The Piper at the Gates of Dawn

I'm sure that for many people that title up there evokes memories of Astronomy Domine, Instersteller Overdrive and Lucifer Sam but it's original appearance was as chapter seven of one of Syd Barrett's favourite novels, 'The Wind in the Willows', the chapter that gave the story its iconic cover illustration of Pan.

Written by Kenneth Graeme - originally as stories to entertain his young son - and first published in 1908, 'The Wind in the Wilows' tells the stories of the anthropomorphised animals of the riverbank such as Mole, Ratty (actually a water vole), Badger, Otter and Mr. Toad.  The book has a overarching narrative but in line with it's origin as stories to entertain a young boy it also includes a number of short stand alone digressions such as the often excised chapter seven. A beautifully pagan piece of writing 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn' tells of Mole and Ratty's search for Otter's missing son Portly who they find nestled between the hooves of the wild god.

This adaptation is taken from the 1969 TV series made by Anglia Television, narrated by Paul Honeyman over John Worsley' stunning illustrations.

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