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Post by finfanman on Jul 13, 2011 22:53:42 GMT
Could someone explain what the "clasp" is from the Broadsword and the Beast?
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Post by nonrabbit on Jul 14, 2011 8:10:08 GMT
Hi Finfanman and Welcome to the Forum My interpretation of "clasp" in The Clasp is the literal meaning of a grip or grasp or coming together maybe even an embrace shown (or not) in different forms in each verse and overall a nod to the Viking significance of the ornate bronze clasp worn on the shoulder which probably was an ornament of distinction amongst Viking hierarchy .
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Post by oksauce on Jul 14, 2011 9:12:41 GMT
I love the clasp, one of my favourite tull tunes. It's partly about the relationships between people and how some people don't connect with others, nonrabbit's point about the Viking ornament is probably right to an extent as well
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Post by bunkerfan on Jul 14, 2011 9:29:43 GMT
Hello finfanman thank you for joining the forum. Here's the lyrics to 'The Clasp' I certainly get a viking feel about it especially in the first verse. Then there's the mention of the odd traffic jam, and in verse 3 we go to a lonely road and relax and take stock. The last verse appears some folks shake hands and don't really mean it We travellers on the endless wastes in single orbits, gliding cold-eyed march towards the dawn behind hard-weather hoods a-hiding. Meeting as the tall ships do, passing in the channel afraid to chance a gentle touch --- afraid to make the clasp. In high-rise city canyons dwells the discontent of ages. On ring roads, nose to bumper crawl commuters in their cages. Cryptic signals flash across from pilots in the fast lane. Double-locked and belted in --- too late to make the clasp. Let's break the journey now on some lonely road. Sit down as strangers will, let the stress unload. Talk in confidential terms, share a dark unspoken fear. Refill the cup and drink it up. Say goodnight and wish good luck. Synthetic chiefs with frozen smiles holding unsteady courses. Grip the reins of history, high on their battle horses. And meeting as good statesmen do before the T.V. eyes of millions, hand to hand exchange the lie --- pretend to make the clasp.
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Post by tullpress on Jul 14, 2011 9:29:56 GMT
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Post by nonrabbit on Jul 14, 2011 10:27:08 GMT
The Clasp is one of my all time favourites as well right from the intro which sounds like the slow majestic voyage of a Viking Longship - love it love it i56.images obliterated by tinypic/1623zm8.jpg[/IMG] and while on the subject no prizes for guessing what this name is in Runic i51.images obliterated by tinypic/dxfngg.jpg[/IMG]
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Post by maddogfagin on Jul 14, 2011 18:22:18 GMT
Welcome tp The Jethro Tull Forum Finfanman - good to have you here. The Clasp is one of my favourites from The Broadsword album and the Viking element as mentioned by nonrabbit is consistent with IA's heritage. Cheers MD
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Post by finfanman on Jul 15, 2011 0:07:49 GMT
Thank you all for your insight. It's so nice to be connected to other fans.
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Post by finfanman on Jul 15, 2011 0:11:55 GMT
Tullpress, I have searched for hours looking for Ian's explanation. Thank you so much for the link.
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Post by tullpress on Jul 15, 2011 12:21:33 GMT
No probs -- there's a similar press release from 1980 with IA's brief summaries on the 'A' songs, here (towards the bottom of the page): www.tullpress.com/biog80.htmA
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hipflaskandy
Journeyman
OK - this was a while back!
Posts: 223
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Post by hipflaskandy on Jul 15, 2011 17:45:37 GMT
Thanks for the links - lookin' forrad to a good read. Love reading what lies behind the material - ta muchly!
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