Rhymes and Reasons sounds like...
Jimmyzom
like "The Wedding Song" ("There Is Love"). I've heard others comment the same.
LOVE the song, and "I wouldn't change a thing" (so to Johnspeak). But.. just
an observation related to earlier thread:
>Does anyone else notice a startling similarity between "Love Is
>Everywhere" and "Up on Cripple Creek"?
Ladron23
"Rhymes and Reasons" was released in 1969, on John Denver's "Rhymes and Reasons
album. Here is what John wrote about the song.................
"Rhymes and Reasons is, I think, one of the best songs I've ever written. I
wrote the song-----or started it at least-------in the shower one morning. It
comes from a very real and consistent thought that the children and the flowers
are my sisters and my brothers. I do not feel seperate from any aspect or form
of life. I feel part of it, and bound to it, and the way I expressed the
feeling was to use the phrase, "the children and the flowers." There is a
brotherhood there, and a sisterhood. It's funny to me that even before the time
of women's liberation there was a desire to uphold that concept. The song is
basically autobiographical. It's not one of those songs where I've described
someone who has a job to do in the world. I'm describing who that person
is--------the song is about me. I intend to lead people to the mountains; I
intend to lead them back to the earth, back to the spirit. Songs like "Rhymes
and Reasons" are a way of doing that for me."
Words from John taken from the 1981 John Denver Anthology
"The Wedding Song" had it's premire performance in 1971, at Peter Yarrow's
wedding. Noel Paul Stookey, Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote the song. He
created a foundation, called the Public Domain Foundation, to receive and
distribute the royalties from "The Wedding Song" to charity. Since 1971, 1.5
million dollars has been given to various family and children's programs.
From what I have read, John wrote and published his song two years before
Paul's
song was made public.
Just my observation--------there is a lot of neat info on Peter, Paul and
Mary's pages....Lots of history........
Enjoy them both...........
Wendy
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
>"Rhymes and Reasons is, I think, one of the best songs I've ever
written. I
>wrote the song-----or started it at least-------in the shower
one morning.
I wonder how many songs are first started that way.
It
>comes from a very real and consistent thought that the children
and the flowers
>are my sisters and my brothers. I do not feel seperate from any
aspect or form
>of life. I feel part of it, and bound to it, and the way I
expressed the
>feeling was to use the phrase, "the children and the flowers."
There is a
>brotherhood there, and a sisterhood. It's funny to me that even
before the time
>of women's liberation there was a desire to uphold that concept.
He's lost me here. Was John saying that he used the word
"sisterhood" as well as "brotherhood" before it was politically
correct to do so? If so, then that RULES! :) I love you John.
The song is
>basically autobiographical. It's not one of those songs where
I've described
>someone who has a job to do in the world. I'm describing who
that person
>is--------the song is about me. I intend to lead people to the
mountains; I
>intend to lead them back to the earth, back to the spirit. Songs
like "Rhymes
>and Reasons" are a way of doing that for me."
This is precisely why I think that John Denver was eccentric.
The more quotes I read and hear from him, the more I think so.
Normal men don't say things like this. Normal men don't say the
children and flowers are their sisters and brothers and say they
will lead people to the mountains or whereever.
>Words from John taken from the 1981 John Denver Anthology
>
>
>"The Wedding Song" had it's premire performance in 1971, at
Peter Yarrow's
>wedding. Noel Paul Stookey, Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote
the song. He
>created a foundation, called the Public Domain Foundation, to
receive and
>distribute the royalties from "The Wedding Song" to charity.
Since 1971, 1.5
>million dollars has been given to various family and children's
programs.
>
>From what I have read, John wrote and published his song two
years before
>Paul's
>song was made public.
>
>Just my observation--------there is a lot of neat info on Peter,
Paul and
>Mary's pages....Lots of history........
>
>Enjoy them both...........
>
>Wendy
>
>
Must go. Will write more about his later.
Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com.
Up to 100 minutes free!
http://www.keen.com
Ladron23
John Denver
Quoted from the Summer 1988 Windstar
Journal-------
"I thought you might be interested in how I create a song. I wish I could tell
you, but I simply don't know. There are a few things, however, that I would
like to share about the process of creating as I have experienced it.
I think for each of us, there is a way that our mind works. There are
inclinations that we have, there are opportunities that we find to express
ourselves, and there are talents to support that expression. For me, it happens
in music. I hear things musically. I see the things that become phrases that
can turn into the poem which is the foundation for a song. Sometimes, it is
like the song is writing itself. I have really had that experience. Noel Paul
Stookey of Peter, Paul, and Mary was quoted as saying something to the effect
that he did not so much feel like the writer of the song;
rather, he felt like the instrument of that which wanted to be written. Truly,
that has been my experience on many occasions.
I also have had the experience of finding a phrase. When I write a song, it
comes out of my own emotions, my own experiences, my observations, my
perspective, my vision. There is a phrase, generally, that the song begins
with-------something that captures the whole story in a sense, like "Leaving on
a Jet Plane;" or a kind of philosophy in a sense, like"Poems, Prayers, and
Promises;" or, more specifically, like"Calypso."
In any case, I take that phrase and I start to work with it------when I can sit
down with a guitar, when I'm driving, when I'm walking. I put these little
phrases down in my notebook, and carry them with me. Whenever the opportunity
presents itself, I'll sit down and work with them. Over a period of
time--------sometimes many, many months; sometimes ten or 15 minutes-----it all
happens. Again, sometimes it takes a great deal of effort-----and other times,
it is effortless........................
I wonder how often, in the process of our creation, we are not able to
surrender to our creative inclinations and give ourselvs to those feelings. We
get caught up in our left brain-----our intellectual and logical side of the
brain. The other side of the brain, which is creative, is held back by all of
these conditions within which we put ourselves---and when we can finally break
those conditions down and open up that creative side, there is a flood that
comes through.
To recognize that life in every aspect is a creation process, we cannot help
but create ourselves as we continue to unfold as human beings. One footstep
does not necessarily mean that another must follow. One action does not
necesarily mean that another specified actions is bound to follow. To the
degree that we succumb to the notion that a single step in a specific direction
dictates the following step and every subsequent step, we mechanize ourselves,
our lives, and our universe."
Quoting from Bob Samples--------
Muse Awakened
Creativity is a song written by the universe. It is imbedded firmly inside of
all that we are. We are designed to create. Life itself is the most profound
expression of our creative mandate.
Many people have a limited view of creativity. Creativity is often viewed as a
driving force that produces tangible things. Some people seem to think that if
a person is not painting, writing, sculpting, or scoring music then there is no
creativity.
The objects of art------the paintings, the books, the statues, the
songs--------are not in themselves creative. What is creative is the human urge
to make things more vivid, more viable, and more connected to those things we
all know. Creativity makes things at once much more simple and infinitely
profound. ...........
The product of creativity that is common to everyone is an attitude. It is an
attitude that nurtures diversity, change, optimal involvement, and self
regulation. ...............
True creativity is a healing force. If, as is accurately claimed, creativity
forcefully disassembles sensation, perception, and conception--------then the
truly creative must be ready to heal the temporary pain and bewilderment that
may result. Creativity is never actually destructive. It creats a context of,
"Yes, and" rather than "Yes, but."
I can just hear John exclaiming "Yes!!!!!"
with that wonderful smile on his face!!!!!!!
Quoting from Dr. Jonas Salk-------
Metabiological Creativity
"It seems that when we accept ourselves as integral parts of nature, we can
more easily identify with natural phenomena and learn from them what we need to
know about order and disorder, the laws of nature, the nature of nature, and
the nature of human nature. This is the ultimate goal in our pursuit of
knowledge and the wisdom to use the knowledge we have acquired. This, now, is
our great challenge."
Wise words..........
Wendy
Itamazesme
Hollie Darlin
>>>>>
Wise words..........
Wendy
Ladron23
Bev Doolittle-------brilliant watercolor artist....
"Those who have walked in the forest or desert with Bev Doolittle know she is
constantly pausing to examine and marvel.
The Indian idea that the earth is a book to study and learn from makes perfect
sense to her. Speaking on this at an art seminar
in 1993, she said: "Each animal has been endowed with special gifts. We are
human beings. Our gift is our ability to learn. The Indian learned from the
animals. They showed him how to live in the wilderness. They became his
teachers. The Indian prayed for his animal teachers and was grateful for their
gifts. He also understood his place as being no more or no less important than
all the other creatures. He was just one part of a complex and wonderful whole.
Modern man has lost this insight. We live in crowded cities and feel isolated.
We seldom touch the earth any more. We don't walk barefoot or dangle our feet
in a stream. We've cut ourselves off from the earth. We feel uneasy and
incomplete and we don't know why.We should value the wild animals as teachers
again. Today more than ever, we need to learn what they have to teach. They can
show us how to rejoin the natural world."
" A broken song beneath the snow, the echo of a soaring jay, a shape in the
mist, a touch in the rain, in wilderness you come again.....you tell us what we
used to know......you speak fo all the free wild things whose ways were ours
when the wind had wings."
"Creativity ........is not something that can be perfected, finished, and set
aside......we reach plateaus of creative attainment only to have a certain
restlessness set in.....
In other owrds, just when we get there, there disappears. Dissatisified with
our accomplishments, however lofty, we are once again confronted with our
creative self...what are we going to do......now?
This unfinished quality, this restless appetite for further exploration, tests
us. We are asked to expand in order that we not contract. Evading this
commitment......
leads straight to stagnation, discontent, spriitual discomfort. "Can't I rest?"
we wonder.
In a word, the answer is no."
Wendy
Marion Moore
Lennon was featured. He said virtualy the same thing as our John about the
process of song writing. He even said that sometimes he wasn't even sure if
he could claim the credit for writing some songs as they just seem to come
from " out there ".
Special people with a very special gift.
Marion
"Ladron23" <ladr...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000618192525...@ng-fp1.aol.com...
jimmy
Itamazesme
moving out of the city and into the mts in a few years. I feel so wonderful
when I go camping in the mts. next to a beautiful lake or river. I certainly
feel more at peace!! I have made my house and yard look like a little nature
sactuary just to block out the city. Other people also feel very comfortable.
Hollie Darlin in crowded Calif
KJ
down what the little voices tell me too! LOL
KJ
Marion Moore <mar...@windsong.freeserve.co.uk> wrote in message
news:8ikg3r$das$1...@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
continued:
>
>Words from John taken from the 1981 John Denver Anthology
>
>
>"The Wedding Song" had it's premire performance in 1971, at
Peter Yarrow's
>wedding. Noel Paul Stookey, Paul of Peter, Paul and Mary wrote
the song. He
>created a foundation, called the Public Domain Foundation, to
receive and
>distribute the royalties from "The Wedding Song" to charity.
Since 1971, 1.5
>million dollars has been given to various family and children's
programs.
Well wasn't that nice! I've only heard the Irish Rovers' version
of R&R, and it didn't occur to me that it sounded like TWS. If
it did, then of course Paul was copying from John. Fortunately
for him, JD didn't seem to mind.
>From what I have read, John wrote and published his song two
years before
>Paul's
>song was made public.
So NPS copied from JD.
>Just my observation--------there is a lot of neat info on Peter,
Paul and
>Mary's pages....Lots of history........
>
>Enjoy them both...........
>
>Wendy
>
>
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
http://mypage.goplay.com/BobbyDylan
And the song that I am singing is a prayer to nonbelievers,
come and stand beside us we can find a better way!!!!
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
>Was listening to an "oldies" show on Saturday and an interview
by John
>Lennon was featured. He said virtualy the same thing as our John
about the
>process of song writing. He even said that sometimes he wasn't
even sure if
>he could claim the credit for writing some songs as they just
seem to come
>from " out there ".
>
>Special people with a very special gift.
>
>Marion
You're talking about when Lennon wrote "Accross the Universe"
aren't you? Yes, he said that one just came to him when his wife
was yelling at him. That's a good song. R&R is a good song too.
I am surprised that Denver considered it to be autobiographical.
The lyrics sound so bizarrely surrealistic, I would put it on a
level with "Mr. Tambourine Man". The mountains falls around us,
the sun is slowly fading. I would consider songs like "All of My
Memories" or "This Old Guitar" to be autobiographical, but R&R?
And forgive me, but I think John was being a little arrogant when
he claimed HE wanted to be the one to lead us to the mountains
and back to the spirit or whatever. Who did he think he was?
Just my impression.
Absolutely Cynthia Marie
http://mypage.goplay.com/BobbyDylan
Got questions? Get answers over the phone at Keen.com.
KJ
Thanks for the quote Marty, I like it.
KJ
Ward Horde <ward...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20000619214411...@ng-cs1.aol.com...
> >
> >I'm like that with my poems. Some are just gifts given to me - I just
write
> >down what the little voices tell me too! LOL
> >
> >KJ
> >
>
> Just remember that if you talk to God you are praying, but if God talks to
you
> you are schizophrenic. I can't remember who said that, but I love that
quote.
>
> Marty
Ladron23
I have had the distinct honor twice to have met Bev Doolittle-----last Fall my
son and I were the first and second ones to greet her here at an art gallery.
She was on tour to meet and sign pictures-------her newest effort, "The Earh Is
Our Mother", a book with a collection of 16 of her art prints in it. It is a
fiction story of a young girl trying to save a canyon from being developed. It
is a project that she has worked on since 1996. I had purchased her print and
book last November. She is such a wonderful artist----and is very much a
perfectionist.
Check out this site------
Greenwich Workshop
http://www.greenwichworkshop.com/
When you get there, click on the home page, then put Bev Doolittle's name in
the search box, then click on Bev Doolittle.
You will be able to read about her, and view all of her paintings. I have three
of her paintings, one which my brother gave me, that is quite valuable. I
really admire her as an artist, as a woman, as a human being.
She did a painting a few years back, entitled, "Prayer For the Wild Things".
Paul Winter, the musician, and one who played at John's memorial service in
Aspen, did a CD of music and animal sounds to accompany the painting. It her
painting are hidden endangered animals.
There is quite a story surrounding this painting.
Peace,
Wendy
Ward Horde
Ward Horde
>This is precisely why I think that John Denver was eccentric.
>The more quotes I read and hear from him, the more I think so.
>Normal men don't say things like this. Normal men don't say the
>children and flowers are their sisters and brothers and say they
>will lead people to the mountains or whereever.
>
Normal men (and women) don't write songs, don't move people to the degree that
artists such as John (and Dylan) do. That's why they are artists, not shoe
salesmen, or accountants, or whatever. By your definition, all artists are
eccentric.
Marty
Itamazesme
picture
Hollie Darlin
Ladron23
"Rhymes and Reasons"
"So you speak to me of sadness and the coming of the winter
Fear that is within you now that seems to never end
And the dreams that have escaped you and a hope that you've forgotten
And you tell me that you need me now and you want to be my friend
And you wonder where we're going,
Where's the rhyme and where's the reason
And it's you cannot accept it is here we must begin to seek the wisdom of the
children
And the graceful way of flowers in the wind
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers,
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
Like the music of the mountains and the colors of the rainbow,
They're a promise of the future and a blessing for today.
Though the cities start to crumble and the towers fall around us,
The sun is slowly fading and it's colder than the sea,
It is written: From the desert to the mountains they shall lead us,
By the hand and by the heart and they will comfort you and me.
In their innocence and trusting, they will teach us to be free.
For the children and the flowers are my sisters and my brothers,
their laughter and their loveliness would clear a cloudy day.
And the song that I am singing is a prayer for non-believers,
Come and stand beside us,
We can find a better way."
In my opinion, I feel the lyrics are very beautiful and meaningful.
He said he intended to lead people to the mountains, and back to the earth,
back to the spirit---------he did, over and over-----fact.
I feel everything he wrote about children and flowers is so true. Young
children are innocent and trusting. They are a promise for our future, and
indeed, a blessing for each day. As are the flowers, and all of nature. If you
take the time to go out-of-doors, and listen, just listen, you will hear
nature, you will hear the wind, you will hear the animals talking. If you are
fortunate to be among flowers and plants, you can become so intrigued and
amazed by them--------the brilliance of the colors, the variety of the colors,
the variety of the flowers, their shapes, their fragrance.
I draw and watercolor flowers, and am so excited to see the many, many ways
they
exist. I am in awe of them----
In my opinion, John had it right on--------if you really believe what he wrote
is bizarrely
surrealistic------how do you explain the immense popularity of the song?
I think many people just simply relate to John, to the lyrics of his songs, to
the melodies.
To plant tiny seeds that flourish and grow into flowers, vegetable plants, and
trees, is to be constantly amazed at even a day's growth-------the same with
watching a child grow-------------magical and breath-taking, and very
gratifying........
Wendy
C Reck
Is Oprah arrogant for trying to get people back to their spirit? I don't see
it that way at all. Anytime somebody can use their lives to gently expand
the minds of others, I think that's a positive gift to humanity. His music
simply made me appreciate the great gifts of nature, probably more than I
would have had he not produced his songs.
Colleen
"Absolutely Cynthia Marie" <bobby...@goplay.com> wrote in message
news:01f52822...@usw-ex0102-016.remarq.com...
DrPepper
St. Francis of Assisi writing it......It fits his profile.....I love the
lyrics...what a genius with words our JD is....Lorraine
Christine Moon
--
Peace, in John's memory,
Christine
*********************************
moon...@netcomuk.co.uk
"Friends of John Denver"
http://www.fojd.org.uk
*********************************
DrPepper <drpep...@home.com> wrote in message
news:394FA600...@home.com...
Pamela Beasley
John was a man with a vision and a need to make a difference.
Pam
FNGRVN98
>he claimed HE wanted to be the one to lead us to the mountains
>and back to the spirit or whatever. Who did he think he was?
I think that John was simply saying that he WANTED to be the one, not that he
was THE one.
For the record, I'd love to be the one to do the same. And given the chance to
express my thoughts about it, I'd probably say the exact same thing, not having
any intention of personal notoriety, but simply wanting to further the cause at
hand.
I've grown weary of hearing JD accused of such arrogance, but if you put
yourself in his shoes as a public figure with an obvious influence on a certain
demographic and a responsibility to do something positive with it, in the
context of the times in which this song was born, both the lyrics and his
intentions become much clearer.
I'd also like to say that I've enjoyed all the posts on this thread. In my
opinion, this is the type of debate and discussion this newsgroup desperately
needs.
And...IMHO....Rhymes and Reasons is the truth. An artistic and profound
statement about life and the way it should be lived.
Viewed by a cynic, it's corny. Viewed by a person of good heart and intention,
it's a statement of purpose and a boost of spirit. And again, like all of JD's
music, it's simply a man telling you what he feels.
I still feel it too...even after all these years and the collapse of the
"hippie" dreams. The politically-correct scene may change...but, pardon the
pun, the truth is still out there...For real.
Greg
"Now the trouble with you and me, my friend
Is the trouble with this nation
Too many blessings, too little appreciation
And I know that kind of notion - well, it just ain't cool
So send me back to Sunday School
Because I'm tired of waiting for Reason to arrive
It's been too long we've been living these unexamined lives
I've got great expectations
I've got family and friends
I've satisfying work
I've got a back that bends
For every breath, for every day of living
This is my Thanksgiving..."
Don Henley - From "My Thanksgiving"
ASLTsmile
doesn't have many. There is a simple truth expressed very poetically in this
song.
Peace,
Tricia
Ward Horde
>he claimed HE wanted to be the one to lead us to the mountains
>and back to the spirit or whatever. Who did he think he was?
The song says the children will lead us. Which is a biblical image, as are
some of the other images in the song.
Marty
Flyushome
>that
>artists such as John (and Dylan) do. That's why they are artists, not shoe
>salesmen, or accountants, or whatever. By your definition, all artists are
>eccentric.
>
>Marty
>
>
Pat
Diamondsnstones
>he claimed HE wanted to be the one to lead us to the mountains
>and back to the spirit or whatever. Who did he think he was?
>
>
>Absolutely Cynthia Marie
>
Diamondsnstones
>Maybe St Francis did write it - in his later incarnation as JD!
>
Try not to post things like that Christine when I am drinking Coke as it stains
my JD T-shirts!!!!!!! Sue
Diamondsnstones
>Is Oprah arrogant for trying to get people back to their spirit? I don't see
>it that way at all. Anytime somebody can use their lives to gently expand
>the minds of others, I think that's a positive gift to humanity. His music
>simply made me appreciate the great gifts of nature, probably more than I
>would have had he not produced his songs.
>
>C
Not good Colleen - We will be told to get ourselves another ng if we bring
Oprah into a discussion here. But you are absolutely correct in that if a
person is given a gift and can communicate it to others than they really have a
responsibility to try to be uplifting and positive and draw others to that
light - like a moth to a candle. Sue
Diamondsnstones
>I still feel it too...even after all these years and the collapse of the
>"hippie" dreams. The politically-correct scene may change...but, pardon the
>pun, the truth is still out there...For real.
>
Thank you Greg. Every now and then when I get down about the fact that the
work and dreams we had in the 60s came mostly to naught I am reminded that
those dreams were "truth" and if we were arrogant then so be it - we tried our
darndest to make a difference and at that point in time believed we could if
only we tried as hard as we could. John believed that too. If the believers
stop believing then we are doomed and if we are doomed anyway, at least some
"heard" that clarion call and gave it voice!!!!!! Sue
Flyushome
>
That reminds me, what's happened to KB?
Pat
Flyushome
Pat