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Holy Man Lyrics
Called to Madonna
To give me a line
She said boy what have you done
Passing your time with a holy man
Talking about the moon and sun
But I can't tell the difference
Between the fool and wise
Show me a river to follow
Away from all these lies
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been picking up my bones too long
Won't you understand
Called to the captain
To put me ashore
For it looked like no man's land
Is this the way to follow
I cried as I shook his hand
He told me had no answer
He didn't really hold the key
I am a simple man
Was all he said to me
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me a hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
I've been on the road so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
Heard my mother crying
She was calling out my name
Whisper in the dark night
Saying who's to blame
The hour glass keeps turning
With not enought sand to see
I am a holy man
So don't you bother me
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand?
To give me a line
She said boy what have you done
Passing your time with a holy man
Talking about the moon and sun
But I can't tell the difference
Between the fool and wise
Show me a river to follow
Away from all these lies
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been picking up my bones too long
Won't you understand
To put me ashore
For it looked like no man's land
Is this the way to follow
I cried as I shook his hand
He told me had no answer
He didn't really hold the key
I am a simple man
Was all he said to me
Won't you lend me a hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
I've been on the road so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
She was calling out my name
Whisper in the dark night
Saying who's to blame
The hour glass keeps turning
With not enought sand to see
I am a holy man
So don't you bother me
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand?
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I think this is both a "coming of age" story told in first person as well as a commentary of gurus, religion/spiritualism and how these are empty shields against emptiness and loneliness.
The coming of age is told through the three verses. In the first verse, our protagonist goes to catholic church ("called to Madonna") where he is berated for having hung out with some kind of guru (~speaking to a holy man about moon and sun"). He claims to be inexperienced and unable to tell who is a true guru but is willing to be shown the way ("the river to follow"). In the second verse, our protagonist is exploring - he took a riverboat up that river figuratively speaking and came to roads end there - from where he is stepping ashore it is for himself to find the way. I liken this to being taught basic meditation but thereafter having to continue by oneself in order to move on. In the third verse, our hero(?) has gone far down the rabbit hole. He has wandered that desert path for too long, his original identity is lost among all the mumbojumbo. He is back among us, but he is different - he did not find any answers but lost his illusion that there are any. His mother does not see her son in him and other people see a meditation man. He plays the part of the guru but is bitter.
The chorus repeats the theme of loneliness and longing for human connection. The verses tell us that the way of the holy man certainly will not save us from it.
this place sucks!!!!!!! why are there no comments on beautiful songs like this????!!!!
the only thing i can figure out about this song is that he's being sarcastic when he says 'i'm a holy man'. it sounds like a very bitter song. it's really sad coz he's talking about how he's always been alone.
gillians voice sounds really good in this one. it kinda adds to the atmosphere of the song. it's one my favourites, right up there with soldier of fortune and perfect strangers.
wicked song, one of my favourites on Stormbringer.
gillan had left the band, this is the second album after he left. Glenn Hughes sings this one
I think its about finding the point of life, the right way "Is this the way to follow". The conclusion is, I think, that no one can tell you how to live your life "He told me had no answer He didn't really hold the key I am a simple man Was all he said to me". I think that's at least the meaning of a part of the song.