Al Stewart - A Man For All Seasons video free download

GildaLee27

Two King Henrys, two priests named Thomas. Each priest named Thomas said no to his respective king Henry. Each king Henry then killed his priest named Thomas. First time, King Henry Plantagenet killed Thomas a Becket in 1170. Then it happened in 1535, when King Henry Tudor killed Thomas More.As a teen, I had to figure out who & what Al was singing about here. I remember being confused at first, then having my mind blown by the facts I discovered. Did Al do this on purpose, I wondered, to draw attention to the spooky & tragic historical repeat? Later I read that he just goofed. Ok. But it was a felicitous goof.

Barukh1132

If you know the story of St. Thomas More, this song doesn't work.

luis casarotti

FIERRO !!!!WOW !!!

George Vausher

I love this guy

Devi Hitler

CAPTAIN, U NO CHEAT WITH ME TONIGHT. WHY?What if you reached the age of reasonOnly to find there was no reprieveWould you still be a man for all seasons?Or would you just have to leaveWe measure our days outIn steps of uncertaintyNot turning to see how we've comeAnd peer down the highwayFrom here to eternityAnd reach out for love on the runWhile the man for all seasonsIs lost behind the sunHenry Plantagenet still looks for someoneTo bring good news in his hour of doubtWhile Thomas More waits in the Tower of LondonWatching the sands running outAnd measures the hours outFrom here to oblivionIn actions that can't be undoneA sailor through the darknessHe scans the meridianAnd caught by the first rays of dawnThe man for all seasonsIs lost beneath the stormAnd I should know by nowI should know by nowI hear them call it out all aroundOh, they goThere's nothing to believe inHear them,Just daydreams, deceivingThey'll just let you downWhat if you reached the age of reasonOnly to find there was no reprieveWould you still be a man for all seasons?Or would you just disbelieve?We measure our gains out in luck and coincidenceLanterns to turn back the nightAnd put our defeats down to chance or experienceAnd try once again for the lightSome wait for the waters of fortune to cover themSome just see the tides of ill chance running over themSome call on JehovahSome cry out to AllahSome wait for the boats that still row to ValhallahWell, you should try to accept what the fates are unfoldingWhile some say they're sure where the blame should be fallingYou look round for maybe a chance of forestallingBot too soon its over and doneAnd the man for all seasonsIs lost behind the sun 

sandinyourshoes

Absolutely! The man sings like no one else, and those lyrics are priceless! Themes of historical events sweep us away. What treasures!

traumlicht11

I agree with you fully. I should have said "is" and not "was."

nigel hewitson

Your knowledge of English history is as dodgy as Al Stewart's. In the song he refers to Henry Plantagenet. Whereas Thomas More was imprisoned and beheaded by Henry Tudor i.e. Henry the 8th. More refused to sign the Act of Supremacy which recognised Henry as being head of the church. Henry was succeeded by his son Edward, then his daughter Mary and lastly Elizabeth. When she died the throne went to James 6th of Scotland who became simultaneously James 2nd of England i.e. James Stuart

Hermann Schnitzelbaum

He is quite alive and writing songs - his season is not over!

John Sterritt

I do believe it's a reference to his spirit looking down at his line fading (as the divorces and general inheritance mess of Henry Tudor(the reason Sir Thomas Moore is jailed) causes the crown to fall to Stuart.).

Angelo Nardo

una delle mie canzoni di Al preferite. My favourite!

Sara Carpenter

We will probably never know, but the ability to enjoy something now is a great gift

kringles Paul

Saw and met Al in Londonderry NH, an incredible performer and person.

Chart Uthai

love this song.

Paul Thomas

Nah. Al has described this lyric as a historical mistake. Can't bat a thousand.

hullois

but reason rhymes with seasons ...

rac717

I'm quite sure that Al did not mix up the Thomases. You can't turn a song a complete historical treatise, although Al came as close as anyone alive in Roads to Moscow.

Lee Maddison

Heh Heh, S'OK, I got what you meant. To be honest though, it's an old song and Al was young when he wrote it so I think he just cocked up!

smartalek180

Thank you so much for sharing this here. And for the pix... Mr Stewart was a cutie back in the day. Makes his (so frustrating!) lack of big-time mainstream success even more mystifying. How can so many people not recognize and love his genius?

booklady317

henry Plantagenet was Henry II, It could be a mistake but Al is good with his history. the wording is Henry Plantagenet still... he could be referind to his spirit?

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