Glastonbury Song

The Waterboys' song "Glastonbury Song" is a rich tapestry of spiritual exploration and self-discovery. The lyrics take the listener on a journey through various mystical and historical landscapes, blending personal introspection with broader spiritual themes. The song opens with the narrator dreaming themselves from the sultry plains to the old green square in Maybole, a small town in Scotland. This sets the stage for a journey that is both physical and metaphysical, as the narrator travels through different places, each with its own spiritual significance.

The recurring line, "I just found God where he always was," serves as the song's central revelation. It suggests that the divine is not something distant or hidden but is always present, waiting to be discovered. This realization is reached through various experiences, such as riding the wind to Stornaway, pausing at a peak to pacify the soul, and catching a bus at a faery fort. These locations are not just geographical but also symbolic, representing different stages of spiritual awakening and enlightenment.

The song also references various cultural and spiritual figures, such as the Buddha boy and Crazy Horse, blending Eastern and Western spiritual traditions. The mention of drinking fire with the king of the blues and plugging into the medicine way further enriches the song's spiritual tapestry, suggesting a synthesis of different paths to enlightenment. The journey culminates in a sense of profound gratitude and a recognition of the interconnectedness of all things, as the narrator finds themselves on the roof of the world, waiting to get their wings. The song closes with a promise to return to a green hill far away, symbolizing a return to a place of spiritual origin and peace.