Jethro Tull — One White Duck
Album: A Little Light MusicAvg rating:
Your rating:
Total ratings: 387
Length: 2:17
Plays (last 30 days): 0
share
tweet
There's a haze on the skyline, to wish me on my way.
And there's a note on the telephone some roses on a tray.
And the motorway's stretching right out to us all,
as I pull on my old wings one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real? One white duck on your wall.
One duck on your wall.
I'll catch a ride on your violin strung upon your bow.
And I'll float on your melody sing your chorus soft and low.
There's a picture-view postcard to say that I called.
You can see from the fireplace, one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real? One white duck on your wall.
One duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
So fly away Peter and fly away Paul
from the finger-tip ledge of contentment.
Well, the long restless rustle of high-heeled boots calls.
And I'm probably bound to deceive you after all.
Something must be wrong with me and my brain
if I'm so patently unrewarding.
But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that way
and my zero to your power of ten equals nothing at all.
There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
I'm available for consultation,
But remember your way in is also my way out,
and love's four-letter word is no compensation.
Well, I'm the Black Ace dog-handler: I'm a waiter on skates
so don't you jump to your foreskin conclusion.
Because I'm up to my deaf ears in cold breakfast trays
to be cleared before I can dine on your sweet Sunday lunch confusion.
And there's a note on the telephone some roses on a tray.
And the motorway's stretching right out to us all,
as I pull on my old wings one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real? One white duck on your wall.
One duck on your wall.
I'll catch a ride on your violin strung upon your bow.
And I'll float on your melody sing your chorus soft and low.
There's a picture-view postcard to say that I called.
You can see from the fireplace, one white duck on your wall.
Isn't it just too damn real? One white duck on your wall.
One duck on your wall. One duck on your wall.
So fly away Peter and fly away Paul
from the finger-tip ledge of contentment.
Well, the long restless rustle of high-heeled boots calls.
And I'm probably bound to deceive you after all.
Something must be wrong with me and my brain
if I'm so patently unrewarding.
But my dreams are for dreaming and best left that way
and my zero to your power of ten equals nothing at all.
There's no double-lock defense; there's no chain on my door.
I'm available for consultation,
But remember your way in is also my way out,
and love's four-letter word is no compensation.
Well, I'm the Black Ace dog-handler: I'm a waiter on skates
so don't you jump to your foreskin conclusion.
Because I'm up to my deaf ears in cold breakfast trays
to be cleared before I can dine on your sweet Sunday lunch confusion.
Comments (52)add comment
Absolutely love this beautiful song, Play more often please!
Now yer getting it.
Ian Anderson another gift from God!
thanks Bill!
thanks Bill!
dang I miss this band. 
hidey wrote:Ian Anderson! What a LEGEND - anybody know why he is inclined to stand on one leg when playing his flute? Great band, great track.
because he could? it ain't even close to easy........
thanks bill, for playing Ian. & J.T. , these guys re-wrote what rock could be.Yes, the original is far better than this one.
Please more Minstrel in the Gallery!!!
Shesdifferent wrote:
Please more Minstrel in the Gallery!!!
Shesdifferent wrote:
Although I prefer the album recorded version of this....this is one of my ultimate favorite songs ever!
hidey wrote:
MinMan wrote:
Deep Vein Thrombosis?
I thought it may have been Saint Vitus Dance or Restless Leg Syndrome; only his apothecary knows for sure, and he's been sworn to secrecy by the Knights Templar. I think it's probably to avoid having his codpiece pinch him when he hits those high notes, lest those notes become higher than intended.
...anybody know why he is inclined to stand on one leg when playing his flute?...
MinMan wrote:
Deep Vein Thrombosis?
I thought it may have been Saint Vitus Dance or Restless Leg Syndrome; only his apothecary knows for sure, and he's been sworn to secrecy by the Knights Templar. I think it's probably to avoid having his codpiece pinch him when he hits those high notes, lest those notes become higher than intended.
indeed, more tull.....
More Jethro Tull!
hidey wrote:
Deep Vein Thrombosis?
anybody know why he is inclined to stand on one leg when playing his flute?
Deep Vein Thrombosis?
Ian Anderson! What a LEGEND - anybody know why he is inclined to stand on one leg when playing his flute? Great band, great track.
Shesdifferent wrote:
Yes, Minstrel in the Gallery is a piece of art
Although I prefer the album recorded version of this....this is one of my ultimate favorite songs ever!
Yes, Minstrel in the Gallery is a piece of art
Although I prefer the album recorded version of this....this is one of my ultimate favorite songs ever!
OMG! A great version of one of the greatest songs of all time.
Have I grown old, or has paradise?
Stingray wrote:
...All he is now, is old!
Ah, you have some interesting revelations in store for you. Good fortune on your journey. Hang a Shell No-Duck Strip from the ceiling.
Ian............... the finest of them all.
This always breaks me down, thanks again Bill!
Very nice!!
Stingray wrote:
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
Good grief. 62 is not even close to being old.
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
Good grief. 62 is not even close to being old.
I saw these guys twice last year, the first concert was a little loose and some cues weren't spot on, the second time was their 40th anniverary tour. That was a fine concert, they brought out Seth Lakeman for a few numbers, he fitted in quite neatly, they realyy were fine tuned that night.
I agree Ian's voice isn't as strong as before, but hey, Mine ain't that good now and he's older than me by a few years! He still leaps around a bit!
I agree Ian's voice isn't as strong as before, but hey, Mine ain't that good now and he's older than me by a few years! He still leaps around a bit!
Stingray wrote:
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
Old! You've got to be kidding?!?!? When he performed in November he was flying around the stage (for nearly 3 hours) like he was still in his twenties. I'd like to see some of the younger *farts* in this forum keep up. I think he's in his mid sixties.
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
Old! You've got to be kidding?!?!? When he performed in November he was flying around the stage (for nearly 3 hours) like he was still in his twenties. I'd like to see some of the younger *farts* in this forum keep up. I think he's in his mid sixties.
I really wanted to hear this when I saw him in concert a few months ago. Alas, this was a nice consolation, thanks Bill!
I never did get the allure of Jethro Tull, and I don't think I ever will.
To each his own.
To each his own.
isayhoomhom wrote:
When this album came out, he had been having voice problems for some time. However, he seems to have recovered; his voice on more recent albums seems fine.
It's such a shame what's happened to Ian Anderson's voice over the years. The original Minstrel version is so beautiful. His voice by this point is a little whiny. They are still one of my favorite groups (pre-Under Wraps) nonetheless. Thanks for playing it, Bill.
When this album came out, he had been having voice problems for some time. However, he seems to have recovered; his voice on more recent albums seems fine.
It's such a shame what's happened to Ian Anderson's voice over the years. The original Minstrel version is so beautiful. His voice by this point is a little whiny. They are still one of my favorite groups (pre-Under Wraps) nonetheless. Thanks for playing it, Bill.
big_gare wrote:
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
Forgot what a great song this is. Ian Anderson is a poet. This song is why I listen to RP! Thanks Bill...
He is actually more of a fish-farmer.
But yes, has has been great. All he is now, is old!
woodchuk wrote:
Anderson was once upon a time very enthusiastic about farming Atlantic salmon.
Ian Anderson is a bit like an eccentric country gentleman up the road who keeps foxhunting hounds in his lounge-room...
Anderson was once upon a time very enthusiastic about farming Atlantic salmon.
very light - this music!
Forgot what a great song this is. Ian Anderson is a poet. This song is why I listen to RP! Thanks Bill...
woodchuk wrote:
Ah, to be that gentleman..............
Ian Anderson is a bit like an eccentric country gentleman up the road who keeps foxhunting hounds in his lounge-room...
Ah, to be that gentleman..............It's been a while since I heard this song.. I have always liked JT's iconoclastic creative style... Ian Anderson is a bit like an eccentric country gentleman up the road who keeps foxhunting hounds in his lounge-room...
Pieter wrote:
Not short enough.
An extra point for its uncharacteristic - for them - brevity.
Not short enough.
From Minstrel in the Gallery. Much overlooked but great Tull album.
finally something from Minstrel in the Gallery
can we have more?
can we have more?
Comfort food.
Once again Bill plays a good song I've never heard from a group that I've enjoyed for a long time.
Don' screw wif a bloke wot knows 'is Tull!
kaybee wrote:
Uncharacteristic brevity??!!!!
Let's see: There's Just trying to be (1.36) and Nursie (1.38) from LIving in the Past. Cheap Day Return (1:21) Wondring Aloud (1.53); Slipstream; (1.13) all from Aqualung; Grace (from Minstrel in the Gallery - 0.37). They have a lot of other songs that are between 2 & 3 minutes long.
kaybee wrote:
Uncharacteristic brevity??!!!!
Let's see: There's Just trying to be (1.36) and Nursie (1.38) from LIving in the Past. Cheap Day Return (1:21) Wondring Aloud (1.53); Slipstream; (1.13) all from Aqualung; Grace (from Minstrel in the Gallery - 0.37). They have a lot of other songs that are between 2 & 3 minutes long.
Pieter wrote:
Uncharacteristic brevity??!!!!
Let's see: There's Just trying to be (1.36) and Nursie (1.38) from LIving in the Past. Cheap Day Return (1:21) Wondring Aloud (1.53); Slipstream; (1.13) all from Aqualung; Grace (from Minstrel in the Gallery - 0.37). They have a lot of other songs that are between 2 & 3 minutes long.
An extra point for its uncharacteristic - for them - brevity.
Uncharacteristic brevity??!!!!
Let's see: There's Just trying to be (1.36) and Nursie (1.38) from LIving in the Past. Cheap Day Return (1:21) Wondring Aloud (1.53); Slipstream; (1.13) all from Aqualung; Grace (from Minstrel in the Gallery - 0.37). They have a lot of other songs that are between 2 & 3 minutes long.
Just lovely.
A beautiful song illustrating the softer side of the underrated album MinstreI In The Gallery, by the underrated group Jethro Tull, who recently celebrated their 40th anniversary as professional musicians. I was there at one of the recent shows, and it was great performance - the band really has improved their lineup with the latest round of changes.
Although the Tull lineup has altered many times over the years, the fact that the creativity of Anderson/Barre at the core have managed to keep the group viable and touring, playing their eclectic vision of rock and folk for four decades makes them a super-group, and Anderson a genius, as far as I'm concerned.
There never has been, nor will there ever be anything like it again, so enjoy it if you're so inclined!
Although the Tull lineup has altered many times over the years, the fact that the creativity of Anderson/Barre at the core have managed to keep the group viable and touring, playing their eclectic vision of rock and folk for four decades makes them a super-group, and Anderson a genius, as far as I'm concerned.
There never has been, nor will there ever be anything like it again, so enjoy it if you're so inclined!
An extra point for its uncharacteristic - for them - brevity.
cosmiclint wrote:
I'll cover your 8 and raise you a 10! The majesty that is TULL! Original and Superb!
First time I've rated a song and seen the average go up.
I'll cover your 8 and raise you a 10! The majesty that is TULL! Original and Superb!
Don't know this number but there is no mistaking Ian Anderson's voice.
Nice.
First time I've rated a song and seen the average go up.
His tendency to stand on one leg while playing the flute came about by accident, as he had been inclined to stand on one leg while playing the harmonica, holding the microphone stand for balance. Anderson was known for his famous one-legged flute stance, and was once referred to as a "deranged flamingo". This stance is on many album covers of Jethro Tull. During a long stint at the Marquee Club, a journalist described him, wrongly, as standing on one leg to play the flute. He decided to live up to the reputation, albeit with some difficulty. His early attempts are visible in The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus (1968) film appearance of Jethro Tull. This was referenced in the facetious liner notes for Thick as a Brick in a quote about "the one-legged pop flautist, Ian Anderson."
Today he no longer does this much if at all, occasionally tossing in a fleeting moment of it as a crowd pleaser for old times sake.