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Song: Celebration Day
Album: Led Zeppelin III [released Oct 5, 1970 (US) | Oct 23, 1970 (UK)]
Single: N/A
Credited to: Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant
Related Songs: N/A


Lyrics:

Her face is cracked from smilin', all the fears that she's been hidin'
And it seems that pretty soon everybody's gonna know

And her voice is sore from shouting, cheering winners who are losing
And she wonders if their days are few, and soon they'll have to go

My, my, my, I'm so happy, I'm gonna join the band
We're gonna dance and sing in celebration, we're in the promised land

She hears them talk of new ways, to protect the home she lives in
Then she wonders what it's all about, when they break down the door

Her name is Brown or White or Black, you know her very well
You hear her cries of mercy, as the winners toll the bell

My, my, my, I'm so happy, I'm gonna join the band
We're gonna sing and dance in celebration, we're in the promised land

There is a train that leaves the station, headed for your destination
But the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more, yes, it has

And if you walk you're gonna get there, although it takes just a little longer
And when you see it in the distance, you will wring your hands and moan


Personal notes: Without paying too much attention to this song, the most notable aspects are the title 'Celebration Day' and the chorus 'my, my, my, I'm so happy, I'm gonna join the band, we're gonna dance and sing in celebration, we're in the promised land.' However, upon closer examination, the lyrics are actually kind of frightening ('her face is cracked with smiling', 'her voice is sore from shouting', 'when they break down the door', 'you hear her cries of mercy', 'the price you pay to nowhere has increased a dollar more', 'you will wring your hands and moan', etc.). It's a cool song, and I especially like the opening lyric, 'her face is cracked from smiling, all the fears that she's been hiding.' I know what it's like to hide your fears with a smile, and I know how it feels when your face begins to crack from smiling.


Influences: None found.