This week’s Song Lyric Sunday theme kicks off an interesting three-week sequence. Next week we need to find the final song ever played, and on the following Sunday, something from a live album. This week, however, the task is to feature a song from a final album.
In 2007, the mighty Led Zeppelin (with the late John Bonham replaced by his son Jason on drums) reunited for a one-off performance at a tribute concert for Ahmet Ertegun, which was held at the O2 Arena in London. The show was recorded (obviously) and a film was released as well as an album, both entitled ‘Celebration Day’. This, apart from various compilations and remasters, was the band’s final official release. And this impeccable version of ‘Kashmir’ was, for me, the standout…
Oh, let the sun beat down upon my face
With stars to fill my dreams
I am a traveler of both time and space
To be where I have been
Sit with elders of the gentle race
This world has seldom seen
Talk of days for which they sit and wait
All will be revealed
Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace
Whose sounds caress my ear
But not a word I heard could I relate
The story was quite clear
Ooh, baby, I been flying
No yeah, mama, there ain’t no denying
Oh, ooh, yeah I’ve been flying
Mama, mama, ain’t no denying, no denying
Oh, all I see turns to brown
As the sun burns the ground
And my eyes fill with sand
As I scan this wasted land
Trying to find, trying to find, where I’ve been
Oh, pilot of the storm who leaves no trace
Like thoughts inside a dream
Here is the path that led me to that place
Yellow desert stream
My Shangri-La beneath the summer moon
I will return again
Sure as the dust that floats high in June
When moving through Kashmir
Oh, father of the four winds, fill my sails
Across the sea of years
With no provision but an open face
Along the straits of fear
Oh, oh
Oh, oh
Oh, when I’m on, when I’m on my way, yeah
When I see, when I see the way, you stay-yeah
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, when I’m down
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, but I’m down, so down
Ooh, my baby, ooh, my baby, let me take you there
Oh come on, oh, let me take you there… let me take you there
Ooh, yeah-yeah, ooh, yeah-yeah, let me take you there… let me take you there
Written by John Bonham, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant
the only deadhead in the hameau 
A good choice for the theme. Always liked this one 👍
Not only a classic, but a staple from my youth I was interested in watching this video because I had never seen Zeppelin perform in their later life- their talents held up well.
A great choice as I love the amazing music and the trippy lyrics.
Yes, a truly great song to end on ‘Physical Graffiti’, their last Led Zeppelin Studio album. It often tops the list as the greatest heavy rock album ever.
Oh ya, the best! Enjoyed this live version. It would’ve been awesome to witness.