The Night Watch

King Crimson's 'The Night Watch' is a lyrical homage to Rembrandt's famous painting, 'The Night Watch,' which captures a moment in Dutch history with profound depth and detail. The song opens with a call to 'shine, shine, the light of good works shine,' setting the stage for a reflection on the painting's subjects and their significance. The lyrics describe the painting's depiction of the city guards, who are now 'grimly' aged by three hundred years, yet still stand as symbols of their time. The 'worthy Captain and his squad of troopers' are immortalized through the artist's intimate knowledge of their faces, representing a cross-section of society, from 'husbands of his lady friends' to 'creditors and councillors.'

The song delves into the historical and social context of the painting, highlighting the 'official moments of the guild' and the 'city fathers frozen there upon the canvas dark with age.' This imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and reverence for a bygone era, where the 'smell of paint' and a 'flask of wine' bring the scene to life. The 'blunderbuss and halberd-shaft' symbolize the martial readiness and 'Dutch respectability' of the time, while the 'redbrick home' and 'guitar lessons for the wife' reflect the bourgeois values and domestic life of the period.

The lyrics also touch on the broader historical context, referencing the 'Spanish wars' that had racked the country and the subsequent period of peace and self-discovery. The 'pride of little men' and the 'burghers good and true' are celebrated as enduring symbols of Dutch resilience and identity. Through the painter's hands, these figures continue to live on, inviting listeners to understand and appreciate the rich tapestry of history and culture that they represent. King Crimson's 'The Night Watch' is not just a song but a vivid narrative that bridges the past and present, capturing the essence of a pivotal moment in Dutch history.