A Whiter Shade of Pale

[Rox]

So I am going through my song list, compiling a group of songs that mean something to me. You know, when you hear that song or this it sparks a certain memory and takes you back.

I come across Whiter Shade of Pale and the memory that hits (well one of them) was... what the f is this song about, anyway?? We spent many hours discussing the lyrics of this song (I am all about understanding and getting into the lyrics of poems and music). None of us ever came to a solid conclusion. I would especially like to know what >>

And would not let her be
One of sixteen vestal virgins
Who were leaving for the coast

meant.



anyone?

[fluff]

I have no idea what it means.

Love the song though

[cali]

Sixteen is defined as 1. Being 1 more than 15, 2. ten plus six//the cardinal number representing this (16, XVI)

Vestel is defined as Roman Mythology: Of or relating to Vesta. Relating to or characteristic of the vestal virgins. Chaste; pure. Roman Mythology A vestal virgin. A woman who is a virgin.
A nun.

Virgin is defined as: A person who has not experienced sexual intercourse. A chaste or unmarried woman; a maiden. An unmarried woman who has taken religious vows of chastity.

So, uh... it's talking about 1 more than 15 nuns related to Vesta, who were going to California, and stopping her from going.

So glad I could help

[brenna]

cali, you're too funny.

[oneTVslave]

Sixteen is defined as 1. Being 1 more than 15, 2. ten plus six//the cardinal number representing this (16, XVI)

But what about four more than twelve? Or twice eight?

[LoneStarSpur]

I love that song. It reminds me of some sci-fi book I read as a kid where someone was running away from a circus on some planet somewhere.

I have no idea why.

-Randy

[Unklescott]

Main Entry: vestal virgin
Function: noun
Date: 1600
1 : a virgin consecrated to the Roman goddess Vesta and to the service of watching the sacred fire perpetually kept burning on her altar
2 : a chaste woman

Taken from Lyrics World http://ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/html...dex/index.html

A WHITER SHADE OF PALE
Procol Harum
(Keith Reid/Gary Brooker)
as recorded by Procol Harum

We skipped the light Fandango
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor
I was feeling kind of 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

------ organ solo ------

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 just as well've been closed

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

And so it was.... (fade)

------------------------------------------------------------------

Apparently there is an unpublished second verse that never made it
onto the record because the record company thought the song was
already too long. I've heard they included this verse in concerts.

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 straight 'way died

IMO, it sounds like he meets this woman at a dance and she loses her virginity to him that night.

[cali]

why is it that even at 36, reading something like "Organ Solo" makes me giggle?
What a dork.

[Unklescott]

why is it that even at 36, reading something like "Organ Solo" makes me giggle?
What a dork.

I'm 53 and I won't even begin to tell you the things that make me smile.

[Miss Filangi]

You two.

I have nothing insightful to add other than I love Annie Lennox's version.