“Into The Mystic” Lyrics & Meaning (Van Morrison)

I’m too young.

(I haven’t been able to say that in a while.)

But Woodstock must have been an incredible experience.

For both the audience and the performers.

It spawned many iconic moments and a lot of creativity, which includes this song.

And the Into The Mystic lyrics meaning reflects the spirit and atmosphere of the Woodstock festival.

Keep reading to find out exactly what Van Morrison was singing about in this beautiful song.

 

Into The Mystic Lyrics And Meaning

Into the Mystic is a song written by Van Morrison that was released in 1970 on his album Moondance. Van Morrison wrote this song during his time at Woodstock Festival, which was a period of heightened creativity.

He spent a lot of time exploring things spiritually and you can hear this reflected in much of his work during that time.

A Rolling Stone review described Into the Mystic as the heart and soul of Moondance, with its classic timing. It holds number 474 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time and was listed as number 42 on The 885 Essential XPN Songs.

It’s also Morrison’s second most streamed song on Spotify, with Brown Eyed Girl taking the lead. The song has been so popular that it even came back into the charts in 2022 and reached number one on the Ireland radio airplay chart.

The song has also been featured in several movies, including Patch Adams and American Wedding. Being featured in movies has also helped Into the Mystic gain popularity, especially in modern times.

Into the Mystic has also had some notable covers. It has been recorded by many other well-known musicians, including Paul Carrack and Joe Cocker.

 

Into the Mystic Lyrics

 

Verse 1

We were born before the wind
Also younger than the sun
Ere the bonnie boat was won
As we sailed into the mystic

Verse 2

Hark, now hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic

Pre-Chorus

And when that foghorn blows
I will be coming home, mmhmm hmm
And when the foghorn blows
I want to hear it
I don’t have to fear it

Chorus

And I want to rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And magnificently we will float
Into the mystic, mmm

Pre-Chorus

When that foghorn blows
You know I will be coming home, mmm uh
And when that foghorn whistle blows
I gotta hear it
I don’t have to fear it

Chorus

And I wanna rock your gypsy soul
Just like way back in the days of old
And together we will float
Into the mystic, mmm
Come on girl

Too late to stop now

 

Into the Mystic Meaning

Into the Mystic is a poetic journey through life, love, and spiritual fulfillment. The song has both natural and mystical elements to it that create a deep sense of exploration.

This is especially seen in the opening lines to the song, where natural imagery sets the scene of a journey of the soul that’s both literal and metaphorical, with both leading to the unknown.

Morrison reflects this through images of sailing in the song, where the journey of life is filled with discoveries and uncertainties but always with a sense of adventure.

At the heart of the song is the foghorn, which serves as a guiding light throughout life’s uncertainties. It shows guidance, safety and returning to something comforting, whether that’s a person or a place.

The chorus of the song goes, “I wanna rock your gypsy soul, just like way back in the days of old, and magnificently we float into the mystic.” It shows a longing for connection and freedom and a return to a simpler and more magical time. The “gypsy soul” also represents a free and untamed spirit.

Into the Mystic has also been interpreted in other ways. Some believe it’s a reflection on life’s journey and heading into the unknown that comes with death. This emphasizes the spiritual tones of the song and the mystical journey of the soul.

Others see the song as having more of a romantic feel and that the song is a declaration of love and the desire to embark on a spiritual journey, exploring both life and love.

Van Morrison’s own reflections on the song have a broader interpretation and suggest the song is about being a part of the universe and embracing the mystical aspects of existence.

With so many different meanings associated with this song, we can all find our own personal meaning in both the lyrics and melody. The success of the song has already shown the impact it has had on people, especially where it’s been able to transport listeners.

It’s a timeless song that fully reflects the genius of Van Morrison. He was able to draw listeners in and allow them to embark on a journey and travel to the unknown, regardless of whether that was love or life.

 

Into The Mystic Lyrics Meaning: Final Thoughts

The Into The Mystic lyrics meaning is very much connected to the spirit of the Woodstock music festival. Van Morrison wrote it while at the festival. The atmosphere gave him a burst of creativity.

Today, listening to the song can transport you right back to that moment in time, at least for those people who were there. For the rest of us, it conjures up the idea of Woodstock that we have from stories and movies.