Queen

Lyrics

[Instrumental intro]

[Verse 1]
In the year of '39 assembled here, the Volunteers
In the days when lands were few
Here the ship sailed out into the blue and sunny morn
Sweetest sight ever seen
And the night followed day, and the storytellers say
That the score brave souls inside
For many a lonely day
Sailed across the milky seas
Never looked back, never feared, never cried

[Chorus]
Don't you hear my call?
Though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you?
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

[Instrumental break]

[Verse 2]
In the year of '39
Came a ship in from the blue
The Volunteers came home that day, and they bring good news
Of a world so newly born
Though their hearts so heavily weight
For the Earth is old and grey
Little darling, we'll away but my love this cannot be
For so many years are gone
Though I'm older but a year
Your mother's eyes from your eyes cry to me
[Chorus]
Don't you hear my call?
Though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you?
Write your letters in the sand
For the day I take your hand
In the land that our grandchildren knew

[Outro]
Don't you hear my call?
Though you're many years away
Don't you hear me calling you?
All your letters in the sand
Cannot heal me like your hand
For my life still ahead, pity me

Are you one of those who enjoy songs with an interesting scientific twist? Then, look no further than '39 by Queen. The song was written by Brian May, a man of many talents. Apart from being an excellent guitarist and founding member of the iconic rock band Queen, he has a BSc in Physics from Imperial College and a Ph.D. in astrophysics from the same institution. This unique combination of skills is evident in the fascinating storyline of the song.

About '39

'39 is a song that transports listeners through time and space to a world far away from our own. The song's storyline revolves around a group of pioneers who venture into space in search of another planet to colonize. After traveling for what seems like a year to the pioneers, upon their return, they realize that time dilation, a phenomenon caused by special relativity, has caused time to move slower for them than it has on Earth. Consequently, one year on the ship is equivalent to several decades on Earth.

The pioneers come back to Earth to find that everything has changed from what they knew before. They are greeted with strange, unfamiliar faces, and the world they left behind has become a thing of the past. May uses this thrilling futuristic story to explore universal themes like lost love, loneliness, and the challenges of adapting to new environments. The story May narrates is reminiscent of old-time explorers on a new journey to a new land.

The song itself has a distinctive sound. It starts with a gentle and slow acoustic guitar, which is how one would imagine a gentle space journey beginning. The melody is soothing and peaceful yet has a subtle hint of nostalgia. The mood changes as the song progresses, with the addition of background vocals and the electric guitar, which gives the song a more upbeat and lively feel.

The lyrics skillfully complement the music, with their poetic style and powerful imagery. The opening line, "In the year of '39, assembled here the volunteers," immediately captures the listener's attention and creates a sense of anticipation for the journey that lies ahead.

The song then delves deeper into the storyline, describing the pioneers' journey in space, where they encountered new galaxies, stars, and planets that ultimately lead to their discovery of a new world. The chorus, which is sung with a harmonious blend of May, Freddie Mercury, and Roger Taylor's voices, adds to the song's poignancy. The lyrics read, "Don't you hear my call, Though you're many years away, Don't you hear me calling you, Write your letters in the sand." These lyrics allude to the lost love theme in the song, hinting at the pioneers' longing to communicate with their loved ones back home.

The final part of the song brings the story to its inevitable end. The pioneers realize that they can never go back to the world they left behind, and they are left with no choice but to accept their fate and embrace the world that they have found. The song ends with a heartfelt and poignant message, "All your letters in the sand cannot heal me like your hand." It highlights the importance of love and human connections in a world full of the unknown.

In summary, '39 is a masterpiece that showcases Queen's and Brian May's unparalleled music talent and storytelling ability. May ingeniously weaves science and poetry to create a timeless classic that transcends time and generations, making it a song that will continue to inspire for years to come.

• Release Date: November 21, 1975
• Artist: Queen