Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun Lyrics – Pink Floyd – Ummagumma

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Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun (Waters) 9:26

Little by little the night turns around.
Counting the leaves which tremble at dawn.
Lotuses lean on each other in yearning.
Under the eaves the swallow is resting.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun.

Over the mountain watching the watcher.
Breaking the darkness
Waking the grapevine.
One inch of love is one inch of shadow
Love is the shadow that ripens the wine.
Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun.

Witness the man who raves at the wall
Making the shape of his questions to Heaven.
Whether the sun will fall in the evening
Will he remember the lesson of giving?
Set the controls for the heart of the sun.
The heart of the sun, the heart of the sun.

01. Astronomy Domine
02. Careful With That Axe Eugene
03. Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
04. Saucerful Of Secrets
05. Sysyphus
06. Grantchester Meadows
07. Several Species Of Small Furry Animals Gathered Together…
08. Narrow Way
09. Grand Vizier’s Garden Party

About The Song

“Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” is a Pink Floyd masterpiece that melds poetic lyrics with a mesmerizing soundscape to explore deep space and deeper emotions. The song’s title is a directive, drawing listeners on a journey to the center of existence, both cosmic and personal.

The lyrics, penned by Roger Waters, are a tapestry of ancient and celestial imagery, with references to the sun as a timeless witness to human history. Verses like “Witness the man who raves at the wall” conjure images of introspection and the quest for enlightenment, while the recurring line “Set the controls for the heart of the sun” echoes as both an astronaut’s literal command and a metaphor for inner discovery.

Musically, the song is an exemplary piece of the band’s experimental phase, with a hypnotic bass line, ethereal organ melodies, and punctuating percussion. The use of a gong, chimes, and other unconventional instruments adds to the otherworldly atmosphere, inviting the listener to lose themselves in the vastness of the track’s sonic universe.

The overlap of Waters’ and Barrett’s tenures in the band is felt here, blending introspective lyricism with innovative psychedelic sounds. “Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun” captures the essence of a band in transition and the spirit of an era looking towards the heavens for answers.

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