sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Groan as you all might, this is the poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge that inspired Xanadu. It's awesome. And then, we can talk about Rush's take on it. Samuel Taylor Coleridge Kubla Kahn OR, A VISION IN A DREAM. A FRAGMENT. In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome secree: Where Alph, the sacred river, ran Through caverns measureless to man Down to a sunless sea. So twice five miles of fertile ground With walls and towers were girdled round: And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills, Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree; And here were forests ancient as the hills, Enfolding sunny spots of greenery. But oh! that deep romantic chasm which slanted Down the green hill athwart a cedarn cover! A savage place! as holy and enchanted As e'er beneath a waning moon was haunted By woman wailing for her demon-lover! And from this chasm, with ceaseless turmoil seething, As if this earth in fast thick pants were breathing, A mighty fountain momently was forced: Amid whose swift half-intermitted burst Huge fragments vaulted like rebounding hail, Or chaffy grain beneath the thresher's flail: And 'mid these dancing rocks at once and ever It flung up momently the sacred river. Five miles meandering with a mazy motion Through wood and dale the sacred river ran, Then reached the caverns measurelss to man, And sank in tumult Kubla heard from far Ancestral voices prophesying war! The shadow of the dome of pleasure Floated midway on the waves; Where was heard the mingled measure From the fountain and the caves. It was a miracle of rare device, A sunny pleasure-dome with caves of ice! A damsel with a dulcimer In a vision once I saw: It was an Abyssinian maid, And on her dulcimer she played, Singing of Mount Abora. Could revive within me Her symphony and song, To such a deep delight 'twould win me, That with music loud and long, I would build that dome in air, That sunny dome! those caves of ice! And all who heard should see them there, And all should cry, Beware! Beware! His flashing eyes, his floating hair! Weave a circle round him thrice, And close your eyes with holy dread, For he on honey-dew hath fed, And drunk the milk of Paradise. That with music loud and long! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 And, here's Xanadu... "To seek the sacred river Alph To walk the caves of ice To break my fast on honey dew And drink the milk of Paradise..." I had heard the whispered tales Of immortality The deepest mystery From an ancient book. I took a clue I scaled the frozen mountain tops Of eastern lands unknown Time and Man alone Searching for the lost - Xanadu Xanadu - To stand within The Pleasure Dome Decreed by Kubla Khan To taste anew the fruits of life The last immortal man To find the sacred river Alph To walk the caves of ice Oh, I will dine on honey dew And drink the milk of Paradise A thousand years have come and gone But time has passed me by Stars stopped in the sky Frozen in an everlasting view Waiting for the world to end Weary of the night Praying for the light Prison of the lost - Xanadu Xanadu - Held within The Pleasure Dome Decreed by Kubla Khan To taste my bitter triumph As a mad immortal man Nevermore shall I return Escape these caves of ice For I have dined on honey dew And drunk the milk of Paradise It's a continuation of the story. A clarification, almost... even. ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushgoober Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Sep 21 2005, 11:37 PM) Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu Yer a pill. I'm being serious, goob. Really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaine mac Roth Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 One of the interesting things I heard about Coleridge and Kubla Khan is that one time, while ill (or stoned - I've heard both), he had an extraordinarily vivid dream. Upon waking, he sat down and started to write Kubla Khan. After a while, there was a knock on the door and a slight aquaintence of Coleridge's was at the door. The man kept him talking for well over one hour on totally trivial matters before Coleridge could get rid of him. This accomplished, Coleridge returned to his writing only to find that he had forgotten the dream. I don't know if it is true, but I have seen it reported in a number of reputable sources. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushgoober Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 21 2005, 08:40 PM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Sep 21 2005, 11:37 PM) Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu Yer a pill. I'm being serious, goob. Really. bad goober! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indica Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Sweet!!! I'm not sure if it's true or not but I heard Neil got a lot of his ideas for lyrics on Grace under pressure from reading the current events in the newspaper. Has anyone else heard this? Anyway, thanks for posting this because I'v never seen it before although it was a trivia question that I missed one time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Sep 21 2005, 11:40 PM) One of the interesting things I heard about Coleridge and Kubla Khan is that one time, while ill (or stoned - I've heard both), he had an extraordinarily vivid dream. Upon waking, he sat down and started to write Kubla Khan. After a while, there was a knock on the door and a slight aquaintence of Coleridge's was at the door. The man kept him talking for well over one hour on totally trivial matters before Coleridge could get rid of him. This accomplished, Coleridge returned to his writing only to find that he had forgotten the dream. I don't know if it is true, but I have seen it reported in a number of reputable sources. Well, obviously, that aquaintance was Neil Pert in a former life, or some other stupid shit. Anyway, my point is that, I love the way the song "Xanadu" really is loyal to the poem. That was my point of posting the two. You are a complete pain in the ass,. Really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Necromancer Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Sep 21 2005, 11:37 PM) Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu if i'm not mistaken this Xanadu was a "heaven" of sorts. Unfortunately i did see the movie and from what i remember, Olivia is a goddess of a realm that is similar to greek mythology but also with large differences. I believe their version of mount olympus is Xanadu. Not exactly the same thing as the Kubla Khan poem. At least I never got it that way. Shows you how much i paid attention in high school. When we studied this poem, all i remember is that i brought in AFTK and had the teacher mimeograph (yeah... mimeograph, i said it... SO???) the lyrics. She handed them out and played it for the class, but she picked up the needle and kept looking for the place where the lyrics began. No long music intro. That sucked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (Necromancer @ Sep 21 2005, 11:48 PM) QUOTE (rushgoober @ Sep 21 2005, 11:37 PM) Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu if i'm not mistaken this Xanadu was a "heaven" of sorts. Unfortunately i did see the movie and from what i remember, Olivia is a goddess of a realm that is similar to greek mythology but also with large differences. I believe their version of mount olympus is Xanadu. Not exactly the same thing as the Kubla Khan poem. At least I never got it that way. Shows you how much i paid attention in high school. When we studied this poem, all i remember is that i brought in AFTK and had the teacher mimeograph (yeah... mimeograph, i said it... SO???) the lyrics. She handed them out and played it for the class, but she picked up the needle and kept looking for the place where the lyrics began. No long music intro. That sucked. Ya know, Necromancer? I am very, very worried about you that you would remember anything about that movie. NOT the Xanadu I was talking about... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test4VitalSigns Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 21 2005, 11:47 PM) QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Sep 21 2005, 11:40 PM) One of the interesting things I heard about Coleridge and Kubla Khan is that one time, while ill (or stoned - I've heard both), he had an extraordinarily vivid dream. Upon waking, he sat down and started to write Kubla Khan. After a while, there was a knock on the door and a slight aquaintence of Coleridge's was at the door. The man kept him talking for well over one hour on totally trivial matters before Coleridge could get rid of him. This accomplished, Coleridge returned to his writing only to find that he had forgotten the dream. I don't know if it is true, but I have seen it reported in a number of reputable sources. Well, obviously, that aquaintance was Neil Pert in a former life, or some other stupid shit. Anyway, my point is that, I love the way the song "Xanadu" really is loyal to the poem. That was my point of posting the two. You are a complete pain in the ass,. Really. Why is slaine a pain in the ass? He was just stating a true fact about how Coleridge wrote this poem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 OK. Back to the song, "Xanadu." I've heard this song so many times. But, the first time I heard "Xanadu" was on Exit... Stage Left. I was SO new to Rush. I was 13-years-old. So young. But, I LOVED music. And, I had just found Rush! I listened to this album, and Xanadu played. I had no idea what hit me when first I heard this. The intro was strange, because I kept waiting, and waiting. There were sounds. Those "bells" and birds twerping and shit. And, after about 30 seconds or so of this nonsense.... guitars faded in... and then drums... and then the rest of this amazing song! Geddy's voice and Neil's lyrics on Xanadu really do make this song amazing. But, at the end, of course... there's Alex. That amazing rolling, freakish, "how in the hell do you do that shit?" guitar. Lyrically, and on the level of musicianship, Xanadu is incredible. Discuss.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (Test4VitalSigns @ Sep 22 2005, 12:09 AM) QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 21 2005, 11:47 PM) QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Sep 21 2005, 11:40 PM) One of the interesting things I heard about Coleridge and Kubla Khan is that one time, while ill (or stoned - I've heard both), he had an extraordinarily vivid dream. Upon waking, he sat down and started to write Kubla Khan. After a while, there was a knock on the door and a slight aquaintence of Coleridge's was at the door. The man kept him talking for well over one hour on totally trivial matters before Coleridge could get rid of him. This accomplished, Coleridge returned to his writing only to find that he had forgotten the dream. I don't know if it is true, but I have seen it reported in a number of reputable sources. Well, obviously, that aquaintance was Neil Pert in a former life, or some other stupid shit. Anyway, my point is that, I love the way the song "Xanadu" really is loyal to the poem. That was my point of posting the two. You are a complete pain in the ass,. Really. Why is slaine a pain in the ass? He was just stating a true fact about how Coleridge wrote this poem Slaine knows I'm kidding. Test, I'm kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Test4VitalSigns Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 22 2005, 12:17 AM) QUOTE (Test4VitalSigns @ Sep 22 2005, 12:09 AM) QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 21 2005, 11:47 PM) QUOTE (Slaine mac Roth @ Sep 21 2005, 11:40 PM) One of the interesting things I heard about Coleridge and Kubla Khan is that one time, while ill (or stoned - I've heard both), he had an extraordinarily vivid dream. Upon waking, he sat down and started to write Kubla Khan. After a while, there was a knock on the door and a slight aquaintence of Coleridge's was at the door. The man kept him talking for well over one hour on totally trivial matters before Coleridge could get rid of him. This accomplished, Coleridge returned to his writing only to find that he had forgotten the dream. I don't know if it is true, but I have seen it reported in a number of reputable sources. Well, obviously, that aquaintance was Neil Pert in a former life, or some other stupid shit. Anyway, my point is that, I love the way the song "Xanadu" really is loyal to the poem. That was my point of posting the two. You are a complete pain in the ass,. Really. Why is slaine a pain in the ass? He was just stating a true fact about how Coleridge wrote this poem Slaine knows I'm kidding. Test, I'm kidding. Sorry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
circumstantial tree Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Regarding the movie "Xanadu", Olivia plays one of the Muses (9 Greek goddesses of arts and were inspiration personified). Muses lived on Mt. Helicon sometimes accompanied by Greek god Apollo. Typically they were worshipped by artists, musicians, and writers. The original "Museum" was a shrine to the Muses. Oh, and I love the movie, despite it's track record of being a cheesy flick. It's one of my favorites. More on the Rush tune later, Sue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncos730 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Sep 21 2005, 11:37 PM) Xanadu (Olivia Newton-John - lyrics by Jeff Lynne) A place where nobody dared to go The love that we came to know They call it Xanadu (It takes your breath and it'll leave you blind) And now, open your eyes and see What we have made is real We are in Xanadu (A dream of it,we offer you) A million lights are dancing And there you are, a shooting star An everlasting world and you're here with me Eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu Xanadu your neon lights will shine For you Xanadu The love, the echoes of long ago You needed the world to know They are in Xanadu (With every breath you drift away) The dream that came through a million years That lived on through all the tears It came to Xanadu (The dream you dream,well it will happen for you) A million lights are dancing and there you are A shooting star, an everlasting world and you're Here with me eternally Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu) Xanadu--Xanadu (now we are here) In Xanadu(Xanadu,Xanadu) Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Now that I'm here, now that you're near in Xanadu Xanadu Thanks for that Rushgoober! I almost spat my lucky charms at the monitor when I scrolled down to yours! Xanadu by Olivia Newton John That song ROCKS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncos730 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 22 2005, 12:16 AM) OK. Back to the song, "Xanadu." I've heard this song so many times. But, the first time I heard "Xanadu" was on Exit... Stage Left. I was SO new to Rush. I was 13-years-old. So young. But, I LOVED music. And, I had just found Rush! I listened to this album, and Xanadu played. I had no idea what hit me when first I heard this. The intro was strange, because I kept waiting, and waiting. There were sounds. Those "bells" and birds twerping and shit. And, after about 30 seconds or so of this nonsense.... guitars faded in... and then drums... and then the rest of this amazing song! Geddy's voice and Neil's lyrics on Xanadu really do make this song amazing. But, at the end, of course... there's Alex. That amazing rolling, freakish, "how in the hell do you do that shit?" guitar. Lyrically, and on the level of musicianship, Xanadu is incredible. Discuss.... Agreed. If I had to be stranded on a desert island with only one Rush song it would be Xanadu. Or Camera eye. Or possibly Hemispheres. No definitely Xanadu. And not the Olivia Newton John version either! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullysue Posted September 22, 2005 Author Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (Broncos730 @ Sep 22 2005, 08:52 AM) not the Olivia Newton John version either! Thank you! Thank you very much. Goober, you are in big trouble for bringing that silly song into this conversation. I have listened to Xanadu a thousand times, and it never, ever fails to freak me out. It's everything a song should be. And, Geddy never sounded as good as he does on Xanadu. IMO, anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanEHdian Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Good topic sullysue Xanadu is my All Time Favorite tune It was the first song I ever heard, and I will Never forget that day. I was 11 years old. My parents were out, so my brother had the tunes Cranked as he usually did when the folks weren't there. What a song to listen to LOUD So many things going on musically, my mind was spinning I think what captivated me the most was that it was like listening to Geddy tell a story. I didn't want the story to end..I had my brother play it 3 more times It was nice that you posted the poem AND the lyrics, I've never read the Kubla Kahn poem before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indica Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (CanEHdian @ Sep 22 2005, 11:14 AM) It was the first song I ever heard, and I will Never forget that day. I was 11 years old. That's a cool first song to hear but how can you go 11 years without hearing any music? That would SUCK!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanEHdian Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (Indica @ Sep 22 2005, 11:18 AM) QUOTE (CanEHdian @ Sep 22 2005, 11:14 AM) It was the first song I ever heard, and I will Never forget that day. I was 11 years old. That's a cool first song to hear but how can you go 11 years without hearing any music? That would SUCK!!! NOOOOO The first tune I had ever heard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indica Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (CanEHdian @ Sep 22 2005, 11:22 AM) QUOTE (Indica @ Sep 22 2005, 11:18 AM) QUOTE (CanEHdian @ Sep 22 2005, 11:14 AM) It was the first song I ever heard, and I will Never forget that day. I was 11 years old. That's a cool first song to hear but how can you go 11 years without hearing any music? That would SUCK!!! NOOOOO The first tune I had ever heard Oh ok, my bad!!! That's a great first Rush song to hear!!! It's on my top 3 list of all time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slaine mac Roth Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broncos730 Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 I used to jam to the "one of these things is not like the other..' song when I was a wee fella. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushgoober Posted September 22, 2005 Share Posted September 22, 2005 QUOTE (sullysue @ Sep 22 2005, 06:06 AM)QUOTE (Broncos730 @ Sep 22 2005, 08:52 AM) not the Olivia Newton John version either! Goober, you are in big trouble for bringing that silly song into this conversation. http://www.clicket.com/partysupplies/images/1DPL2185s.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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