Benedictus (Strawbs song)

After the departure of Rick Wakeman, band leader Dave Cousins consulted the I Ching asking what to do next. The answer from the coins, "Humble must he constant be, where the paths of wisdom lead, distant is the shadow of the setting sun", forms part of the first two lines of the lyrics of the song.

Unusually for a rock song, the instrumental break is performed using a dulcimer played through a fuzz box. The resulting sound is often mistaken for an electric guitar.

B-side

The B-side is a John Ford composition "Keep the Devil Outside", sung by Tony Hooper. The track was recorded at the same time as the album From the Witchwood and was originally released as the B-side of the single "Witchwood". This single was quickly withdrawn due to the band's dissatisfaction with the quality of the pressing.

Other recordings

The song also makes an appearance on the 2001 Acoustic Strawbs album Baroque & Roll.

Personnel

Dave Cousins – lead vocals, electric dulcimer
Tony Hooper – backing vocals, acoustic guitar
John Ford – backing vocals, bass guitar
Richard Hudson – backing vocals, drums
Blue Weaver – organ, piano, mellotron

with

Trevor Lucas – backing vocals
Anne Collins – backing vocals

Release history

Region	Date	Label	Format	Catalog
United Kingdom	1971 (1971)	A&M	stereo 7" single	AMS 874
United States		A&M	7" single	AMS1364

References

Benedictus on Strawbsweb
Sleeve notes CD 540 934-2 "Grave New World"

External links

Strawbs

Dave Cousins Dave Lambert Chas Cronk Rod Coombes Oliver Wakeman Tony Hooper Ron Chesterman Rick Wakeman Blue Weaver John Hawken Richard Hudson John Ford Brian Willoughby Tony Fernandez Andy Richards

Albums	All Our Own Work (with Sandy Denny) Strawbs Strawberry Sampler Number 1 Dragonfly From the Witchwood Grave New World Bursting at the Seams Hero and Heroine Ghosts Nomadness Deep Cuts Burning for You Deadlines Don't Say Goodbye Heartbreak Hill Ringing Down the Years Blue Angel Déjà Fou The Broken Hearted Bride Dancing to the Devil's Beat

Live albums	Just a Collection of Antiques and Curios Strawbs in Concert Greatest Hits Live Concert Classics The Complete Strawbs (Chiswick '98 Live) Live at Nearfest Recollection Strawbs:NY '75 Lay Down with the Strawbs

Compilation albums	Strawbs by Choice The Best of Strawbs Preserves Uncanned A Choice Selection of Strawbs Halcyon Days Sandy Denny and the Strawbs The Collection Tears and Pavan 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Strawbs

Box sets	A Taste of Strawbs

DVDs	Acoustic Strawbs Live in Toronto Strawbs Live in Tokyo DVD, plus Grave New World, the movie The Complete Strawbs: The Chiswick House Concert

Acoustic Strawbs albums	Baroque & Roll Full Bloom Painted Sky

Singles (UK)	"Oh How She Changed" "The Man Who Called Himself Jesus" "Forever" "Benedictus" "Here It Comes" "Lay Down" "Part of the Union" "Shine on Silver Sun" "Hero and Heroine" "Hold on to Me (The Winter Long)" "Grace Darling" "Lemon Pie" "I Only Want My Love to Grow in You" "Charmer" "Back in the Old Routine" "Keep on Trying" "Heartbreaker" "Joey and Me" "New Beginnings" "I Don't Want to Talk About It" "The King" "Alice's Song"

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