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I've Seen All Good People, YES

The lyrics of "I've Seen All Good People" by Yes are complex and rich in metaphor, blending themes of chess, personal growth, and social commentary.

1. **Chess Imagery**: The song heavily references the game of chess. Phrases like "Take a straight and stronger course to the corner of your life," "Make the white queen run so fast she hasn't got time to make you a wife," and "Move me on to any black square" use chess as a metaphor. Chess is often seen as a game of strategy, patience, and intelligence, and here it seems to symbolize life's complexities and the need for strategic decision-making.

2. **Personal Growth**: The lyrics "Don't surround yourself with yourself, Move on back two squares" suggest introspection and the importance of self-awareness. It's a call to step back, reevaluate one's life and actions, and not get trapped in an ego-centric view.

3. **Time and Change**: Repeated lines like "'Cause it's time, it's time in time with your time" emphasize the significance of being in harmony with one's era and adapting to changes. The song reflects on the necessity of moving forward with the times.

4. **Social Commentary**: The chorus, "I've seen all good people turn their heads each day So satisfied I'm on my way," could be interpreted as a comment on societal complacency. It might be critiquing how people often ignore the larger issues in the world, focusing only on their personal satisfaction.

5. **Peace and Harmony**: The lines "Diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit diddit didda (All we are saying is give peace a chance)" allude to John Lennon's famous peace anthem. This brings a message of peace and harmony into the song, aligning with the era's (the 1970s) wider peace movement.

6. **Karma and Action**: The reference to "Send an instant karma to me" invokes the concept of karma — the idea that actions have consequences. This could be a reminder of the interconnectedness of actions and their effects on oneself and others.

Overall, "I've Seen All Good People" is a thought-provoking song that intertwines themes of personal growth, social awareness, and the philosophical undertones of life akin to a game of chess. It reflects the era's cultural and social ethos, encouraging listeners to think deeply about their place in the world and their actions.