The Ancients
Yes · Other Songs - Yes
Attuned to the majesty of music
They marched as one with the Earth
Sol, Dhoop
Sun
Ilios
Naytheet
Ah Kin
Saule
Tonatiuh
Qurax
Gunes, Grian
Surie
Ir
Samse
So the flowering creativity of life
Wove its web face to face with the shallow
And their Gods sought out and conquered
Ah Kin
Do the leaves of green stay greener through the autumn
Does the color of the sun turn crimson white
Does a shadow come between us in the winter
Is the movement really light
And I heard a million voices singing
Acting to the story that they had heard about
Does one child know the secret and can say it
Or does it all come out along without you
Along without you, along without you
Where does reason stop and killing just take over
Does a lamb cry out before we shoot it dead
Are there many more in comfort understanding
Is the movement in the head
And I heard a million voices singing
Acting to the story that they had heard about
Does one child know the secret and can say it
Or does it all come out along without you
Along without you, along without you
The Ancients - Yes
Released in 1973 on the album *Fragile*, "The Ancients" stands as a defining track in the progressive rock canon. Featuring the band's signature interplay between synthesizers and acoustic instrumentation, the song explores themes of ancient wisdom and spiritual connection. Its composition showcases the complex time signatures and melodic structures that would characterize Yes's work throughout the early 1970s. The recording captures the group's evolution from hard rock to a more intricate, studio-focused sound, blending orchestral arrangements with their characteristic vocal harmonies. As a staple of their discography, the track remains a testament to the band's ability to weave narrative-driven music with technical proficiency, influencing countless artists who followed in the realm of progressive rock.