"A Whiter shade of pale" by Procol Harum

Question

Hi guys,can you please help me with the translation of this, very famous but very hard on english, song? I gave it a shot, but there are a few moments, where I'm not sure....Okay here it is... We skipped the light fandango. (fandango is spanish dance)Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor (? Please what's the meaning of the word "cartwheel" here? My guess is that they did a few flips across the floor, because next sentence says that he felt kinda seasick.) I was feeling kinda seasick. But the crowd called out for more. The room was humming harder. As the ceiling flew away When we called out for another drink. The waiter brought a tray (? Brought a three drinks ?? I read that a tray is a slang for three). And so it was that later. As the miller told his tale. That her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale. She said, 'There is no reason and the truth is plain to see.'  (??? "Plain to see"? Obvious? ) But I wandered through my playing cards (??? I was playing with my cards without any purpose???) and would not let her be (??? I couldn't let her out of my head???) One of sixteen vestal virgins. Who were leaving for the coast. (???Who were moving in to the coast???) . And although my eyes were open. They might have just as well've been closed....Thank you guys in advance for your help!! Best RegardsJCD

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Hi , JCD.

JCDentonHi guys,
can you please help me with the translation of this, very famous but very hard on english, song? I gave it a shot, but there are a few moments, where I'm not sure....Okay here it is...

We skipped the light fandango. (fandango is spanish dance)
Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor (? Please what's the meaning of the word "cartwheel" here? My guess is that they did a few flips across the floor, because next sentence says that he felt kinda seasick.) I agree with you.

I was feeling kinda seasick.
But the crowd called out for more.
The room was humming harder.
As the ceiling flew away
When we called out for another drink.
The waiter brought a tray (? Brought a three drinks ?? I read that a tray is a slang for three). It might be just a tray (salver), I think you know what it is. Just a flat board is used by waiters to serve the tables
And so it was that later.
As the miller told his tale.
That her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale.
She said, 'There is no reason and the truth is plain to see.' (??? "Plain to see"? Obvious? ) Yes.Like "a plain point of view"

But I wandered through my playing cards (??? I was playing with my cards without any purpose???) Yes. "I was wandering /strolling/sauntering through crowd, drinking fresh juice". (aimlessly)

and would not let her be (??? I couldn't let her out of my head???)

One of sixteen vestal virgins. I guess he wouldn't give her a chance and not allow her to be one of sixteem vestal virgins. May be he was going to hae a *** with her or something like that.

Who were leaving for the coast. (???Who were moving in to the coast???) . Exactly.
And although my eyes were open.
They might have just as well've been closed....

Thank you guys in advance for your help!!
Best Regards
JCD

Rafaelinrio · Answer

We skipped the light fandango. (fandango is spanish dance)

Turned cartwheels 'cross the floor (? Please what's the meaning of the word "cartwheel" here? My guess is that they did a few flips across the floor, because next sentence says that he felt kinda seasick.) That's exactly that.

I was feeling kinda seasick.

But the crowd called out for more.

The room was humming harder.

As the ceiling flew away

When we called out for another drink.

The waiter brought a tray (? Brought a three drinks ?? I read that a tray is a slang for three). A tray is a piece made of metal or wood on which food and drinks are served.

And so it was that later.

As the miller told his tale.

That her face, at first just ghostly, turned a whiter shade of pale.

She said, 'There is no reason and the truth is plain to see.' (??? "Plain to see"? Obvious? ) thats it, the truth is easy to see.

But I wandered through my playing cards (??? I was playing with my cards without any purpose???)

and would not let her be (??? I couldn't let her out of my head???)

One of sixteen vestal virgins.

Who were leaving for the coast. (???Who were moving in to the coast???) .

And although my eyes were open.

They might have just as well've been closed....

Thank you guys in advance for your help!!

Best Regards

JCD

Avangi · Answer

I don't know half of this stuff, JC, but I'll do what I can.

A cartwheel is a favorite cheerleader manouver, but unlike flips, they're performed to the side, with the body relatively rigid, in a star shape.

In show biz, the coast refers to the L.A. / Hollywood scene. Makes me think of the line from Bye, Bye Miss American Pie, or whatever - And the three men I admired most, The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, they caught the last train to the coast, the day the music died. (Maybe it's the place to go when all else fails)

Plain to see = "obvious" right Playing cards - right Let her be - right

I think "three" is spelled "Trey," and is used only in gaming, i.e. a three-spot (card or die or domino) I think the line in the song means "a tray of drinks"

Skipped the light Fandango is what you say, but it's also a common expression I think associated with lightheartedness. I'm not sure of the implication.

Cheers! - A,

Philip · Answer

From Avangi:
A cartwheel is a favorite cheerleader manouver, but unlike flips, they're performed to the side, with the body relatively rigid, in a star shape.

Right, but it might make the image clearer if you realize that it isn't really a flip, but using the extended arms as one travels in a circular motion from standing - handstand - standing either to the right or to the left.

JCDenton · Answer

Guys, thank you for amazing help!!!! [Y][Y]
Have a nice weekend

Best Regards

"A Whiter shade of pale" by Procol Harum

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