Album: Year Of The Cat (1976)

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• With your photographs of Kitty Hawk
  And the biplanes on your wall
  You were always Amy Johnson
  From the time that you were small
  No schoolroom kept you grounded
  While your thoughts could get away
  You were taking off in Tiger Moths
  Your wings against the brush-strokes of the day
  Are you there?
  On the tarmac with the winter in your hair
  By the empty hangar doors, you stop and stare
  Leave the oil-drums behind you, they won't care
  Oh, are you there?
  
  Oh, you wrapped me up in a leather coat
  And you took me for a ride
  We were drifting with the tail-wind
  When the runway came in sight
  The clouds came up to gather us
  And the cockpit turned to white
  When I looked, the sky was empty
  I suppose you never saw the landing-lights
  Are you there?
  In your jacket with the grease stain and the tear
  Caught up in the slipstream of the dare
  The compass rose will guide you anywhere
  Oh, are you there?
  
  The sun comes up on Icarus as the night-birds sail away
  Lights the maps and diagrams that Leonardo made
  You can see Faith, Hope and Charity
  As they bank above the fields
  You can join the flying circus
  You can touch the morning air against your wheels
  Are you there?
  Do you have a thought for me that you can share?
  Oh, I never thought you'd take me unawares
  Just call me if you ever need repairs
  Oh, are you there? Writer/s: Alistair Ian Stewart
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 10

• Anna Bates from New YorkRegarding the song's meaning, why not accept Stewart's explanation that it's an extended metaphor, as were Hotel California and many other beautiful pop songs? Clearly, several people are referenced in the lyrics, including Stewart's father and Amy Johnson. That does not mean the song was about them or anyone else in particular. The imagery in the song is just beautiful, and for me, efforts to shove the song into a box labeled "tribute" does not work. All of those explanations leave loose ends. Enjoy the song's beauty and its suggestion of heartbreaking, irretrievable loss.
• Paul from BredwardineWhen this was released it was my favorite song on an album that felt a bit too light for me after the previous three, but now I think it’s one of his best lyrics as it combines everything special about his poetry in one song, history and love, and aeroplanes.
  
  I know he says it’s a metaphor, but there are a couple of things that feel specific, the pictures on the wall coupled with “brushstrokes of the day” leads me to think this was triggered by a memory as does the image of the woman in the flying jacket with the tear. The reference to oil drums is brilliant as anyone who has flown light aircraft will have had their sense of smell ruffled by that line.
  
  The older I get the more I enjoy this as it triggers my own similar memories. The girl in the leather jacket and the ride of a lifetime.
  
  Yes, also one of Tim Renwicks most inspired contributions, up with Larry Cartons exquisite solos on Steely Dans albums.
• AnonymousThere are still on this earth many women as Amy johnson who would live to fly free and live their dreams and aspirations, but are being tied down by mediocre men who make them nothing but slaves. Carmen vega florida
• Serena Luna from ArgentinaI'm afraid the lyrics of "Flying Sorcery" are a tribute to Al Stewart's father who died in a plane crash and, obviously, was a fan of flying. The song addresses him and Al imagines this conversation, what he may be doing "up somewhere in heaven", that he was caught unawares to learn he had died so soon.
  Anyway, i enjoy all interpretations (epecially the ones who highlight poioneering women). i think all interpretations are a tribute to Al's talent. Cheers!
• Sim from Cleveland RocksGreat song , great musicians
• Paul from Sonztwin@yahoo.comI appreciate the information that Alexander Baron provided, featured as the main entry for this song, but to look at the song as being literally about flying is, well, mistaken. it references Amy Johnson (and others), but was not "inspired by" her (semantics?). Instead, it's the metaphoric meaning of flying we're talking about here (think Erica Jong "Fear of Flying"). It is about a surprise tryst between two lovers, likely initiated by a daring woman. That second stanza is a lovely, coy, reference to coital bliss - Al is a wonderful poet and historian. Thank you, Bill from Liverpool, for that additional note on Faith Hope and Charity. And for Robert and others who loved the guitar work (since I failed to mention his name before), it's courtesy of Tim Renwick, an immensely talented guitarist also known for his membership with Sutherland Brothers and Quiver, as well as his session work with the likes of Pink Floyd. If you didn't know the story of Amy Johnson, do read it in Wikipedia. Peace.
• Robert from OntarioIn one of the live shows on YouTube, Stewart says that this song is about a relationship where the two partners were going in different directions. Looked at in that light, the song is an excellent metaphor (allegory?). The first verse is the initial fascination with a new partners independence. The second verse describes the start of the relationship, then rapidly describes the end of the relationship (When I looked the sky was empty).
  I agree with Paul - the guitar solo is absolutely sublime, evoking both the joy of a relationship and a biplane flight on a sunny day.
  In the last verse, "The sun comes up on Icarus" which refers to the Greek myth, where Icarus flies too close to the sun and falls back to earth. Finally Stewart bids his love goodbye, telling her she can "Join the flying circus".
  I don't think I will ever tire of listening to this song.
• Josh from Dublin, IrelandThere is also a song on A Beach Full Of Shells called Immelmann Turn - a sequel ?
• Paul from Longwood, FlI've always thought that the guitar solo in the middle of the song is one of the most melodically beautiful in the history of music, made possible by the magnificent chord changes. I love this song.
• Bill from Liverpool, --'Faith, Hope & Charity' in the lyrics refers to 3 old Gloster Gladiator biplanes that were used to defend Malta from air attack in WW II. They were much older and slower than the planes they faced but heroically defended the island from air attacks.
  
  http://www.killifish.f9.co.uk/Malta%20WWII/Faith%20Hope%20&%20Charity.htm

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