The Three Fates

Album: Emerson, Lake & Palmer (1970)
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • An instrumental from the first Emerson, Lake & Palmer album, "The Three Fates" is based on the Greek legend of the Moirai, three women that determined one's destiny. The song is a suite divided into three parts, each representing one of the Moirai.

    Clotho - The spinner of the thread.

    Lachesis - She who measures the thread.

    Atropos - The one who cuts the thread.
  • The group's keyboard player Keith Emerson composed this track. He would jokingly refer to it as "The Three Farts."
  • Emerson played the "Clotho" section of this song on the pipe organ at Newcastle City Hall in England, where the band recorded their Pictures At An Exhibition album. He played the "Lachesis" section using 7-foot Yamaha grand piano at Advision Studios in London.

Comments: 1

  • Russell Farley from Olathe, Kansas UsaI always wondered what prompted Keith to play this on a pipe organ. Great tune to crank up on the stereo!
see more comments

Editor's Picks

Gary Brooker of Procol Harum

Gary Brooker of Procol HarumSongwriter Interviews

The lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, Gary talks about finding the musical ideas to match the words.

Andy McClusky of OMD

Andy McClusky of OMDSongwriter Interviews

Known in America for the hit "If You Leave," OMD is a huge influence on modern electronic music.

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-Nighters

Waiting For The Break of Day: Three Classic Songs About All-NightersSong Writing

These Three famous songs actually describe how they were written - late into the evening.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Graham Nash

Graham NashSongwriter Interviews

Graham Nash tells the stories behind some of his famous songs and photos, and is asked about "yacht rock" for the first time.

Michael Sweet of Stryper

Michael Sweet of StryperSongwriter Interviews

Find out how God and glam metal go together from the Stryper frontman.