The song is named after Harold Land, an American tenor saxophonist, but the song’s lyrical themes concern the effects of war on a character named Harold.
The title was derived from a band member commenting “I want to write a song about a man called…” and Bill Bruford walked into the room at that ti...
[Verse 1]
Harold Land with a wave of his hand said goodbye to all that
He paid his bills and stopped the milk, then put on his hat
He tried to say his last farewells as quickly as he could
Promising that he would return, but doubted that he would (Doubted that he would)
Doubted that he would (Doubted that he would), doubted
[Verse 2]
Now he's marching soldiers in the rain as on to war they rode
A long thin line of human mind, damnation as their load
In the mud in coldness dark, he'd shiver out his fear
What disappointing sights he'd seen instead of ones so dear (Instead of ones so dear)
Instead of ones so dear (Instead of ones so dear), so dear
Going home, He's going home to the land he loved so well
Going home, He fought for two years, never fell
Going home, He's going home
Going home. He's going home
[Verse 3]
Harold Land with a wave of his hand stood sadly on the stage
Clutching red ribbons from a badge, but he didn't look his age
Only two years had passed between his leaving home and back
He had lost his love and youth while
Leading the attack (Leading the attack)
Leading the attack (Leading the attack)
[Outro]
In conversation it could be said
Well after war your heart is dead
Well it's not hard to understand
There is no heart in Harold Land
Harold Land was written by Bill Bruford & Chris Squire & Jon Anderson.
Yes released Harold Land on Fri Jul 25 1969.