Question about varying Rhiannon lyrics

[SmileAtYou]

I absolutely love Rhiannon and the endless different versions that can be discovered. It never gets old listening to the song build up until the end, to see how Stevie will change the lyrics this time.

During at least these two performances from the Rumours tour, at the end it seems like Stevie is singing about an emerald, but I can't quite understand the lyrics. Can anyone tell what she's saying? And what does it mean?


From about 7:18 - 7:33
Sounds like "golden emerald circle"?




On this video from about 7:10 - 7:18

[nailatixela]

I think it's 'golden, emerald, satin'. I also love all the different Rhiannons!

[gldstwmn]

I believe she is referring to the Three Birds of Rhiannon one emerald green, one golden and what is the rest of that line? White?

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

I believe she is referring to the Three Birds of Rhiannon one emerald green, one golden and what is the rest of that line? White?

In the song, the third bird was snow white -- but I think in the "Rhiannon" ad-libs, she referred to it as satin.

[Liza]

Thank you for posting your question. I have just watched the two versions and it reminded me how fantastic Fleetwood Mac were. They still are, but the harmony between Stevie and Lindsey and Stevie and Christine - wow. Stevie was so raw back then - just wonderful.

[BellaDonna93]

Yeah, in the first video she's saying "Golden Emerald Circle" and the other sounds more like "Go away, golden, go away" I don't know, lol

[Dark Angel]

The first one is definitely "emerald...golden...satin". The second I slowed down, and it sounds very much like "emerald...golden...come away".
Hope this helps.

odd that both Rumours tour videos contain those lyrics from Rhiannon considering most of the time she sang the usual "all the same" lyrics.

[Hawkeye]

First of all, that second video is from the Tusk Tour. I'd need David or someone to tell the exact show, but its the tusk tour for sure. Both are freaking awseome Rhiannons, but do you think Stevie had any idea how earily she looked like she was doing an easter reinactment at the end of the second video, especially wearing that crown of thorns looking hat

[vivfox]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

First of all, that second video is from the Tusk Tour. I'd need David or someone to tell the exact show, but its the tusk tour for sure.

The first video is from Japan in December of 1977 and the second video is from Largo, Maryland in 1978, both concerts are from the Rumours Tour.

[SmileAtYou]

Hey, thanks you guys! I knew ledgies could help me.

"Golden, Emerald, Satin" It makes sense now, that Stevie would reference the three birds of Rhiannon in some of her live performances!

Looking back on that first video, it appears that Stevie makes a circle with her hand when she is singing the golden emerald part...
If she is singing "golden emerald circle," it just leads to more questions about the meaning. I wonder if emeralds held some sort of special meaning / power for her.

All this just adds to the mystery of Stevie Nicks...

[vivfox]

I always would sing GOLDEN--APRIL--SANTA--Rhiannon...