole not only all
how do we unwind a MAZE? i always thought it was 'i can see no PLACE to unwind' all the way through. and i always thought it was 'came to conquer ..only divide ;P. well hey that's not as bad as 'i got a black magic woman and she's tryin to take a pebble out of me'
EDIT i dont like it when people try to make a song political but i was just sitting here thinking about how much inertia and angst there seems to be all around in the 21st century.. and this old song just POPPED! into my head, i looked it up on old faithful youTube and listened for the first time in years.. it fits MUCH MORE with the 21st than with the 20th century (even the war eras). Anyway kinda reminds me of Q & tRUMP loyalist Gen. Flynn. but it is tRUMP who makes me feel the inertia and angst expressed in this song so very very well.
Why put the lyrics one line at a time, and on top of that not even sync them properly? Some of the phrases are half-done by the time the lyrics show on the screen.
+joseph ortiz I put the lyrics on one at a time because I think it looks nicer that way. Where are the lyrics wrong? "And though I came to jeer at you" at 2:45? I just watched the whole video and that was the only thing off and it's only late by like half a second. Maybe your internet connection is bad.
+lyrics4me you did an awesome job.
+Earl Kayoss Thanks.
+lyrics4me I agree. Great job. Great video, great music, great band. Don't worry about it.
@@lyrics4me54 "Only all" is incorrect. The line is "aureole", a circle of light or brightness surrounding something, especially as depicted in art around the head or body of a person represented as holy.
It’s testament to the appalling taste of the public that Procol Harum are best remembered for garbage like Whiter Shade of Pale when they’re capable of turning out gems like this. Joint goes your way!
lyrics are too slow at coming on