While still on tour, first in Australia and then the U.S., I had spelled out the idea to Steve.  He liked it and the two of us once began holding sessions by candlelight in our hotel rooms.  By the time we reached Svannah, Georgia, things had come together very clearly.  There, during one six-hour session, which carried on until 7 a.m., we worked out the vocal, lyrical and instrumental foundation for the four movements.  It was a magical experience which left both of us exhilarated for days.  Chris, Rick and Alan amde very important contributions of their own as the work evolved during the five months it took to arrange, rehearse and record.

1st Movement: Shrutis.  The Revealing Science of God can be seen as an ever-opening flow in which simple thruths emerge examining the complexities and magic of the past and how we shoiuld not forget the song that has been left for us to hear.  The knowledge of God is a search, constant and clear.

2nd Movement: Suritis. The Remembering.  All our thoughts, impressions, knowledge, fears, have been developing for millions of years. What we can relate to is our own past, our own life, our own history. Here, it is especially Rick's keyboards which bring alive the ebb and flow and depth of our mind's eye; the topographic ocean. Hopefully we should appreciate that given points in time are not so significant as the nature of what is impressed on the mind, and how it is retained and used.

3rd Movement: Puranas. The Ancient probes still further into the past beyound the point of remembering. Here Steve's guitar is pivotal in sharpening reflection on the beauties and treasures of lots  civilisations, Indian, Chinese, Central American, Atlantean. These and other people left an immense treasure of knowledge.

4th Movement: Tantras. The Ritual. Seven notes of freedom to learn and to know the ritual of life. Life is a fight between sources of evil and pure love. Alan and Chris present and relay the struggle out of which comes a positive source. Nous sommes du soleil. We are of the sun. We can see.

Jon Anderson Steve Howe Chris Squire Rick Wakeman Alan White

Produced by Yes and Eddie Offord
Recorded at Morgan Studio London during late summer and early autumn 1973.
Tapes Guy Bidmead
Cover design and illustration by Roger Dean
Plates made by Mansell Litho
Co-ordination Brian Lane
Thanks to all at Morgan and Fragile Artists Management
Published by Yessongs Ltd., ASCAP
Rick Wakeman appears by courtesy of A & M Records Ltd.
All lryics © 1973 by Yessongs Ltd

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