 Tea for the Tillerman (1970) [ larger cover art ] |
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Well, I left my happy home
to see what I could find out.
I left my folk and friends
with the aim to clear my mind out.
Well I hit the rowdy road
and many kinds I met there,
many stories told me
of the way to get there, ooh.
So on and on I go,
the seconds tick the time out,
there's so much left to know,
and I'm on the road to findout, ooh.
Well in the end I'll know,
but on the way I wonder
through descending snow,
and through the frost and thunder,
I listen to the wind come howl,
telling me I have to hurry.
I listen to the robin's song
saying not to worry, ooh.
So on and on I go,
the seconds tick the time out,
there's so much left to know,
and I'm on the road to findout, ooh.
Then I found myself alone,
hoping someone would miss me.
Thinking about my home,
and the last woman to kiss me, kiss me.
But some times you have to moan
when nothing seems to suit yer,
but nevertheless you know
you've locked the door towards the future, ooh.
So on and on you go,
the seconds tick the time out.
There's so much left to know,
and I'm on the road to findout, ooh.
Then I found my head one day
when I wasn't even trying,
and here I have to say,
'cause there is no use in lying, lying.
Yes the answer lies within,
so why not take a look now,
kick out the devil's sin,
pick up, pick up a good book now, ooh.
Yes the answer lies within,
so why not take a look now
kick out the devil's sin,
and pick up, pick up a good book now, ooh
| uilekiek | Posted: Mar 26, 2013 - 16:05 sounds is good |
| apd (Toronto, On) | Posted: Dec 22, 2012 - 13:11 my "beef" would be that the royalties for this go to Yusuf Islam, not Cat Stevens. fredriley wrote: There as some pretty bloodthirsty injunctions in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament with all that smiting and killing anyone worshipping "false idols" and whatnot. Should music by Judaists and Christians be banned from the station, do you think? Or do you perhaps think, on reflection, that a religious believer has much the same moral rights as the rest of us stiffs? I loathe all established religions with a fervour bordering on fanatical (NB: that is irony) but I'm happy to listen to music produced by godsquadders, and quite often enjoy it without judging the artist on extreme interpretations of her/his religion. Anyway, yer man produced this album before he got the beard, so what's the beef? |
| Jim_Highfield | Posted: Jul 18, 2012 - 08:41 Excellent song from an excellent album. I won't mention his mental illness. |
| bluecshells | Posted: Jul 18, 2012 - 08:41 Been listening to this since I was about 8 years old....always reminds me of my Mom...she loves this album. Glad she shared it with me. |
| Keef (Confluence of the American River) | Posted: Jul 18, 2012 - 08:37 I was 7 when my dad got this album. Still sounds good! |
| ziakut (Albeit In The Meantime) | Posted: Jun 16, 2012 - 18:54 Brilliant music from a brilliant album. Period. |
| funkyalfonso (Canada) | Posted: May 16, 2012 - 00:19 ferwoman wrote: Bill G. just introduced this song as "by the artist formerly known as Yusuf Islam" and I thought, "am I missing something?" So I went to check it out, and I guess Bill is just having a yank on my chain right now.  It was a really good one. Confused me for about three seconds. |
| Larry_Rosenow (Bend, OR) | Posted: Mar 13, 2012 - 15:04 I have enjoyed this album over the past 40 years indeed his best. |
| ferwoman | Posted: Feb 10, 2012 - 20:50 Bill G. just introduced this song as "by the artist formerly known as Yusuf Islam" and I thought, "am I missing something?" So I went to check it out, and I guess Bill is just having a yank on my chain right now.  |
| GrooVy (Planet Earth, Mainly...) | Posted: Jan 10, 2012 - 01:08 Really? We can't just hear a good song without going into some stupid Religion vs whatever tantrum below? Come on! He said pick up the good book now. My vote is make that your good book of choice. He didn't say what book it has to be! Enough with world religions, making the world 1 crappy place to live. There is nothing about killing people like the posts below, in this song. Breath! This is a good musician. Everyone has crazy thoughts sometimes. It's not like he is a politician killing people. Remember "W?" Besides, last time he tried to fly into America, His plane got turned around. The song title is "On The Road To Find Out" Quick History lesson: Cat Stevens has been given several awards for his work in promoting peace in the world, including the 2003 World Award, the 2004 Man for Peace Award, and the 2007 Mediterranean Prize for Peace. He is working for peace. Where is the flaw with that? What is wrong with letting this artist do just that? This is Cat's old classics and it's good. That is it. =) |
| MiracleDrug (Earth) | Posted: Dec 09, 2011 - 05:37 fredriley wrote: There as some pretty bloodthirsty injunctions in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament with all that smiting and killing anyone worshipping "false idols" and whatnot. Should music by Judaists and Christians be banned from the station, do you think? Or do you perhaps think, on reflection, that a religious believer has much the same moral rights as the rest of us stiffs? I loathe all established religions with a fervour bordering on fanatical (NB: that is irony) but I'm happy to listen to music produced by godsquadders, and quite often enjoy it without judging the artist on extreme interpretations of her/his religion. Anyway, yer man produced this album before he got the beard, so what's the beef? jihad NOW mostly... |
| MiracleDrug (Earth) | Posted: Dec 09, 2011 - 05:36   |
| Aud (lost in lakecity) | Posted: Oct 07, 2011 - 01:35 Beclipsed wrote: I never had a good book,never needed one. I don't wanna (can) justice the life of Cat Stevens,but its exciting to read the comments here. Whatever,great great Movie with a perfect Soundtrack. Haven't seen Harold and Maude in years. But the ending is what I thought of when this song came on.... |
| R7-12 (Abbotsford, BC) | Posted: Oct 07, 2011 - 01:33 From what I've seen and heard, Yusuf Islam is a man of peace - and a great singer/songwriter! |
| Snoopy2 (A Snoopy Lovin' House) | Posted: Sep 05, 2011 - 15:24 I like wild world by Cat Stevens |
| johnjconn (chicago land) | Posted: Sep 05, 2011 - 15:21 sirdroseph wrote: I love me some Cat Stevens, I don't care who he wants to kill! What if it was your brother? |
| sirdroseph (Yes) | Posted: Aug 05, 2011 - 06:02 I love me some Cat Stevens, I don't care who he wants to kill! |
| fredriley (Nottingham, UK) | Posted: Aug 05, 2011 - 05:59 CamLwalk wrote: The artist himself brought politics and theology into the equation when he said "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die." Sorry, but if you want to kill people for writing a book you don't like...you're nobody to me. Please Bill, don't play this guy's music anymore. There as some pretty bloodthirsty injunctions in the Bible, particularly the Old Testament with all that smiting and killing anyone worshipping "false idols" and whatnot. Should music by Judaists and Christians be banned from the station, do you think? Or do you perhaps think, on reflection, that a religious believer has much the same moral rights as the rest of us stiffs? I loathe all established religions with a fervour bordering on fanatical (NB: that is irony) but I'm happy to listen to music produced by godsquadders, and quite often enjoy it without judging the artist on extreme interpretations of her/his religion. Anyway, yer man produced this album before he got the beard, so what's the beef? |
| gigikent | Posted: Aug 05, 2011 - 05:59 That background chorus might as well rate second in annoying-ness after that crazy frog song.. |
| Stranglersfan (Revelstoke, B.C.) | Posted: Jul 04, 2011 - 21:08 Beautiful Music! |
| Raechel | Posted: May 02, 2011 - 16:21 jagdriver wrote: I never need to hear Cat Stevens music again in my lifetime, thanks. fail |
| jagdriver (Just a nod and a wink south of Paradise) | Posted: May 02, 2011 - 16:08 I never need to hear Cat Stevens music again in my lifetime, thanks. |
| Raechel | Posted: May 02, 2011 - 16:08 There is a busker in Kingston Ontario who does an amazing CSteve |
| thewiseking (New York, New York) | Posted: Feb 28, 2011 - 12:53 v. sad to hear his stuff playing on a JP Morgan Chase commercial |
| vicariance (awesome like a billion hot dogs) | Posted: Feb 28, 2011 - 12:52 lmic wrote: Without a doubt one of the best pop albums ever recorded. Maybe if "one of the best" means in the top 50% |
| aelfheld | Posted: Feb 28, 2011 - 12:49 Just watch out for the IEDs on that road. |
| Beclipsed (Pfalz,Germany) | Posted: Jan 28, 2011 - 07:16 I never had a good book,never needed one. I don't wanna (can) justice the life of Cat Stevens,but its exciting to read the comments here. Whatever,great great Movie with a perfect Soundtrack. |
| Mandible | Posted: Jan 28, 2011 - 06:54 Droidac wrote:  |
| jadewahoo | Posted: Dec 27, 2010 - 22:45 philbertr wrote: First and foremost: there IS only ONE GOD. Or fewer. Stevens' religious experiences since have squat to do with what is one incredibly fine album.   |
| On_The_Beach (Vancouver BC, Bud) | Posted: Nov 26, 2010 - 09:03 lmic wrote: Without a doubt one of the best pop albums ever recorded. Agreed. And the remastered version sounds amazing! |
| Cynaera (South of Neanderthal) | Posted: Oct 25, 2010 - 14:07 One of my favorite albums by Cat Stevens. I finally got it on CD. And this just reminded me that it's time to switch out the music in my vehicle's CD player again. Now, where'd I put "Tea For the Tillerman"?! *scratches head in befuddlement* |
| Zeito (Sieur du Lhut) | Posted: Oct 25, 2010 - 14:00 Yusuf, Sufjan. Sufjan, Yusuf. |
| Randomax (Wimberley, TX) | Posted: Oct 25, 2010 - 14:00 df1489 wrote: Say what you will about him, but the music speaks for itself...I Love Cat Stevens and his music... You said it bro (or sis)!!!!!!!Ah......this album reminds me of highschool when I didn't even know just how LONG the road to find out would be!  |
| df1489 (Lake Palestine, Tyler Tx) | Posted: Aug 22, 2010 - 21:07 Say what you will about him, but the music speaks for itself...I Love Cat Stevens and his music... |
| listen_n_sf | Posted: Jul 21, 2010 - 22:10 Happy 62nd Cat! |
| Ag3nt0rang3 (Canada) | Posted: May 19, 2010 - 06:05 philbertr wrote: First and foremost: there IS only ONE GOD. Or less. |
| steeler (Perched on the precipice of the cauldron of truth) | Posted: May 19, 2010 - 06:04 lmic wrote: Without a doubt one of the best pop albums ever recorded. Agreed. Would have been interesting to see where his music would have taken him if not for the long time away from it. |
| lmic (Harmless Little Bunny) | Posted: Apr 17, 2010 - 15:24 Without a doubt one of the best pop albums ever recorded. |
| BerkeleyAlice (Salinas CA) | Posted: Apr 17, 2010 - 12:57 I have to say that I, too, played the grooves right off this album when it came out. I loved it, and can still sing every word of it! However, I'm now creeped out when I hear it because of the political dimension that the artist, himself, brought to his past works. That being said, who are we to censor artists and their art? That there is one slippery, damn slope and I'm not about to start that slide! I draw the line at hate speech and personal attacks, but this song contains none of that. helgigermany wrote: Okay, i did not know. I accept your comment!! |
| Droidac (Blacklight District) | Posted: Apr 17, 2010 - 11:56 |
| HazzeSwede (Vinyl Land) | Posted: Feb 13, 2010 - 07:30  Great song writer. |
| kurtster (Area code 216) | Posted: Feb 13, 2010 - 07:27 I don't give a shit about his politics, good Cat is good Cat. 10 Great frelling album. The whole thing. |
| enidualc (Guyville) | Posted: Feb 13, 2010 - 07:26 do not want. |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 12:07 CamLwalk wrote: The artist himself brought politics and theology into the equation when he said "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die." Sorry, but if you want to kill people for writing a book you don't like...you're nobody to me. Please Bill, don't play this guy's music anymore. Okay, i did not know. I accept your comment!! |
| CamLwalk (Albany NY) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:57 helgigermany wrote: I totally agree! Why must we always go to the political or theological problems? Why cannot just hear a song and say. thats nice , or not!? The artist himself brought politics and theology into the equation when he said "He must be killed. The Qur'an makes it clear - if someone defames the prophet, then he must die." Sorry, but if you want to kill people for writing a book you don't like...you're nobody to me. Please Bill, don't play this guy's music anymore. |
| jeffcourtney | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:51 1970- my first year of High School and this album came out. Played the grooves right off of it. We have all grown older and some of us a little wiser, but this album still speaks to the heart of the young seeker- on the road to find out. Thanks Bill! |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:51 ugly wrote: I'm sorry about how Cat stopped making this kind of sincerely touching and motivating music. This whole album is still one of about five I can't seem to live without. There is a ton of good music out there, and I don't blame him for living his life as he sees fit, but I believe this album will outlive anything else he has ever done.  I totally agree! Why must we always go to the political or theological problems? Why cannot just hear a song and say. thats nice , or not!? |
| helgigermany (Germany) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:47 Those years, i was singing all Cat Stevens Songs. But now...??? Havent heard them since a very long time, and still know the words!! |
| CamLwalk (Albany NY) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:46 I boycott this. Haven't listened to Stevens since he supported the fatwa against Salmon Rushde. I'll turn it back on when the song is over. |
| mcYammer (Beervana) | Posted: Dec 12, 2009 - 11:46 So much left to know, Yusef. |