Islands
King Crimson · Islands [1971]
Waves sweep the sand from my island.
My sunsets fade.
Field and glade wait only for rain
Grain after grain love erodes my
High weathered walls which fend off the tide
Cradle the wind
to my island.
Gaunt granite climbs where gulls wheel and glide
Mournfully glide o'er my island.
My dawn bride's veil, damp and pale,
Dissolves in the sun.
Love's web is spun - cats prowl, mice run
Wreathe snatch-hand briars where owls know my eyes
Violet skies
Touch my island,
Touch me.
Beneath the wind turned wave
Infinite peace
Islands join hands
'Neathe heaven's sea.
Dark harbour quays like fingers of stone
Hungrily reach from my island.
Clutch sailor's words - pearls and gourds
Are strewn on my shore.
Equal in love, bound in circles.
Earth, stream and tree return to the sea
Waves sweep sand from my island,
from me.
Islands - King Crimson
Released in 1971 on the album *Islands*, this track stands as a pivotal moment in King Crimson's progressive rock evolution. The recording features the band's signature complex time signatures and intricate guitar work, blending jazz fusion elements with the psychedelic textures characteristic of the early 1970s. While the song is often associated with the band's earlier experimental phase, it showcases a more polished approach to their signature sound, utilizing layered harmonies and driving rhythms that defined the genre's trajectory. The composition remains a staple of the band's discography, reflecting the collaborative spirit of the era and influencing countless subsequent artists in progressive and fusion music. Its enduring appeal lies in its technical mastery and atmospheric depth, capturing the essence of a transformative period in rock history.