"....There's a promise in the journeys of the mind,
You begin to believe that there are miracles you will find,
And that someday you'll remember who you are.
The seed within a bright and shining star,
It's like a flame that lives within a hungering heart,
That only awaits the gift of love for it to spark,
Into a fire that burns forever, endlessly...."
-John Denver
Love Is The Master - inspiring performance from 1995
Almost exactly a year ago I came here for the very first time Looking up at the Spanish window From a trail on the edge of the timberline I've been off on a journey to find myself Maybe find my way back home Been many an hour all by myself In the darkest of nights I was never ever alone
Back in the San Juan Mountains again On a ride with some good old boys Telling stories around a campfire The sound of laughter is the loudest noise There's something in a night in the wilderness It's a magical thing to me Like the sky is just a little bit brighter And your life is everything that you'd like it to be
There'll be snow on the passes tomorrow You can feel it in the chill of the wind Let the rain wash away all my sorrow Today is the day that my life starts all over again
I guess that it's just about over now Everything's about to change Everything's a brand new number, darlin' Everything's a brand new game And it's funny I could even call you that After all the pain we've been through Ah, but time is the master of healing Love is the master of everything that we do
[Shared for inspirational and educational
purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act
1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as
criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.]
@JDHealingTimeOnEarth…In this archival video
interview, which we join in progress, you will find several topics of
discussion ranging from politics, hunger and the spirituality of the
music.You will also, if you have an
open mind, be able to interpret these topics and what is discussed and translate
them into metaphors for the issues that we are dealing with today.These are transcendent words of wisdom that
John shares quite eloquently.
[Shared for inspirational and educational
purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section
107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for
purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and
research.]
Here are a few of the most notable quotes from
this interview:
… “But more and more we’re at a time when we
need people to make sure that the World works.”
“What this television camera offers us is the
opportunity to speak truly to everybody on the planet. As we begin to do that
it only brings the human family closer and closer together. More and more, we can experience how much
there is that binds us together as a family and how dependent we are on one
another. How much there is that each of
us can do to make this a better world for everyone…”
“One of these days the politicians have got to
recognize that. Dwight Eisenhower once
said: ‘One of these days politicians are going to have to move over and let
people have what they want’. And so
that’s where we’re at today. And it’s
just recognizing that truly we all want the same things and that what we want
is achievable. Pretty soon that will be
reflected not only in our lives but in the lives of the politicians who
represent us. And we can create that
world that we dream about.”
“We do so much in the world to separate
ourselves one from the other…. What I want to do with my music and with everything
I do in my life is to bring people together.To break down those fences, those things that separate us.Not to lose them, but to find what the
kernels [of truths] are there in whatever the subject is, that can bring us
together. That is the way I choose to work.”….
“There is something about sound. The first
thing that occurs to me about sound is ‘in the beginning was the word’, and
then there’s a whole lot of other esoteric disciplines that give articulation
to what sound is and how it works and how it manifests itself in our
lives. So, there is something about
singing and miracles can occur through sound and I’ve had that experience. To be able to sing with people and hear them
singing with you is just wonderful.”
…“There’s something special going on
there. Rather than think that it’s me,
what I choose to recognize is that it’s something that happens to be happening
through me. The gift that I have, the
talent that I have, the voice that I have, the songs that I’ve written, all of
these things are something where I’m merely like the pencil between myself and
the paper. Between that thing, that
Spirit, that binds us all together as human beings, these ears that hear; I’m
sort of an instrument. And I like
that. It helps keep me straight.”
Please share what about this interview moved
you and inspired you to do that ‘one thing’….
.. . In these archival video clips from 1997, we reaffirm why nature and wilderness played such important roles in John's life. John always supported the environment, and made it a priority in his commitments. It is a timely reminder that we also hold these gifts dear, and as such, must do all that we can to protect Mother Earth.
Do you reaffirm your commitment to the environment now? How will you express that, and offer support?
[Shared for inspirational and educational
purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act
1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as
criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.]
From the beginning, John has been a troubadour for Peace: (worth reading to the end!)
“I don’t know if you remember it or not, but one of my cherished memories is of standing on the steps of the Capitol in front of a half million people, singing Last Night I Had the Strangest Dream. That was in 1968, I think. [Actual date was April 24, 1971; John was 27 years old.] It was lovely to me because it was before anything was really happening in my career. I was there with Peter, Paul and Mary, Phil Ochs and Pete Seeger. There were about three marches in Washington and I was at all of them. And there has been a constant growth since my days with the Mitchell Trio… I think I’m getting more intelligent and disciplined about supporting a candidate or defending a specific issue or taking a stand on something.” -John Denver, 1977----
History is a powerful teacher.
"Free Fox2 months ago (edited) What a unique time document. To watch a young Denver sing at this Peace March, to see him join his friends later in support, to watch the crowd, hear the speeches, then hear his name mentioned on the TV report, a sign that his name was known and his presence mattered... For someone who was not born yet, these were other times, but it gives me a picture of a young man I am not yet very familiar with, but gives me an inside about what was important for him and drove him, even then. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to meet young John in this particular context."
. . . . Step onto the beach, find a comfortable spot to sit, and relax into the calming energies of the lake, the trees, the sky and the snow capped mountains.
Archival video from April 1997, from a conference in Maui, Hawaii
(Audio improves at the 3 minute mark)
Transcript:
"Thank you. Thank you very much. Good Morning! Is there any guitar going out there? While they're getting that, back when we first met in Monterey, California, a couple months ago, they asked me if I might come one morning and offer a bit of an inspirational song. I, of course, complied and I would like to start with that. There are three verses to this song, then I repeat the first verse at the end, and I'll do it one line at a time and then ask you to repeat that line with me and you'll see how hard it is to sing in the morning!
Thank you for this precious day These gifts you give to me My heart so full of love for you Sings praise for all I see Oh sing for every mother's love For every childhood tear Oh sing for all the stars above The peace beyond all fear
This is for the refugees The ones without a home A boat out on the ocean A city street alone Are they not some dear mother's child? Are they not you and I? Are we the ones to bear this shame And they the sacrifice?
Or are they just like falling leaves Who give themselves away From dust to dust from seed to shear And to another day? If I could have one wish on earth Of all I can conceive T'would be to see another spring And bless the falling leaves
Thank you for this precious day, These gifts you give to me (repeat) My heart so full of love for you, Sings praise for all I see (repeat) Oh sing for every mother's love, For every childhood tear (repeat) Oh sing for all the stars above The peace beyond all fear (repeat) Oh Sing for all the stars above The peace beyond all fear.
Thank you. When we met in Monterey a couple months ago, Tom Crum said, "John, I've got some funny people you're going to meet, but they're the most incredible people I've ever met and they have a commitment to the environment and to a sustainable future that is unsurpassed. And it will move you." He was right. I was blown away at that meeting and it was just an incredible reunion to me when you meet people you feel like you've known all your life who are doing the work that you, yourself, are committed to, it's a wonderful reunion, even if you've never met before.
In any case, they suggested that I might write a song for this occasion. And, cocky as I am, I said I'd already written it! Because the day before as I was flying up to Monterey from Los Angeles, looking out at the ocean, I started writing a little song.
Blue Water World, oceans and oceans,
rain that falls like love as a gift from the sky,
blue water world, rivers and streams,
like wishes and dreams that will come true by and by.
On our beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world
That's all I had, so I thought maybe that was the song for this occasion. Since then, we've been on tour; we were over in Europe. I struggled whenever I had the opportunity to sit down and try and finish this song. I couldn't do it!! Nothing. And then got here and found out that I was scheduled to sing it, this morning!! So, I thought, HOLY COW!
But anyway, as I sat with that energy and the thought having been in my mind for six weeks to two months; somehow this place, the energy, the spirit of this place where we gather together, and somehow the energy that you have brought to this place gave these words to me:
Oh we have come from everywhere, to gather here as one, all children of the universe, each bright and shining son, together on a journey, hand in hand and side by side, we are a promise for the future and we cannot be denied. We will not be denied. To somehow make a difference, to find a better way, we give ourselves completely to each bright and shining day. Tomorrow will not wait for us, and yesterday is gone, today is turning into dusk, and we are coming home. Yes, we are coming home.
So, I like to read words when they're brand new, and I can't wait to hear what they sound like! So, a work in progress. I'm not at all sure that this is finished, but sometimes you just don't know. Anyway, a small expression of my gratitude to all of you for what you're doing. Amory Lovins said to me last night, "John, I think this gathering here could be the turning point in a world effort toward a sustainable future." I believe that's true.
Blue Water World, oceans and oceans,
rain that falls like love as a gift from the sky,
blue water world, rivers and streams,
like wishes and dreams that will come true by and by.
On our beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world
Oh we have come from everywhere, to gather here as one,
all children of the universe, each bright and shining son,
together on a journey, hand in hand, side by side,
we are a promise for the future and we cannot be denied. We will not be denied.
To somehow make a difference, to find a better way,
we give ourselves completely to each bright and shining day.
Tomorrow will not wait for us, and yesterday is gone,
today is turning into dusk, and we are coming home. Yes, we are coming home.
To a Blue Water World, oceans and oceans,
rain that falls like love as a gift from the sky, blue water world, rivers and streams,
like wishes and dreams that will come true by and by.
And in all that we may say, in all that we will do
The gift that was given to us is given to you
A beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world
A beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world
A beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world
A beautiful, beautiful, beautiful blue water world."
[Shared for inspirational and educational purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.]
In this archival video from 1984, John performs the Lord's Prayer in Indian Sign Language, and as always, is bringing people together, in quiet grace. Heartfelt and a great reminder that we are all the same.
Transcript:
"..is like a prayer to me. Music is like a prayer. Certainly all that we see in dear Mother Nature is like a prayer. So I would like to lend a prayer to this evening.
I've had the privilege of meeting a group of men over the last couple of years who call themselves the Durango Mountain Caballeros. One of them is a fellow whose name is Dick Spencer, and Dick like my son Zachery, is half blooded Indian. Dick taught me how to say the Lord's Prayer in Indian Sign Language. I would like to share it with you; I think the language of the hands is very, very beautiful and quite Universal.
And so they say:
Our, which means all of us, Our Father, the Mother is with a breast.
Our Father which art, like which one, huh? Which art in heaven.
Hallowed, now the Indians didn't really have a word for holy so what that got to be for them was the mind connecting with the Spirit.
Hallowed be thy name, Watatache, how are you called?
Thy Kingdom, now Kingdom was not a word in the Indian dictionary. What that got to be for them was Holy Tepee. Thy Kingdom come, thy way be done, on Earth the same as it is in Heaven.
Give, Give us this day our daily bread, like patting the loaves, huh?
And forgive us our trespasses. Now trespasses was interesting for the Indians, what that got to be was stealing under the cover of darkness. Forgive us our trespasses the same as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation (chuckles) I like that. You can't say it this way, folks, it's got to be ....
But deliver us from evil, and evil you cast forcefully away from you and to the side and a little bit in front. You don't throw it behind you because it's liable to sneak up on you some other day.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power (pounds fists), it's the same everywhere, and forever, huh?
And the Glory, the glory of it all,
Forever is the sun rolling across the sky, forever and ever and ever, Amen."
[Shared for inspirational and educational
purposes only. Copyright Disclaimer: Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act
1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as
criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.]
