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Strawbs — Lay Down
Album: Bursting At The Seams
Avg rating:
6

Your rating:
Total ratings: 625









Released: 1973
Length: 4:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

By still waters I lay down with the lambs
In pastures green I made peace with my soul
And I cared not for the night
While my guiding star shone bright
By still waters I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

At the roadside I took toll of my times
From dirty streets I gained peace for my soul
May the merciful be right
Are you ready for the night
At the roadside I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

In deep sorrow I took flight with the sun
From mountains high I gained strength for my soul
I proved stronger than the test
When my spirit came to rest
In deep sorrow I lay down
I lay down.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.

Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.
Comments (164)add comment
Bill, the end of this song would transition perfectly into The Flaming
Lips, Are You A Hypnotist?. I'm probably late to the game & you've
already done it. Those last notes there just triggered the connection
to me.


Every time I think I couldn't love RP more,  Bill and Rebecca play another fabulous gem from my youth that I just NEVER hear anywhere else.  Love this song and love RP!!!
Oh my.   A FM  radio classic.   Ya had to be there to appreciate it. 

But still can't understand what language this is....ha!
I thought I heard Doug and The Slugs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-JhtQYaKOM
 LemonLady wrote:

Probably my all time favorite band.  Wish RP would get the album "Hero and Heroine". The albums From the Witchwood, Grave New World, Bursting at the Seams, Hero and Heroine, Ghosts, and Nomadness (last is less prog) are a fantastic group of sequential albums!  This is the band that gave Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) and Rick Wakeman their starts.  Not pop radio play although had a minor hit with State of the Union, which is not terribly representative.  Definitely one of the most underrated progressive rock bands in the universe.

'The Hangman and the Papist' from 'Witchwood' never fails to send chills down my spine. The title track 'New World' from Grave New World is similarly creepy. This pop track does not do them justice on this erudite forum!

 pktinkler2984 wrote:

Wasn't Rick Wakeman recruited from The Strawbs by Yes?



Yes.
I think my mates and I could manage a pretty decent version of this...pretty straight forward stuff here...at least I wouldn't have to worry about messing up the lyrics, with the expectations that its all supposed to sound like gibberish, takes a ton of pressure off...
Stopped to look at the RP tab because I thought I heard the Strawbs. It's been many years since I heard this.  
Mike_lise - back at Cha!!! CHOM was the gold standard. Today only The Current in Minneapolis comes close to the breadth of playlist Great to hear this again after many decades
Remember I am a Union Man back in the early Seventies. A classic!
Although being aged about 10 at the time didn't really the full connotations of the lyrics!
I loved the Strawbs when I was in high school.  This takes me waaaay back.  I played the album Hero and Heroine incessantly.  Thanks for the memories!
Wasn't Rick Wakeman recruited from The Strawbs by Yes?
Even tho I owned the album, and played it to death, I never understood the lyrics.
Yah, yah,yah

I lay down!

Now I can read them.  It doesn't help.

Still, I give it an 8.

Part of the Union would garner a 9.
I was lucky enough to grow up in Montreal where our local FM station CHOM FM played all the prog greats, many long before they were known in North America
Hearing The Strawbs brings back great memories!
Decades ago, I heard Strawbs on a local FM prog station that often played stuff you never heard before. (Miss that damn station...) If not for my own audio system, the only place I'd ever hear them again is here on RP. Jeez, Bill, I'm not sure if I'm acquainted with any music that you've never heard of, too. Love the eclecticism!
 Proclivities wrote:

Something about lying down, but with some incorrect grammatical usage.
 

That broke the soulful moment.
 bam23 wrote:
Among the myriad songs with obscure to unintelligible lyrics, this still ranks at the top. What the hell is this about? I could cheat and look up the words, but where's the fun in that?

 
Something about lying down, but with some incorrect grammatical usage.
Nice to be reminded of The Strawbs.  

Use to hear them on WQBK-FM back in the 70s.  Great little progressive radio station that you could drive out to visit in the country outside Albany, NY and hang out with the DJs and Program Director.
Among the myriad songs with obscure to unintelligible lyrics, this still ranks at the top. What the hell is this about? I could cheat and look up the words, but where's the fun in that?
That choir noise at the end... Did Flaming Lips sample that for the opening of Are You a Hypnotist?

May make for a good follow-up, just sayin'.
 LemonLady wrote:
Probably my all time favorite band.  Wish RP would get the album "Hero and Heroine". The albums From the Witchwood, Grave New World, Bursting at the Seams, Hero and Heroine, Ghosts, and Nomadness (last is less prog) are a fantastic group of sequential albums!  This is the band that gave Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) and Rick Wakeman their starts.  Not pop radio play although had a minor hit with State of the Union, which is not terribly representative.  Definitely one of the most underrated progressive rock bands in the universe.

 

I love the fact that just about every band out there seems to have someone who considers them to be their "All Time favorite"... I am not enjoying this track at all, but that's not to say that someone else shouldn't.
A good ole one and a guilty pleasure. 


Just shows ya that the 1970s had a bzillion genres; including this one.

Variety is the spice of life.
  
Probably my all time favorite band.  Wish RP would get the album "Hero and Heroine". The albums From the Witchwood, Grave New World, Bursting at the Seams, Hero and Heroine, Ghosts, and Nomadness (last is less prog) are a fantastic group of sequential albums!  This is the band that gave Sandy Denny (Fairport Convention) and Rick Wakeman their starts.  Not pop radio play although had a minor hit with State of the Union, which is not terribly representative.  Definitely one of the most underrated progressive rock bands in the universe.
Love the way you work.  My compliments, RP.
I don't know about you all, but I am feeling mightily hungry right 'bout now. {#Arrowd}  {#Hungry}
 LizK wrote:

"Nor custom stale
her infinite variety"

from memory. from Shakespeare.  If not absolutely correct, my regrets.

Bob on, as Bill used to say. . . 

Maecenas: 
Now Antony
Must leave her utterly.

Enobarbus:
Never, he will not:
Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale
Her infinite variety. Other women cloy
The appetites they feed, but she makes hungry
Where most she satisfies. . . .

Antony And Cleopatra Act 2, scene 2, 232–237
 ClaireWild wrote:
We saw The Strawbs play live a couple of years ago in Devon.  They were bloody FANTASTIC!  What a band; they were brilliant, great entertainers and the quality of the music was just 100%.  Age hath not dimmed them; or something!
 
"Nor custom stale
her infinite variety"

from memory. from Shakespeare.  If not absolutely correct, my regrets.
 rpmusic4gayle wrote:
Totally digging this. Can't believe it's from 1973.
 



Wait a sec - my iPhone is delayed and it was the previous song I was digging! This totally sounds like 1973 - and now I understand the Cat Stevens reference. :-)
Totally digging this. Can't believe it's from 1973.
Oh crap, from the other room this sounded like Cat Stevens...
 jadewahoo wrote:
For the hardly of herring:

By still waters I lay down with the lambs
In pastures green I made peace with my soul
And I cared not for the night ...

also for the hardy of herring:

Roll Mop Herrings
One of the first bands I ever saw... with Rick Wakeman before he joined Yes... so that does date me!

Much overlooked band of the early 70''s - 'From the Witchwood' being too good for words... 'Hangman and the Papist' still chills.
 
OMG!  You are playing The Strawbs!!! Awesome.
Reminds me of The Byrds. I like The Byrds. I like this tune.
 handyrae wrote:
Is he singing in English?
 
Yes.

Unfortunately.
Ah, yes.  Great stuff.
Bozo,I totally agree ! {#Arrowd}

edit : and westslope....{#Lol}

This album followed by Hero and Heroine followed by Ghosts is a triumvirate of the most equsite.  They never got the credit they deserved. Saw them at Indiana University of Pa in 1973 with Dave Mason:  great show!!!


 jmsmy wrote:
I always loved this song - but really what language is that.
 
And you are posting from Texas?  Ironies never cease.

Wonderful song - thank you Bill!

 More_Cowbell wrote:
I prefer Raspberries
  As in "Bronx"?      Razz



this is mine......"hello"......this is mine ....Big daddy of the rhythmn{#Taped-shut} this is my "beloved" song

For the hardly of herring:

By still waters I lay down with the lambs
In pastures green I made peace with my soul
And I cared not for the night
While my guiding star shone bright
By still waters I lay down
I lay down. Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul. At the roadside I took toll of my times
In dirty streets I found peace for my soul
May the merciful be right
Are you ready for the night
At the roadside I lay down
I lay down. Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul. In deep sorrow I took flight with the sun
From mountains high I gained strength for my soul
I proved stronger than the test
When my spirit came to rest
In deep sorrow I lay down
I lay down. Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
Lay down, I lay me down
For my soul.
I always loved this song - but really what language is that.


WHAT??

 
jools wrote:
They are singing in "Finglish" - Folk Song English - you have to have one hand over you ear and have your eyes closed.
 


We saw The Strawbs play live a couple of years ago in Devon.  They were bloody FANTASTIC!  What a band; they were brilliant, great entertainers and the quality of the music was just 100%.  Age hath not dimmed them; or something!
Cool! I also like "Grave New World" by these guys.
 cayenne wrote:
My husband just asked me who this was and when I told him "the Strawbs" he exclaimed, "those are rolling papers!"
 

LOL!  That was the period.

 

I seem to recall it was one of those dope-dealing friends in college residence ('the zoo') with a great sound system that turned me on to the Strawbs.


 arserocket wrote:
Just managed to get out of my sick bed and struggled to the puter and posted an eight, then collapsed
 
Good effort! I'm giving an extra point for nostalgia. 9
My husband just asked me who this was and when I told him "the Strawbs" he exclaimed, "those are rolling papers!"
Just managed to get out of my sick bed and struggled to the puter and posted an eight, then collapsed
Beyond wonderful to hear Dave Cousins' voice here on RP. The Strawbs are on tour in this region, I believe...

Thanks, Bill! 
They are singing in "Finglish" - Folk Song English - you have to have one hand over you ear and have your eyes closed.
 handyrae wrote:
Is he singing in English?
 
Nope,is Zwedizh withz englizh aczents.{#Smile}
 Deadwing wrote:
I like their song Heavy Disguise   {#Guitarist} 
 
Me too!  That was the first thing I ever heard by them, and I recorded it on that ancient Webcor reel-to-reel that my dad gave me when I was still in school. "Fools must pretend to be wise with a faith that they use as a heavy disguise..."{#Sunny}
sweet jane guitar!
This song got me to abandon my studies and toddle down stairs to see what it was.  That's not too bad a reaction, eh?
Anyway, I'd never heard it - though I had heard of the Strawbs - just barely...
It didn't sound like something from the '70's, except maybe some of Fairport Convention from that time.  Of course, FC didn't sound like the '70's either.
I wouldn't mind hearing this again.

 handyrae wrote:
Is he singing in English?
 

It is impossible to tell.
Saw them do this live when I was in college. Great concert..
 handyrae wrote:
Is he singing in English?
 
Kinda sounds like Cartman from South Park.  Which, I have to admit, amuses the hell out of me.

{#Cowboy}
Is he singing in English?
Like it,Like it,Like it {#Cheesygrin}
I liked "Hero and Heroine" back in the day.  Haven't dug it out in some time.  Perhaps some things sounded better in their original time.
 Hungerdunger wrote:
Usually I think of Bill as someone who unlocks hidden gems which I would never have discovered on my own.

But in this case he has lifted the lid on a rotting old coffin which should have been allowed to rest in peace.
 
That made me laugh!
I fondly remember "Down By The Sea" as a strong and evocative track. Mid-70's prog rock in a secret suburban basement love nest. "Lay Down" might've been a more aptly named track, though.

The Strawbs - "Lay Down" Live (1972)

"i am only 45, so never got to hear them in there hay day, but i got into them through my older brother & older ex husband, we went to see them in the 80's in Beverly, they were awsum!!! This track is very spiritual, if you listen to the words, and also a track called "stormy down", which obviously relates to an event of getting stoned & talking to god, briliant track....memories!!!!!"

my comment:
"this does not mean nothing, but this band, in particular this subject, remembers me happy days in the past, ty Strawbs."   

** 8 **


Rick Wakeman and Strawbs - Live (1969)

"I gotta admit Im a Wakeman fan, more than Strawbs, but thanks for posting. I've heard him play with them on record, but neer seen any footage till now."

 More_Cowbell wrote:
I prefer Raspberries
 
Strawbs on RP but no Raspberries! The Raspberries were a great early 70s band. Let's add some Raspberries to the mix and create a nice fruit salad. {#Roflol} 
I prefer Raspberries
SOunds like Graham Parker. And that's a good thing.
 sirdroseph wrote:
Song comments are individuals opinion of a particular song; they are not windows into a persons soul or character!
 
Which says a lot about you.
 
Usually I think of Bill as someone who unlocks hidden gems which I would never have discovered on my own.

But in this case he has lifted the lid on a rotting old coffin which should have been allowed to rest in peace.
 alanthecowboy wrote:

One of my favorite songs ever, actually.  Comments are just comments, really, and say more about the commenter than the song.

 

I could not disagree more, that line is such an overused cliche'! Song comments are individuals opinion of a particular song; they are not windows into a persons soul or character! Some of you people read far too much into simple opinions! Sheesh!{#Rolleyes}
 Rafter101 wrote:
It's kind of funny when you're at work, listing to RP, and a song comes on that, over time, SUCKS.  This one has no excuse to be on tape.

 

Tut Tut ... may I suggest you get some ear muffs when RP is on, that way you wont become annoyed at some really decent music.
It's kind of funny when you're at work, listing to RP, and a song comes on that, over time, SUCKS.  This one has no excuse to be on tape.

Interesting; singer sounds a bit like Cat Stevens. Oh, BTW, this song sucks ass!!{#Puke}
mute rules
I like their song Heavy Disguise   {#Guitarist} 
Bought a Strawbs album (cassette tape) when I was 15. I recall these lyrics to this day: (from Out in the Cold)

     I sucked on your breasts, your legs opened wide
     I could scarcely believe all the pleasures inside

I was sold then. Sounds a little dated now.
 Antochius wrote:
....
That being said I doubt I'll be running out to buy any Strawbs albums.
 

I doubt you'd be able to find any.  I was the only hippie I knew who had these.  Truth is, I bought them to impress chicks with my sensitivity.

I used to love these guys when I was a "hippy"
My favorite album was Grave New World but the only song I can remember is Benedictus.
That being said I doubt I'll be running out to buy any Strawbs albums.
I was expecting to hear "There must be some way out of here" as the opening line based on the first few chords.
 maxmox wrote:
Celtic/rock/rage/strum/beer/rage/more beer/end

Hilarious!   But to tell the truth, I thought your description matched insecure Aussie males out for a weekend night.



Love it!
 osbyec wrote:
I saw the 1974 lineup of the Strawbs last summer and it was mind-blowingly fantastic.  Judging by the comments, this particular song wasn't... I was out of the room and missed it.
 
One of my favorite songs ever, actually.  Comments are just comments, really, and say more about the commenter than the song.

Hey, all you bashers.... Leave the 70's alone !
Oh dear I seem to like it a bit - reminds me of Fairport Convention who I love!
I saw the 1974 lineup of the Strawbs last summer and it was mind-blowingly fantastic.  Judging by the comments, this particular song wasn't... I was out of the room and missed it.
{#Puke}
 skdenfeld wrote:
Oh. This is quite icky. If you say this was a 'You-had-to-be-there' song, I'm glad I wasn't.
 

I started out with a "Cool...I remember this one", since I was there, but upon hearing it again, I realized the singing is a trainwreck and the guitar solo is indeed pretty lame.

 plaid wrote:
Not sure which is worse, the vocals, or the high-school guitar.

No, the voice. Definitely the voice. Oh god.
 
Not sure how you made the distinction as to which was worse.    They're both excruciating.     If I ever hear this song again I'll have to hack my ears off.
 
Not sure which is worse, the vocals, or the high-school guitar.

No, the voice. Definitely the voice. Oh god.
Wouldn't the last note of this song run vwey well into The Flaming Lips "Are You A Hypnotist?"
 Hannio wrote:


There's a guitar?  I can't get past that horrid blah-blabbity-blah.
 
Lol! I was zooming along in my work until the *incessant* blah-blabbity-blahs started, and pulled me out of my zone. I was compelled to snipe, "What the hell?! Are you serious?!" and come here to find like-minded souls. Thanks Hannio.


Those were the days .. sunshine-chicks and the other happy gear .. RP rocks {#Bananajam}
sunday morning in the Netherlands - you playin' Strawbs was already amazing and then Madame George; my girlfriend on my lap, silently enjoying the moment. Thanks a lot Bill, we love RP.
I can't understand a word that guy says!
Only on RP! Here's a blast from my past. There's another song that was kinda a hit for these cats... "Juliette"... "In a world that's spinning faster, and getting older is a crime. I believe that once is not enough, I believe in one more time..."
 RedGuitar wrote:
"Hero and Heroine" is one of my fave CDs from this band.

 
I have that one on vinyl.

Excellent. I don't understand the moans about the guitar solo, it's pretty much of it's time, but that's neither good nor bad.
 crazy wrote:
worst guitar lead I've heard in a while
 

There's a guitar?  I can't get past that horrid blah-blabbity-blah.
worst guitar lead I've heard in a while
another reason why bob & rp are so great
"Hero and Heroine" is one of my fave CDs from this band.

The song this band did that made me stop and listen was "The man who called himself Jesus"
Great song...listen carefully to the reporter interviewing someone who came in contact with him(Jesus)in the very beginning...good segue into the song.

Threw back a few with the acoustic incarnation of this band a few years ago in New York.  Fond memories.


Was lucky enough to see them back in the 70"s miss there tunes . Good stuff


Deadwing wrote:
STRAWBS!!!! /faints
Yes, excellent stuff.
The only place I can find these guys any more , they play here couple years ago at a local festival. But not  many east coasters remeber them any more. Saw them couple times  when I was young , enjoyable thanks RP
{#Bounce}Long ago and far away!
{#Puke}

Sweet.

Couple of dope dealing buds were into the Strawbs in 1st year university residence.  Man, they had great sound systems! {#Cowboy}

 




Methinks this would transition nicely into "Are You A Hypnotist?" by the Flaming Lips.
STRAWBS!!!! /faints
The Strawbs! Wonderful! Edit: Yes play Hero and Heroine.
These guys had several truly great records in the '70's. This song is after the lead singer lost his voice-- it used to be much better. Hero and Heroine was a record I played over and over back then, and it really expanded my musical mind with a different bent of folk rock-- perhaps it was a big influence on Richard Thompson's later style. The lyrics were a bit of a revelation to my young teen mind, all about some frank realistic discussions of sex and break ups and such I'd never known before in the midst of really awesome harmonies and mellotron/synth symphonic progressive folk rock.
sadsack wrote:
First Band I ever saw. Town Hall in Tunbridge Wells. Mid 70s. Smoked Sobranie Cocktails and wore blue corduroy. The Duke of Deliciousness.
Late sixties in a community hall off Portobello Road. Hairy & folky (all of us) They were pretty bad (But there was a lot of competition in those days) So I ignored 'em for 40 years. Narrow minded eh wot?