Album: Past, Present and Future (1973)

License This Song 

• In the east the wind is blowing the boats across the sea
  And their sails will fill the morning and their cries ring out to me
  
  Oh, the more it changes, the more it stays the same
  And the hand just re-arranges the players in the game
  
  Oh, I had a dream
  It seemed I stood alone
  And the veil of all the years
  Goes sinking from my eyes like a stone
  
  A king shall fall and put to death by the English parliament shall be
  Fire and plague to London come in the year of six and twenties three
  An emperor of France shall rise who will be born near Italy
  His rule cost his empire dear, Napoleon his name shall be
  
  From Castile does Franco come and the Government driven out shall be
  An English king seeks divorce, and from his throne cast down is he
  One named Hister shall become a captain of Greater Germanie
  No law does this man observe and bloody his rise and fall shall be
  
  Man, man, your time is sand, your ways are leaves upon the sea
  I am the eyes of Nostradamus, all your ways are known to me
  Man, man, your time is sand, your ways are leaves upon the sea
  I am the eyes of Nostradamus, all your ways are known to me
  
  In the new lands of America three brothers now shall come to power
  Two alone are born to rule but all must die before their hour
  Two great men yet brothers not make the north united stand
  Its power be seen to grow, and fear possess the eastern lands
  
  Three leagues from the gates of Rome a Pope named Pol is doomed to die
  A great wall that divides a city at this time is cast aside
  These are the signs I bring to you
  to show you when the time is nigh
  
  Man, man, your time is sand, your ways are leaves upon the sea
  I am the eyes of Nostradamus, all your ways are known to me
  
  Man, man, your time is sand, your ways are leaves upon the sea
  I am the eyes of Nostradamus, all your ways are known to me Writer/s: ALISTAIR IAN STEWART
  Publisher: Universal Music Publishing Group
  Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

Comments: 5

• Pennyj from NibbiaiaOne named Pustain shall become captain of greater Muscovy
  No laws does this man observe and bloody his rise and fall shall be.
• John Cobb from Wilmington, DeI saw Al Stewart booed of stage at the Spectrum in Phil., Pa. He was opening for ELO, and they were late due to bus trouble. I had 5th row seats, and enjoyed Mr. Stewart anyway.
• Bill from San Francisco, CaAl has stated he doesn't believe in the prophecies, and doesn't care if you do. It was just a good song to write, he claims.
• Greg from Shelbyville, KyHere are the complete sleeve notes from Past Present and Future:
  
  The subject of the final song is Nostradamus (1503 to 1566) a provencal doctor and seer, who published his major work of prediction, "The Centuries" in 1555. The book was so called because it was divided into ten parts, each of 100 four line verses, stretching from the date of publication to an indefinite future. Many first editions still exist and there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the text.
  
  Nostradamus saw that a century after his death there would be a great fire in London; "The blood of the just will be demanded of London, burnt through fire in three times twenty and six." There too was the death of Charles the First; "The English Parliament will put its King to death." The name of Napoleon is revealed in an anagram; "Pay Nay Loron will be more of fire that=n blood.." "The Emperor born bear Italy."
  
  Then appears a second Anti Christ, Hitler; "Hister, the German of the Crooked Cross." 'Captain of Greater Germanie." He will be followed by a third and terrible Anti Christ, who will come from the East; "The long awaited Anti Christ will never return in Europe, he will appear in Asia." He will be linked with the death of a Pope named Paul (the last one dies in 1621) and with the influence of three brothers. The theme of war is constantly linked with these three brothers born in the New Land of America, who will all three be assassinated; "The Anti Christ will soon annihilate the three", and it will be a long drawn out war of attrition, lasting twenty seven years.
  
  Indications as to the imminence of this was are that "The West will be at the height of its power" and that it will break out thirteen years after an alliance between two world leaders who are not brothers." Before this Nostradamus sees Britain and France entering into a long and successful union, which may well be interpreted as The Common Market. The only other indication is that war may break out "the year of the great seventh number being accomplished", which would mean at the end of the 1970's, and which would be followed by a time of great slaughter. Even New York itself is not exempt; "The city of hollow mountains" (skyscrapers) will be poisoned through its water supply.
  
  The visions of Nostradamus of war and doom are similar to those of every prophet through the ages. Perhaps he may yet be honoured in his own country, and his warnings not ignored by future generation.
  
  ERIKA CHEETHAM
  
  The book on which the song "Nostradamus is based is "The Centuries of Nostradamus" by Erika Cheetham, to be published by Neville Spearman Limited, London and Putnams, NY.
  
  
• Greg from Shelbyville, KyAl writes on lyric sheet insert for the album:
  For "Nostradamus I have leaned heavily on the researches of Erika Cheetham, whose book on the subject is shortly to be published, and who has kindly written some sleeve notes for me. Whether or not you believe his prophesies to be true rest with you; but history seems to be on his side.

More Songfacts:

Take Me HomePhil Collins

Phil Collins' "Take Me Home" is about a patient in a mental institution and was inspired by the novel One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

Station to StationDavid Bowie

David Bowie's "Station to Station" is over 10 minutes long. Bowie was doing a lot of drugs at the time and later said, "I have only flashes of making it."

RosannaToto

"Rosanna" by Toto got its name from the actress Rosanna Arquette, who was dating Toto keyboard player Steve Porcaro.

Raspberry BeretPrince

The UK band The Lightning Seeds of "Pure" fame got their name from a misheard line in Prince's "Raspberry Beret," mistaking "thunder drowns out what the lightning sees" for "thunder drowns out the lightning seeds."

E.T.Katy Perry

Katy Perry's song "E.T." came from a beat originally intended for the rap group Three Six Mafia. When her producer accidentally pulled up the beat, Perry asked to use it.

ForeverChris Brown

"Forever" by Chris Brown was written for a Wrigley's Doublemint Gum commercial. The full song contains the gum's tagline: "Double your pleasure, double your fun."

Editor's Picks

Vanessa CarltonSongwriter Interviews

The "A Thousand Miles" singer on what she thinks of her song being used in White Chicks and how she captured a song from a dream.

Bands Named After Real People (Who Aren't In The Band)Song Writing

How a gym teacher, a janitor, and a junkie became part of some very famous band names.

Boz ScaggsSongwriter Interviews

The "Lowdown" and "Lido Shuffle" singer makes a habit of playing with the best in the business.

Producer Ron NevisonSong Writing

Ron Nevison explains in very clear terms the Quadrophenia concept and how Heart staged their resurgence after being dropped by their record company.

Barry Dean ("Pontoon," "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools")Songwriter Interviews

A top country songwriter, Barry talks about writing hits for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw and Jason Aldean.

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.