The Piper At The Gates Of Dawn

Der Titel des Albums kommt vom Titel des siebten Kapitels aus Kenneth Graham's "Wind in the Willows", in welchem Ratty und Molly sich dazu entschliessen ein verlorenen Tier zu suchen und sie es hat gewisse Ähnlichkeit mit einer religiösen Erfahrung als sie dem Dem Pfeifer an den Toren des Morgengrauens (piper at the gates of dawn) begegnen.

Der Titel zu Syd Barrett-Tributalbum "Beyond the Wildwood" stammt auch von einem Titel eines Kapitels dieses Buches.

Das tintenfleckartige Bild auf der Rückseite stammt von Syd Barrett, es basiert auf Fotrografien der hintereinander stehenden Bandmitglieder. (Die Fotos sind in Miles "Visual Documentary" zu sehen).

"Variationen in der Reihenfolge der Lieder"

Auf der japanischen Pressung ist am Ende der B-Seite zusätzlich noch "See Emily Play" zu hören.

Die amerikanische Pressung unterscheidet sich auch von der Englischen. Hier die Songlisten beider:

US Pressung von 'Piper at the Gates of Dawn' 

   - See Emily Play
   - pow r. toc h.
   - Take up thy stethoscope and walk
   - lucifer sam
   - matilda mother
   - the scarecrow
   - the gnome
   - chapter 24
   - interstellar overdrive

Englische Pressung: 

   - astronomy domine
   - lucifer sam
   - matilda mother
   - flaming
   - pow r. toc h.
   - take up thy stethoscope and walk
   - interstellar overdrive
   - the gnome
   - chapter 24
   - scarecrow
   - bike

Die amerkanische Pressung des Doppelalbums "A Nice Pair" (=Pipers & Saucerful) enthält beinahe die komplette Englische Pressung der Pipers, bis auf die Tatsache, dass die Original Studioaufnahme von "Astronomy Domine" durch die Liverversion von Ummagumma ersetzt worden ist.

"Variationen im Artwork"

Some with paisley stripes, others with rainbow stripes.

Die italienischen Pressung zeigt ein Bild der Band zusammen mit David Gilmour.

Auf der 1983 erschienenen Low-budget Reissue stand "Fame" über einer Ecke geschrieben. (Fame war ein Teil von Harvest)

Was wird zu Beginn von Astronomy Domine gesagt

Es ist Peter Jenner (Manager der Floyd) der durch ein Megaphon etwas ruft, das klingt wie ein Horoskop oder ähnliches. Was genau gesagt wird ist sehr schwer zu erhören, aber hier ist, was Mark Brown und Matt Denault herausgefunden haben: 
   "Moon in both [houses]..."
   "...Scorpio, [Arabian Skies], Libra..."
   "...Pluto was not discovered until 1930..."

Und dann etwas, dass wie ein Countdown vor dem Abflug klingt: 

   "...[two/ten] seconds to [ignition]..."
   "...all systems satisfied..."
Und dann, im Mittelteil des Liedes ist etwas zu hören, das klingt wie: 
   "...just completed orbital..."
Falls irgendwer einere genauere Beschreibung hat, würden wir uns freuen, davon zu hören.

"How do you pronounce 'Domine?'"

The question here is whether it should be ``dom-in-ee'' (to rhyme with ``astronomy'') or the Latin ``doh-mi-nay'' (meaning to rule, or have dominion over).

The basic answer is that there is evidence for both pronunciations. I have RoIOs where band members announce it as ``doh-mi-nay,'' and I've heard interviews where they pronounce it ``dom-in-ee.'' At one early Free School performance, it was listed on the concert announcement as ``Astronomy Domini'' -- yet Syd's song sheet for same the night's performance had it as the usual ``Domine.'' So I guess just go on pronouncing it as you have been...

However I remember an TDB era interview where Nick Mason corrects the interviewer by stating that it is the Latin variation (i.e. Domine')

What does "Pow R Toc H" refer to ?

Well, most people seem to feel it means ``Power Toke'' or ``Power Tokage'' or something along those lines. Another suggestion is ``Power Touch,'' but the problem with that is that the space is between the C and H, not between O and C.

The power tokage makes the most sense, tokage being a reference to Toking (the act of smoking another one, a reefer). The band stated in an early interview that Pow R Toc H is pronounced just as it is written (i.e. pow are toc ache) say this a few times fast, and you get power tokage.

The song itself was inspired by an incident that happened after an early gig. While the band was unplugging and packing, a drunk/stoned person ambled on stage, walked to the nearest microphone and started making noises: ``Ka-choom pa pa, ka-choom pa pa...''

Here's something that might shed some light, courtesy of Steve South and the Longman's Encyclopedia: 

    Toc H, an interdenominational Christian fellowship of men and women
    of every social background, with branches throughout the world,
    which seeks to promote an understanding of the meaning and purpose
    of life through unreserved involvement in the community. Founded
    in 1915, it started its work in a soldiers' club at Talbot House
    (Toc H was the army signalers' designation of the initials TH) at
    Poperingtie, Flanders. Incorporated by royal charter in 1922, it
    is organized in groups and maintains residential houses called
    'marks'.

Which may have influenced the spelling of the title, but then again, may have not. In the early years interviewers were more concerned with asking where the band got their name from, and didn't ask the questions we'd like to see answered, and nowadays the Floyds themselves hardly care about this period either.

What is chapter 24 about ?

[From a very old posting by me(Gerhard):]

Well, since we've been discussing this a lot, I have found the answer. As I was going to my local bookstore I found a book called I Ching (the book of changes) in an English translation, and I did look up Chapter 24 and guess what?

It's called ``Fu'' meaning Change/success (like in ``change become success'' and is a very nearly transcript of this song. It contains lines like ``a movement is accomplished in six stages, and the seventh brings return,'' only paraphrased.

Also from the same chapter: ``The 7 is the number of the Young wise, it forms when darkness [.. ==6 ..] is increased by 1.''