A Mystical Rock Anthem—The Enduring Power of “Sign of the Gypsy Queen”
Some songs feel like they carry a legend within them, a sense of mystery woven into their very fabric. “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” is one of those songs. Originally penned by Lorence Hud in 1973 as a folk-tinged ballad, the track had a haunting, almost mythical quality from the start. But it wasn’t until April Wine reimagined it in 1981—turning it into a thunderous hard rock anthem—that it became a staple of classic rock radio and one of the band’s defining songs.
Released as the second single from their platinum-certified album The Nature of the Beast, April Wine’s version of “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” took the mysticism of the original and infused it with raw energy, soaring guitars, and a cinematic intensity that made it unforgettable. The song charted at #40 on the Canadian RPM Hot 100, #57 on the Billboard Hot 100, and #19 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks chart—solidifying its place among April Wine’s greatest hits.
But this wasn’t just another hard rock song—it was a warning, a prophecy, a story wrapped in an apocalyptic sense of urgency. From the brooding, ominous intro to the hard-hitting power chords that follow, the song builds an atmosphere of tension and inevitability, as if something unstoppable is on the horizon. Myles Goodwyn’s vocals are drenched in urgency, delivering lyrics that speak of an impending storm, of fate, of warnings ignored. The chorus, with its anthemic chant, has an almost shamanistic quality, pulling the listener deeper into the song’s dark prophecy.
Then, of course, comes that guitar solo—ferocious, melodic, and cutting through the track like a bolt of lightning. It’s a defining moment, one that elevates the song beyond a simple cover into something uniquely April Wine’s own. The interplay between the rhythm and lead guitar work, the relentless drum beat, and the almost chant-like background vocals create an atmosphere of drama and foreboding, making it one of the most cinematic songs in April Wine’s catalog.
Unlike many rock hits of the era, “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” doesn’t deal with love, rebellion, or excess—it paints a picture of a world teetering on the edge. Whether taken literally as a tale of mystical warnings ignored or metaphorically as a reflection on societal turmoil, the song lingers in the mind long after it ends.
Though April Wine had many hits over their long career, “Sign of the Gypsy Queen” remains one of their most unique, a song that transcended its original folk roots to become an electrifying rock epic. Over four decades later, it still echoes across classic rock radio, still finds its way onto setlists, and still sends chills down the spine—a true testament to the power of a song that feels like a legend set to music.