The Sailor's Hornpipe original version © 1973
(Words: Vivian Stanshall / Music: Traditional)

Vocals: Vivian Stanshall

The hallway.

From outside, an ordinary house. A great house, true - four hundred and eighty three rooms, each one with its own marble wash basin and douche, bidet as it may. But inside, and the positions are reversed. A human failing, some say a disease, but a disease that Sir Francis Dashwood knew, and knew it well.

Upstairs, inside and a revelation. It's a discotheque. No, no, uh.. there
are paintings, real, and look here - a rare seventeenth century masterpiece, and if I can scrape a little of it off, beneath I can find hidden a fourteenth century underpiece.

Made entirely of tiny pieces of eggshells, this lurid work has caused controversy in the world of embroidery and anthropologicky. No, I'll say it again, anthropolology. Umm.. no quite possibly make an anthropol, no, uh, I mean an apolog..ph.. It has enthralled distinguished professors, and in layman's language is "blinking well baffling".

But to be more obtusely, "buggered if I know." Yes, "buggered if I know." And that's all we've gleaned so far from experts in fourteenth century painting, renaissance, greengrocers, and recently revived members of the public. Buggered if I know.

Vivian Stanshall, about three o'clock in the morning,
Oxfordshire, 1973, Goodnight.

Sally Oldfield & Clodagh Simonds

Froggy Went A-Courting © 1973
(Traditional)

Vocals: Mike Oldfield / Vanessa Branson

The Frog Went A-Courting In A Heated Ride
The Frog Went A-Courting And He Did Right
The Frog Went A-Courting On A Little White Horse
The Sword And Pistol By His Side

He Went Down To Miss Mouse's Door
He Went Down To Miss Mouse's Door
He Went Down To Miss Mouse's Door
Where He Had Been Many Times Before

Then He Took Miss Mouse Upon His Knee
And He Took Miss Mouse Upon His Knee
Yes, He Took Miss Mouse Upon His Knee
And He Said: Miss Mouse Will You Marry Me?

Without My Onkel Rat's Consent
I'm Affraid Without My Onkel Rat's Consent
Oh No, Without My Onkel Rat's Consent
I Would Not Marry The President

Then Onkel Rat Laughed And He Shock His Fat Side
Yes, Then Onkel Rat Laughed And He Shock His Fat Side
Onkel Rat Laughed And He Shock His Fat Side
To Think That His Niece Would Be A Bride

Then He Said: Where Will The Wedding Breakfast Be?
Oh, Where Will The Wedding Breakfast Be?
Where Will The Wedding Breakfast Be?
Way Down Yonder In That Hollow Tree?

The Owls Did Hoot And The Birds They Sang
The Owls Did Hoot And The Birds They Sang
And The Owls Did Hoot And The Birds They Sang
Through The Woods The Music Rang

And They All Went Sailing Across The Lake
And They All Went Sailing Across The Lake
And They All Went Sailing Across The Lake
And They Got Swollowed Up By A Big Fat Snake

There's Bread And Cheese Upon The Shelf
There's Bread And Cheese Upon The Shelf
There's Bread And Cheese Upon The Shelf
If You Want Anymore You Can Sing It Yourself

(Verse sung by Vanessa Branson on UK version but sung by Mike Oldfield on the so called "German version")

Vocals: David Bedford / Mike Oldfield

(Chorus)

Speak, Vision Of The Night
Tell Me Why You Haunt Me So
Speak, Add A Warning Light
Whisper Of My Heart Would Know
Dawn Never Finds You Gone
Back To Where The Shadows Dwell
Speak, My Beloved, Speak
Tho' You Only Say Farewell

When Doubts And Fears
Cause The Tears That Blind Me
Why Be Dumb If You've Come To Find Me
Speak To Me And I'll Follow
Leaving All The World Behind Me
Can Those Eyes Calm And Wise Deceive Me
While I Still Know The Thrill Of You
Mystic Shade There You Flate
And Leave Me Arms Awide And Warm

(Repeat Chorus In Canon)

Speak Speak

On Horseback © 1975
(Words: Mike Oldfield & William Murray / Music: Oldfield)

Vocals: Mike Oldfield / The Penrhos Kids

I Like Beer And I Like Cheese
I Like The Smell Of A Westerly Breeze
But I Like More Than All Of These
To Be On Horseback

(Chorus)

Hey And Away We Go
Through The Grass Cross The Snow
Big Brown Beastie
Big Brown Face
I'd Rather Be With You
Than Flying Through Space

I Like Thunder And I Like Rain
And Open Fires With Roaring Flames
But If The Thunder Is In My Brain
I'd Like To Be On Horseback

Some Like The City Some The Noise
Some Make Chaos And Others Toys
But If I Was To Have The Choice
I'd Rather Be On Horseback

(Repeat Chorus)

Some Find It Strange To Be Here
On This Small Planet With Who Knows Where
But When It's Strange And Full Of Fear
It's Nice To Be On Horseback

Some Are Short And Others Tall
Some Hit There Heads Against The Wall
But It Doesn't Really Matter At All
When You Happen To Be On Horseback

(Repeat Chorus)

So If You Feel A little Glum
To Hergest Ridge You Should Come
In Summer Winther Rain Or Sun
It's Good To Be On Horseback - Hhmmm

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

You Know, I'D Rather Be On Horseback

(Sentence only on the original version)

Vocals: Clodagh Simonds / Bridget St. John

Abyul Annie Id Yadored
En Yab Na Logga Toch No Awed
Tor May On Ommadawn Egg Kyowl
Ommadawn Egg Kyowl Aaahhheeaahh Kyowl

(Repeat six times)

(Words in Gaelic but written phonetically. Roughly they mean:
The cat is in the kitchen, drinking milk, I'm a fool and I'm laughing)

 

Don Alfonso © 1975
(Ted Waite)

Vocals: David Bedford

Now I'm A Toreador
I Am For Sure
I Kill Bulls By The Score
And Sometimes More
And When They Hear The Bell Ring
Inside The Bullring
The Bullocks All Start Trembling
They Know I'm Coming

I'm Don Alfonso
Some Call Me Pedro
But That Is Not So
I'm Don Alfonso
I Fought Bullocks Out In Sunny Spain
Out In Sunny Spain
I Fought Bulls In The Sunshine
And I Fought Them In The Rain
I'm Don Alfonso
I Work For Oxo
And All The Bullocks Are Affraid Of Me
Oh My Sword I Pull
Kill Si Bull
Yes Sir Yes Sir Three Bags Full
Then We Have Steak And Chips For Tea

I Met A Sweet Señora
In Barcelona
Her Christian Name Was Mona
She Was Thumbs Up Bona
She Told Me She Was Single
That Made Me Tingle
My Heart Went Jingle Jingle
I Said: Let's Mingle

I'm Don Alfonso
Some Call Me Pedro
But That Is Not So
I'm Don Alfonso
I Fought Bullocks Out In Sunny Spain
Out In Sunny Spain
I Fought Bulls In The Sunshine
And I Fought Bulls In The Rain
I'm Don Alfonso
I Work For Oxo
And All The Bullocks Are Affraid Of Me
Oh My Sword I Pull
Kill Si Bull
Yes Sir Yes Sir Three Bags Full
Then We Have Fully Beff For Tea
(Repeat Two Times)

I Fight Bulls Every Sunday
And Sometimes Monday
And When I Fight On Sunday
We've Cold Meat Monday
We Have Meat Hash On Tuesday
Sometimes Hashed Wednesday
We Don't Eat Meat On Friday
We Wait Till Sunday

I'm Don Alfonso
Some Call Me Pedro
But That Is Not So
I'm Don Alfonso
I Fought Bullocks Out In Sunny Spain
Out In Sunny Spain
I Fought Bulls In The Sunshine
And We Fought Bulls In The Rain
I'm Don Alfonso
I Work For Oxo
And All The Bullocks Are Affraid Of Me
Oh My Sword I Pull
Kill Si Bull
Yes Sir Yes Sir Three Bags Full
Then We Have Ham And Eggs For Tea

(Verses only on the long version)

Vocals: Classes 2 & 3 Queen's College London

We're Homeward Bound Across The Blue Sea
Going Home
We're Homeward Bound Across The Blue Sea
And We're Bound For The Old Country
Then Away, Love Away

Going Home
We're Homeward Bound This Very Day
And We're Bound For The Old Country

The Sails Are Unfurled And The Anchor's Away
Going Home
She Heels To The Breeze, As She Gathers Her Way
And We're Bound For The Old Country
Then Away, Love Away

Going Home
We're Homeward Bound This Very Day
And We're Bound For The Old Country

We're Homeward Bound Across The Blue Sea
Going Home
We're Homeward Bound Across The Blue Sea
And We're Bound For The Old Country
Then Away, Love Away

Going Home
We're Homeward Bound This Very Day
And We're Bound For The Old Country

We're Going Home

(Repeat Four Times And Fade)

Incantations (II) © 1977
(Mike Oldfield)

Vocals: Maddy Prior, Sally Oldfield &
The Queens College Girls

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa
Looh - She - Naa

(Repeat three times)

Looh - Naa

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa
Looh - She - Naa

(Repeat three times)

Looh - Naa
Looh - Naa

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa
Looh - She - Naa

(Repeat)

Looh - Naeh

Hymn To Diana from Incantations Part 4 © 1977
(Words: Ben Johnson / Music: Mike Oldfield)

Vocals: Maddy Prior

Queen And Huntress Chaste And Fair
Now The Sun Is Laid To Sleep
Seated In A Silver Chair
State In Wonted Manner Keep

Earth Let Not An Envious Shade
Dare Itself To Inter Pose
Cynthia's Shining Orb Was Made
Heav'n To Cheer When Day Did Close

Lay The Bow Of Pearl Apart
And The Crystal Shining Quiver
Give Un To The Flying Hart
Space To Breathe How Short So Ever

Hesper Us Entreats Thy Light
Goddess Excellently Bright
Bless Us Then With Wished Sight
Thou Who Makes A Day Of Night

(From the play "Cynthia's Revels")

Alright Now © 1979
(Andy Fraser & Paul Rodgers)

Vocals: Wendy Roberts

There She Stood In The Street
Smilin' From Her Head To Her Feet
He Said Hey, What Is This?
Maybe She's In Need Of A Kiss
He Said Hey, What's Your Name?, Now
Maybe We Can See Things The Same
Now Don't You Wait, Or Hesitate
Let's Move Before They Raise The Parking Rate

All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now
All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now

He Took Her Home To His Place
Watchin' Every Move On Her Face
She Said Hey, What's Your Game?
Are You Gonna Put Me In Shame?
He Said Slow, Don't Go So Fast, Now
Don't You Think That Love Can Last?
She Said Love, Lord Above
Now You're Tryin' To Trick Me In Love?

All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now
All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now

He Took Her Home To His Place
Watchin' Every Move On Her Face
She Said Look, What's Your Game?
Are You Tryin' To Put Me In Shame?
He Said Slow, Don't Go So Fast, Now
Don't You Think That Love Can Last?
She Said Love, Lord Above
Now He's Tryin' To Trick Me In Love

All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now
All Right Now, Baby It's All Right Now

Vocals: Maddy Prior, Sally Oldfield &
The Queens College Girls

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa
Looh - She - Naa

(Repeat 18 times)

Looh - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh - Ooh - Naa
Looh - She - Naa

Dah - Yaa - Naa
Looh
Looh - She - Naa
Looh - Naa

Maddy Prior

The Song Of Hiawatha from Incantations Part 2 © 1977
(Words: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow / Music: Oldfield)

Vocals: Maddy Prior

Hiawatha's Departure

By The Shore Of Gitche Gumee
By The Shining Big-Sea-Water
At The Doorway Of The Wigwam
In The Early Summer Morning

Hiawatha Stood And Waited
All The Air Was Full Of Freshness
All The Earth Was Bright And Joyous
And Before Him Through The Sunshine

Westward Toward The Neighbouring Forest
Passed In Golden Swams, The Ahmo
Passed The Bees, The Honey-Makers
Burning, Singing In The Sunshine

Bright Above Him Shone The Heavens
Level Spread The Lake Before Him;
From Its Bosom Leaped The Sturgeon
Sparkling, Flashing In The Sunshine

On Its Margin The Great Forest
Stood Reflected In The Water
Every Tree-Top Had Its Shadow
Motionless Beneath The Water

From The Bow Of Hiawatha
Gone Was Every Trace Of Sorrow
As The Fog From Off The Water
As The Mist Of The Meadow

With A Smile Of Joy And Gladness
With A Look Of Exultation
As Of One Who In A Vision
Sees What Is To Be, But Is Not

Stood And Waited Hiawatha
Toward The Sun His Hands Were Lifted
Both The Palms Spread Out Towards It
And Between The Parted Fingers

Feel The Sunshine On His Features
Flecked With Light His Naked Shoulders
As It Falls And Flecks An Oak-Tree
Through The Rifted Leaves And Branches

O'er The Water Floating, Flying
Something In The Hazy Distance
Something In The Mist Of Morning
Loomed And Lifted From The Water
Now Seemed Floating, Now Seemed Flying
Coming Nearer, Nearer, Nearer
Was It Shingebis, The Diver?
Or The Pelican, The Shada?

Or The Heron, The Shuh-Shuh-Gah?
Or The White Goose, Waw-Be-Wawa,
With The Water Dripping, Flashing
From Its Glossy Neck And Feathers?

It Was Neither Goose Or Diver
Neither Pelican Nor Heron
O'er The Water Floating, Flying
Through The Shining Mist Of Morning

But A Birch Canoe With Paddles
Rising, Sinking In The Sunshine
Dripping, Flashing In The Sunshine
And Within It Came A People

The Song Of The Evening Star

Can It Be The Sun Descending
O'er The Level Plain Of Water
Or The Red Swan Floatin, Flying
Wounded By The Magic Arrow

Staining All The Waves With Crimson
With The Crimson Of Its Lifeblood
Filling All The Air With Splendour
Filling All The Air With Plumage

Yes, It Is The Sun Descending
Sinking Down Into The Water
All The Sky Is Stained With Purple
All The Water Flushed With Crimson!

No, It Is The Red Swan Floating
Diving Down Beneath The Water
To The Sky Its Wings Are Lifted
With Its Blood The Waves Are Reddened!

Over It The Star Of Evening
Melts And Trembles Through The Purple
Hangs Suspended In The Twilight
Walks In Silence Through The Heavens!

(From the poem "The Song Of Hiawatha")

Vocals: Mike Oldfield / Nico Ramsden

Isn't It Good To Know
You Only Get One Go
Give Me A Key And Let Me See
Try And Act Normally

Seems It's An Ancient Art
To Be The One Who Starts It Rolling
Wouldn't You Like To Know The Way
Here What The Wise Man Say:

(Chorus)

Sally I'm Just A Gorilla
I'll Say: I Love You Ever More
Even An Ape From Manila
Couldn't Stop Me Knocking On Your Door

One And Add One Make Two
Only You Must Come Through
If There's A Way Then Let Me Say:
I'd Rather Stay With You

Seems It's An Ancient Art
To Be The One Who Starts It Rolling
Wouldn't You Like To Know The Way
Here What The Wise Man Say:

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

Into Wonderland © 1979
(Mike Oldfield)

Vocals: Wendy Roberts

Oh Yeah
May I Say One Fine Day
If You Say You Would
We Could Run Away
Just Say Goodbye
There's No Cloud In The Sky
This Time Sunshine
We're Gonna Fly

You Can Hear That Whistle Blow
There's No One Gonna Know
Take My Hand And We Can Softly Go
When The Stars Come Out To Shine
You Are Gonna Be Mine
Sure As That Love That Jazz
We Are Gonna Be Fine

Just Take My Hand
And Try To Understand
We'll Fly Honey Pie Into Wonderland
And If You Want Me Too
I'll Come Back To You
Sure As That Love That Jazz
I Love You

Vocals: Wendy Roberts

I Got Sunshine
I Got Blue Sky
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

Old Man Trouble
I Don't Mind Him
You Won't Find Him
Hanging Round My Door

I Got Rhythm
I Got Music
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

I Got Rhythm
I Got Music
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

I Got Sunshine
I Got Blue Sky
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

I Got Starlight
I Got Sweet Dreams
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

Old Man Trouble
I Don't Mind Him
You Won't Find Him
Hanging Round My Door

I Got Rhythm
I Got Music
I Got My Guy
Who Could Ask For Anything More

Wendy Roberts

Vocals: Maggie Reilly / Mike Oldfield

Sa-Na Gha-E E-Goo Ga-Ka E-Ge Ga-Ka Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Ka Wroo-Goo Goo Goo
Sa-Na Gha-E E-Goo Ga-Ka E-Ge A-Ka Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Ka Wroo-Goo Ga-Ga
Sa-Ga Oo-Goo We Ga-Noo Sa-E-Ga
Oo-Goo Wa-Ga Ga-Ka We Sa-Noo Se-Ya
Wa-Ga Oo-Goo We Ga-Noo Sa-E-Ga
Oo-Ga Ga-Ga Wa-Ka We Sa-Noo Se-Va
Na Ga-Ka Oo-Goo We Ga-Noo Da-Ya
Ga Wa-Ga Ga Oo-Goo We Wa Na De-Ya
Gha-E

Sa-Na Sha-E E-Goo Gam-Ma E-Ge Gan-Na Wroo
E-Ge Gan-Na Wroo
Wroo-Goo Sa-Na Sha-E E-Goo Gam-Ma E-Ge Gan-Na Wroo
We-Ge Gan-Na Wroo
Gan-Na Sa-Na Ghoo Noo We Ga-Na Sha-We-Ga
Wroo Noo Na-Na Wa-Ga
We Sa-Nu Sa-Va
Sa-Na Shoo-Noo Ne Ga-Noo Sha-We-Ga
Wroo-Goo Wan-Na Wa-Ga We Sa-Noo Sa-Wa
Wa Wa-Ga Who Goo We Wa-Ga Ghe-A
Ga Wa-Ga Gan-Na Wroo Goo We Wa-Ga Ghe-A
Ga-E-A-Ga Ga-E E-Goo Sa-Na Wa-Ma Sa-Na Wroo
Ga-Na- Sa-Na Wam-Ma Goo-Noo
Wa-Ma Gha-E E-Goo Sa-Na
Wa-Ma Ga-Na Wroo Noo Sa-Ya-Noo Sa-Ya-Noo
Sa-Na Wroo Goo Wran-Ne Wra-Na Wroo Goo Dan Da Da-E
Da Ya Who Da
Sa-Na Nroo Goo Nra-Na Nra-Ma
Hroo Goo Dan Dar Da-E Da-Ya-Hoo Da-Ya-Hoo
Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Ma Wa-Ga Ga-Ma Wroo
Wa-Ga Ga-Ma Wroo
Oo-Noo Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Ma Wa-Ga Ga-Ma Wroo
Wa-Ga Ga-Na Wroo
Ga-Na Sa-Na Wroo Noo Wre Ga-Noo Sa-We-Ga
Wroo Goo Wa-Na Wa-Ga We Sa-Noo Sa-Wa
Sa-Na Wroo Goo We Ga-Noo Sa-We-Ga
Wroo Goo Wra-Ma Wa-Ga We Sa-Noo Sa-Va
Wra Wa-Ga Wroo Goo We Ga-Ga Ge-A
Ga Wra-Ga Gam-Ma Wroo Goo We Ga-Ga Ge-A
Ga-E-E-Ga Ga-E-E-Goo Sa-Na Wa-Ma Sa-Na Wroo
Wa-Ma Sa-Na Ra-Ma Goo Noo Ra-Ma
Ga-E-E-Goo Sa-Na Wa-Ma Ga-Na Wroo
Wa-Ma Ga-Na Sa-E-Ya-Noo
Sa-Na Wroo Goo Nra-Ne-Ra-Ma
Nroo Goo Dan Da Da-E Da-Ya Hoo Ga
Sa-Na Nroo Goo Nre-Ne-Ra-Ma
Nroo Goo Dan Da Da-E Da-Ya-Hoo Da-Ya-Hoo
Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Na We-Ge-Ga-Na Wroo
We-Ge-Ga-Na Wroo
Hroo-Noo Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Ma E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
Hroo-Goo Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Ma E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
Nroo-Noo Sa-Na Sa-E E-Goo Ga-Ma E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo
E-Ge Ga-Na Wroo

(These are nonsense words, written phonetically)

Vocals: Maggie Reilly

(Chorus)

As Far Wrengo Delta
Cento Elto Rebishow
Novish Rama Esto Rama
Cento Rebishlow

Now Bella Rema Bella
Suma Zappa Retisgo

(Repeat Chorus)

Bella Rema Bella
Suma Zappa Retisgo

(Repeat Chorus Twice)

(These are nonsense words - with any meaning you choose to give them - used for their sounds.)

The Ommadawn Sessions