1997- Falling Leaves & Blue Water World

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.]