Manfred Mann’s Earth Band The Road to Babylon with Lyrics in Description
Track 4 from their seventh album released in 1976 copyright Warner Bros. Records. It was again recorded at the Workhouse in London. Mick Rogers, a founding member of the band since 1972, decided to leave after “Nightingales and Bombers” was released, although he provided background vocals on this album. He was replaced by Chris Thompson on lead vocals and rhythm guitar and Dave Flett on lead guitar. This was their biggest selling album, propelled by the success of their incredible cover of Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by the Light” which reached No. 1 on the Billboard chart and is a timeless classic from the ‘70’s. The album was a worldwide hit and reached No. 10 in the U.S. and Austria, No. 8 in Australia and No. 6 in Canada and Norway. It achieved Gold status the following year. It received only average reviews at the time. Written by Manfred Mann, Peter Thomas & Colin Pattenden and produced by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Featuring:
Manfred Mann – Hammond B-3 organ, synthesizers & background vocals
Chris Thompson – Lead vocals & rhythm guitars
Dave Flett – Lead & rhythm guitars
Colin Pattenden – Bass
Chris Slade – Drums, percussion & background vocals
Special Guests:
Barbara Thompson – Sax
Doreen Chanter – Background vocals
Irene Chanter – Background vocals
Susanne Lynch – Background vocals
Mick Rogers – Background vocals
David Millman – String arrangements
(By the waters, the waters of Babylon)
(We lay down and wept, and wept for these I am)
(We remember, we remember, we remember these I am)
(By the waters, the waters of Babylon)
(We lay down and wept, and wept for these I am)
A golden helmet blinded minds
Among ten thousand swords along the road to Babylon
A golden thunder silenced songs
Among ten thousand voices on the road to Babylon
(Well, well, well) beware that golden helmet
(Well, well, well) there’s no easy way to go
(Well, well, well) no easy road to follow
(Well, well, well)
A golden ocean turned to fire
And burned ten thousand ships along the road to Babylon
That golden dreamer touched the sky
Alone in empty silence on the road to Babylon
(Well, well, well) beware that golden thunder
(Well, well, well) that dreamed and sang the song
(Well, well, well) the empty sound of sorrow
(Well, well, well)