Jethro Tull “Minstrel in the Gallery” released on this date, September 5th, 1975. Besides being its anniversary date, today seemed a good day to spin some Jethro Tull; I’m just back a folk art school in Door County where I spent the week learning folk craft, staying in a moss-roofed cottage and meandering through forest paths which at night were lit in such a way that I expected gnomes, elves and faeries to flit past at any given moment. The public restroom resembled a hobbit house.

My moss-roofed cottage.

Magically lit paths.

The album’s title, Minstrel in the Gallery, according to Wiki “refers to the use of a minstrel’s gallery in the great hall of castles or manor houses. This analogy was used thematically in the opening spoken words of the title track, “Cold Wind to Valhalla” and “Baker Street Muse” and also in the songs lyrics.” While not quite a manor house or castle, we also had a great hall of sorts that I think Jethro Tull would have felt quite at home playing their hard prog-rock archaic British folk music blend.

Minstrel in the Gallery reached #7 on the US charts and #20 in the UK. Organ, strings and (of course) flute abound, long complicated guitar solos and epic tracks (“Baker Street Muse” clocking in around 17 minutes), and while not as traditionally Brit-folk as their ‘77 Songs From the Wood would be, the same impulses are present, especially the Norse heavy “Cold Wind to Valhalla.”

And ride with us young bonny lass
With the angels of the night.
Crack wind clatter flesh rein bite
On an out-size unicorn.
Rough-shod winging sky blue flight
On a cold wind to Valhalla.
And join with us please
Valkyrie maidens cry
Above the cold wind to Valhalla.
Breakfast with the gods. Night angels serve
With ice-bound majesty.

Frozen flaking fish raw nerve
In a cup of silver liquid fire.
Moon jet brave beam split ceiling swerve
And light the old Valhalla.
Come join with us please
Valkyrie maidens cry
Above the cold wind to Valhalla.
The heroes rest upon the sighs
Of Thor’s trusty hand maidens.
Midnight lonely whisper cries,
“We’re getting a bit short on heroes lately.
Sword snap fright white pale goodbyes
In the desolation of Valhalla.
And join with us please
Valkyrie maidens ride
Empty-handed on the cold wind to Valhalla.