“The room was humming harder, As the ceiling flew away”

song ~ “A Whiter Shade of Pale” 
artist ~ Procul Harum

We skipped the light fandango
turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kinda seasick
but the crowd called out for more
The room was humming harder
as the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink
the waiter brought a tray

And so it was that later
as the miller told his tale
that her face, at first just ghostly,
turned a whiter shade of pale

She said, 'There is no reason
and the truth is plain to see.'
But I wandered through my playing cards
and would not let her be
one of sixteen vestal virgins
who were leaving for the coast
and although my eyes were open
they might have just as well've been closed

She said, 'I'm home on shore leave,'
though in truth we were at sea
so I took her by the looking glass
and forced her to agree
saying, 'You must be the mermaid
who took Neptune for a ride.'
But she smiled at me so sadly
that my anger straightway died

If music be the food of love
then laughter is its queen
and likewise if behind is in front
then dirt in truth is clean
My mouth by then like cardboard
seemed to slip straight through my head
So we crash-dived straightway quickly
and attacked the ocean bed     _{(Image source)}

Comments 

“A Whiter Shade of Pale”  was released in 1967, which became known as the Summer of Love. It shot to the top of the charts, and became one of the biggest-selling singles in the history of pop music – with more than 10 million copies sold.  

Pop Goes Bach

It hardly sounds like a pop song. With its Bach-style organ, its reflective vocals, and its cryptic phrases, it’s not the type of music you’d expect to make the charts, let alone reach Number 1. In fact, shortly after it was released, one writer told the composer Gary Brooker that he expected that “everyone will have forgotten about it in two weeks.” 

Pop Remains Puzzled

As it turned out, a few people may have forgotten this song, but it’s remembered quite well by over 10 million people around the world. At the same time, there are probably over 10 million people who still have no idea what the enigmatic lyrics are actually about. 

Additional Lyrics, Missing Lyrics

The above lyrics contain a 3rd and 4th verse. The band occasionally included the 3rd when it performed the song live, but rarely played the 4th verse.      _{(Image source)}
Procul Harum – "A Whiter Shade of Pale"     _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
Lyrics by Keith Reid / Gary Brooker, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
References – Wikipedia
References – Independent.co.uk

    A Compilation of My Previous Lyrics Posts 3~30

    This is my entry in the 60-Day Lyrics Challenge.
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