the Rull revealed to him / The living soul of Hereward the Wake", a phrase which appears to reference both science fiction writer A. E. van Vogt's 1948 short story "The Rull" (which tells of psychological battle of wits between a human and a hostile alien with hypnotic powers) and a legendary 11th century leader of resistance to the Norman invasion of England who is believed to have roamed The Fens of Cambridgeshire. In the third verse, the "outer lock" of the spacecraft opens to reveal "in flowing robes ... Lucy In The Sky", causing the servicemen to sigh in wonder. The fourth and final verse begins with the question "Did ... you ever know ... / Never, ever will they ascend?" before Lucy In The Sky, toes glowing, summons "his cosmic powers" and lets the "psychic emanations" flow. Release and live A rare US single release (Tower 440) contains edited mono versions of this song and "Remember a Day". The single was also released in Japan. The single did not chart. Pink Floyd performed the song live from 1968–69, often as an encore. The song was played by Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets in 2018 and 2019. Planned B-side This song was planned as a B-side to an edit of one of Pink Floyd's later songs, "Money", for 7 December 1981, but for unknown reasons, the release was cancelled by EMI. Personnel Richard Wright – Farfisa organ, Hammond organ, piano, lead vocals (verse sections), David Gilmour – electric guitars, lead vocals (chorus sections) Roger Waters – bass guitar, whispered vocals (verse sections) Nick Mason – drums, percussion References 1968 songs 1968 singles Pink Floyd songs Songs written by Roger Waters Songs about extraterrestrial life