Because Jethro Tull have never been fashionable, Ian Anderson's lyrics are often overlooked, especially on the later albums when his voice had changed but he was still writing great songs. Songs such as this one, 'Weathercock', 'Flying Dutchman', 'Strange Avenues, and 'At Last, Forever' are poetry in their own right, even without the beautiful music.
Thomas Hardy was very good as a novelist, yet not much of a poet, I'm afraid. When I read Hardy's poems I figured he used his fame to get them published, for the quality of them was worse than poor. So, as far as for poetry, give me Ian Anderson anytime!
When other kids my age were joining the KISS Army and lining up to see Saturday Night Fever, I was listening to Jethro Tull and others like him. Some of the finest music ever made was made in the 70's, it's a shame so few were listening.
Brilliant lyrics; about something real, something other than love, lust or macho posturing...what a refreshing change. If you've ever had a chance to see a big draft horse up close, any breed, their magnificence will take your breath away.
Poignant.....poignant is the only word I have, I despair I can't conjure a better descriptive. The song writing is poetry that stirs my soul, it literally brings tears to my eyes...."And you'll strain again to the sound of the gulls, in the wake of the deep plough, sharing"...give me strength. Tull are so far removed from "musicians" that it humbles me.
When music was allowed to be interesting and meaningful ..... now it's all: "baby baby baby oh" ..... and btw .... Tull was actually before my time, but I appreciate their amazing virtuosity and beautiful songs and productions. Nobody is creating art like this anymore, it's simply not commercial enough!
Absolutely, Jethro Tull personified the eclectic mix of a minstrel playing folk Jazz , rock and blues in what was an amazing sound that was truly MUSIC. Ian Anderson is a genius...and yet you have the likes of Justin Bieber or whatshisname being called a muscian! Alas the days of real music is long gone , though Blackmore's night brings some light.
Ian Anderson is a genius, and his music is the best. I can't know whether there has ever been another composer as good before him, but I am quite certain there will never be another that good after him. The way the world is heading, human kind will be lucky if there will ever be actual music made again :(
"Bring me a wheel of oaken wood A rein of polished leather......" Ian's wistfulness is palpable. It's his ability to convey such emotions so eloquently that sets him apart from most.
Not much music since 1965 contains an expression of Reverence in it. Jethro Tull manages to bring this to their music on a consistent basis. Beautiful.
Masterful, beautiful poetry married to music that manages to combine dark foreboding with defiant hope. Heavy Horses is the only piece of folk rock I know that is both threnody and prophecy. Who but Tull?
Claudia Noriker, yes! I just posted a very similar comment just before scrolling down and finding yours! It is such a pity the world has "progressed" into today's world of heavy machinery.... Ian Anderson knew it so well...
Listened to this song today whilst driving to work. Hadn't heard it in a long time. Still gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes at the thought of the "heavy horses coming home". There's chords in that part of the song that sound almost like a hymn.
Well, all I have to say is, I get to see Tull at the end of the month here in Austin. In 71, forty-six years ago, I got into two groups. A to Z. Anderson to Zappa. Two composers that are very similar but very different. That's all I've needed these past decades. I was surely blessed to be born during this time.
Myself, as well, but nearly a decade later than you. My two musical heroes. Ian was a huge fan of Frank's- reportedly, the only time Ian was drunk on stage was when he'd found out Frank had died- he was extremely upset.
@@jackmioff100 This last show with Ian he put on a skit and showed pictures of everyone that died of Prostate Cancer. He showed nearly 50 music, picture and TV stars. All to music. The last picture was Frank. You should have heard the applause. A nice tribute to Frank and the other 49. But Ian has always been that way.
My brother was talking about this song tonight, I'd never heard it and I jokingly sang "the shire the Clydesdale the Suffolk punch too" he went; they're pretty much the words! Lol, heavy horses are really sweet :)
Lucky me, we saw Tull in concert three times in the 70's. Used to drive along the Saint Lawrence River from Gaspe to Toronto,in our Truimph TR-7. "We" being myself and my French Canadian wife, who was an Air Canada Stewardess.
You see, if you are true artist you can make a masterpiece out of anything. Horses being supressed by tractors... Magnificent! There's no need to use some audiotunes, that in every sentence you have to mention parties, bitches and money... No! I just don't know how to teach today's kids, or even young of my to listen good music. Jethro tull is divine. Simple, artistic and great. I saw a comment down there asking why they aren't in rock'n'roll hall of fame... It's because Jethro Tull is above it.
I had the opportunity to ride the tallest draft breed, the Percheron, on a trail ride. I expected each foot to hit the ground with tooth jarring thud, but he was smooth as silk! And what a vantage point for photography!
English folk rock rules ! This absolute masterpiece makes me think of "Boxer" from Orwell's "Animal Farm" and of the 2 best friends I ever had "Jake" & "Thomas" who had to leave me way too soon.
Jethro Tull is my Go-to group when I'm in a creative mood. The lyrics paint such exquisite pictures on the canvas of my imagination. Great stuff. Thank you so very much, Ian Anderson; Jethro Tull could not possibly be Jethro Tull without you.
I remember the first time that i smoked pot, I took my parents Jethro Tull records out. I don't think there are many bands that could have been as conducive to expanding that moment. I remember feeling like he was telling me something that was much more important on this album than on "Songs From the Woods" or "Tea For the Tillerman".
I don't wish to be pedantic (oh, OK, maybe a bit), but it must have been strong stuff, as it played tricks with your memory; 'Tea For the Tillerman' was a Cat Stevens album, Jethro Tull is a band (Ian Anderson the singer-songwiter), and it is 'Wood' singular (not plural)! Glad you enjoyed it anyway!
"In the days of Aqualung FM radio played what they called deep cuts. You would go into an album and play the obscure, the longer, the more convoluted songs in that period of more developmental rock music. But that day is not really with us anymore." - Ian Anderson
It is of course a very fine song, perhaps close to his best ever. A good idea though to have the lyrics like this, and another excuse to be transported by the genius of jethro Tull.
what a powerful and symbollic piece of music. One day this will become true, people will realise how the past methods are reliable especially when the oil has become dry. Todays life has lost the traditions that made every country great. How we rely on modern methods and technology, pre-packed food and convience foods that are only made from chemicals. When was the last YOU took a drive or a walk in the countryside and look upon natures gifts to us.
My grandfather was a farmer, and a teamster when that meant you ran teams of horses. His love of horses, his seeing the changes, all that is in this song. I always think of him when I hear this.
There was never a band like Jethro Tull BEFORE they stepped on to the musical/pop/rock pantheon........and there has NEVER been a band like them still to this day in June 2011!!
Almost all of Ian's lyrics are poetry set to music. He obviously is a great reader, his articulation is spot on, and has fun playing with juxtaposition of words and meanings...
Wow. I'm a violinist with roots in the Comstock. Mr. Anderson, thank you. Wow. I gotta check out this whole album. I have the vinyl somewhere. "Songs From The Wood" is my favourite :)
David, you made this in celebration of life, as also seen by a great guy & his friends who play music and they knew technology can improve our (millions of lesser peeps) lives by reminders amid a torrent of lyrics amplified amongst ancestral hard wiring within our brains. Good job I say! Till the land! Oak & leather in heavy weather indeed.
amazing song. amazing lyrics, music, composition. what I like the most about Jethro Tull is that all of their songs are so well made in every aspect that it makes it hard to classify them in only a frame. there are so many excellent songs like heavy horses, witch's promise, bungle in the jungle, locomotive breath, living in the past, my god, hunting girl, bouree, thick as a brick... My respect and admiration to Jethro Tull. Love your music!
This songs got the lot, fantastic lyrics, makes you visualize the entire song - (well it does me), time changes and a great tune - got to be their best song in my humble opinion.
I saw them live yesterday (16th july) for the 5th time in my life and I recommend to any who thinks to see them in the upcoming months to go and buy the tickets immediately, because Ian is better than the past years in my humble opinion. I saw them also in 2008 and 2007 to mention the most recent years, but that 2011 gig was the best among the recent ones, so go and see them!
UPDATE: this was the FIRST SONG they played. I missed half of it and snuck in the show for the 2nd half, couldnt believe I was actually hearing Heavy Horses through the doors! I could have died!
Lucky guy! Once I finally got into the show, I was in a section so high, I could almost touch the ceiling of the opera house! Still, glad to be able to see Ian in action even if it was far away
who else could create such beautiful music? Going to see Ian Anderson live tomorrow, imagine if he actually played this....I doubt it but will yell it out to him anyway
I saw him do it a few years ago and he really struggles with singing it now. Suppose it comes to use all sometime or another, still a great artist though.
I love Heavy Horses too. Your name means ham in Magyar, but, you probably already know that. Thank you for making this video and uploading it. I saw Jethro Tull in 1969 in Toronto, I believe. I better check somehow, for I might be mistaken. The horses we had in the tobacco harvests in 1967, 1968, 1969 and 1970, were oversized mighty horses who dragged the loaded tobacco boats to the kilns. Boats were special sleds loaded with fresh tobacco produce. If one never labored like that, you will never know.
I've always loved Tull - but for me this is their best ever song! The lyrics based on a poem called 'The Horses' by the Scotish poet Edwin Muir - I love John's bass playing on this track. Sucj a great band - their class shines through on every album.
i remember seeing the video of this song for the first time. i think (don't quote me on this or I'll deny the whole thing) it was on the 20th anniversary vhs tape. went ape over it. since then the whole album has become my personal favorite tull album
So, after 40 years or so I finally made the connection. You all probably did not take so long. Jethro Tull was actually a Agriculturalist see Wiki en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jethro_Tull_(agriculturist) and he is credited with inventions that led to modern agriculture including the horse drawn seed drill. If you've ever stood next to any of these breeds of horses you can only awe at their "gentle" power.
