Sub-Rosa Subway
"Sub-Rosa Subway" is a song written by the Canadian rock band Klaatu, from their album 3:47 EST, describing the efforts of Alfred Ely Beach to create the Beach Pneumatic Transit, the New [York City Subway]'s precursor. His work is described as secretive. The song peaked at No. 62 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977.
Two minutes and fifty seconds into the song, a long message in Morse code plays in the background. John Woloschuk, in an article in the fan magazine The Morning Sun, finally provided a translation of the code:
"From Alfred, heed thy sharpened ear — A message we do bring — Starship appears upon our sphere — Through London's sky come spring."
The harpsichord sound on the song was created by recording a tack piano with the tape recorder running at half-normal speed.
Charts
Personnel
;Album version- John Woloschuk – lead vocals, backing vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, percussion
- Dee Long – backing vocals, electric guitar, synthesizer, telegraphy
- Terry Draper – drums
- Vern Dorge – chimes
- John Woloschuk – lead vocals, keyboards, bass guitar, maracas, bongos
- Dee Long – electric guitar, synthesizer, telegraphy