Story Behind The Song

Daedalus built the labyrinth for King Minos, but he lost favor with the king. Imprisoned in a tower he decided to escape by making wings from the feathers dropped by birds that visited the tower, candle wax and thread from their clothes. He and his son Icarus flew from the tower. Daedalus warned Icarus not to get carried away but his son did not heed his warning and flew too near the sun.

Song Description

Based on the Greek myth of Daedalus and Icarus. The song is in the voice of the father of Icarus warning his son. The moral of the song is clear enough.

Lyrics

ICARUS

So flee the fretful hour,
Escape the prison tower;
Take to the sky's free power.

Don't rise up ever higher,
Don't soar to kingdom come;
Don't fly too near the fire,
Don't sail too near the sun;
Icarus, Icarus

We cross the lashing sea,
We ride the winds so free,
Escaping joyfully.

Don't push beyond your part,
Don't force your rising flight;
Don't seek the sun's bright heart,
Don't reach beyond your right;
Icarus, Icarus

The sun is warm on wings,
On wings of wax and strings;
Pay heed unto these things,

Don't try to touch the sun,
Don't go beyond your need;
Don't tease the shining one,
Don't grasp with boundless greed;
Icarus, Icarus

Drunk on the fresh, free air,
All filled with joy he'd dare
To taunt the sun up there.

Don't press beyond your power,
Don't try to steal the light;
You can't pick heaven's flower,
You can't have endless sight;
Icarus, Icarus

The wings melt in the glow,
And down and down he goes,
Drowns in the sea below.

Don't puff up with false pride,
Don't boast you are the best;
Don't take greed as your guide,
Don't put it to the test;
Icarus, Icarus

So heed the story's call,
You just can't have it all,
Or else you're bound to fall.

Don't rise up ever higher,
Don't soar to kingdom come;
Don't fly too near the fire,
Don't sail too near the sun.