Door
Beyond the Door: Unveiling the Astral Tapestry of Van der Graaf Generator's 'Door'
Lyrics
He's a blind man, crouching by the pavement
Portrays an individual who is visually impaired, situated near the sidewalk.
only seeing with his third eye
Describes the person relying on intuition or spiritual insight rather than physical sight.
and clutching at the astral shadow
Depicts the blind man reaching for the intangible essence or influence of each passer-by.
of every passer-by
Illustrates the attempt to grasp the ethereal impact of others.
He's a wise man, trumping all the answers
Introduces a wise man who confidently asserts solutions or knowledge.
she's a wild girl, trying to keep his feet on the floor
Introduces a wild girl attempting to ground the wise man, possibly through physical rituals.
in whispered physical litanies
Describes secretive, physical recitations advising to avoid a symbolic door.
"Stay away from the door."
Explicitly states the cautionary instruction to stay away from the door.
"Oh, but we're all in this together," he says
Expresses a sense of unity, despite differences, advocating cooperation.
"three-legged race across the floor
Uses the metaphor of a three-legged race, emphasizing shared challenges.
if only you'd loosen the handkerchief
Requests loosening a constraint (handkerchief) to overcome a fixation on the door.
then I'd forget the door."
States the willingness to forget the symbolic door if the constraint is released.
"Ooh, that feels so much better," he says
Expresses relief or satisfaction after a change and urges forgetting past statements.
"now you forget everything that I've said before
Reiterates the plea to forget previous remarks and to be alone while the speaker enters the door.
and sit there all by yourself
Implies isolation or separation for the listener as the speaker walks through the door.
while I walk through the door."
Emphasizes the importance of the symbolic door in the context of identity or self.
They're a blind man, crouching by the pavement,
Repeats the scenario of a blind man near the sidewalk, seeing with the third eye.
only seeing with his third eye
Reiterates the reliance on spiritual perception rather than physical sight.
and clutching at the astral shadow
Repeats the act of trying to grasp the intangible essence of passers-by.
of the door of a room
Introduces the astral shadow of the door, emphasizing its significance.
called 'I'
Concludes by naming the room 'I,' suggesting a connection between the door and self-identity.
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