A Spaceman Came Travelling
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| “A Spaceman Came Travelling” | ||
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| Single by Chris de Burgh from the album Spanish Train and Other Stories |
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| Released | 1976 | |
| Genre | Rock | |
| Label | A&M Records | |
"A Spaceman Came Travelling" is a song by Chris de Burgh released on the album Spanish Train and Other Stories in 1975 (See 1975 in music). It has been released numerous times as a single in the UK, first in 1976, then 1981, 1984 and 1986. The 1986 release which was a double A-side with the song "The Ballroom of Romance" reached #40 on the UK singles chart. It was also released as a single in Holland in 1985. Since being considered a Christmas song it has appeared on many festive compilation albums.
[edit] Narrative
The song is a narrative of a UFO religion tale. It is a retelling of how the angel Gabriel came to give a message to the shepherds, but with a spaceship and a spaceman instead.
De Burgh seems to make a prophecy of the Second Coming in this song:
"The stranger returned and said 'now I must fly. When two thousand years of your time has gone by. This song will begin once again, to a baby's cry..."
Clearly, in the lyrics above is implied that the Christ will be reborn in the year 2000[citation needed].
[edit] Cover versions
Polish singer Mandaryna released her version of the song on her Mandaryna.com2me album and as a Christmas radio single. Gregorian released a cover of the song on their Christmas Chants album in 2006.
