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Dondante Lyrics
In a dream I saw you walkin'
Like a kid alive and talking
That was you
In the classroom you were teachin'
On the streets you were policing
That was you
To the one I now know most
I will tell them of your ghost
Like a thing that never, ever was
And all that ever mattered
Will some day turn back to batter
Like a joke
Behind thin walls you hid your feelings
Takes four legs to make a ceilin' like a thing
In a dream I saw you walkin'
With your friends alive and talking
That was you
Well I saw it in your movement
And even though you never knew it
Well, I knew just how sweet it could be
If you'd never left these streets
You had me worried
So worried
That this would last
But now I'm learning
Learning that this will pass...
Song Info
Submitted by
elaspica On Jan 22, 2006
More My Morning Jacket
The Way That He Sings
Gideon
Just Because I Do
Bermuda Highway
Highly Suspicious
This song is about an old friend of Jim's who committed suicide. He talks about on VH1 Storytellers: vh1.com/video/misc/659267/dondante-vh1-storytellers.jhtml
When I first heard this I thought this was one of the most sensuous songs I had ever heard. Upon closer inspection its pretty clear that as people above have mentioned, its about losing a friend.
The friend James' references is a guy he grew up with and played music with in Month of Sundays. His name can be found on the internet but to be honest, although I never knew him, it wouldnt feel right to post it here. I think this is a beautiful tribute to a friend, although its sad that its necessary at all. Possibly the most regretful lyric is "Well, I knew just how sweet it could be/If you'd never left these streets". Things left unsaid and undone may be the saddest part of losing someone who chose to take their own life.
YOU HAD ME WORRIED.
3:30 and on sets my heart on fire and knocks me flat on my ass.
I highly suggest you guys all go and obtain their live album "Okonokos"! It is absolutely incredible... complete with a mind-blowing 11min rendition of Dondante.
James wrote it about a childhood friend that he grew up with in Louisville, KY who had passed away much too soon. When talking about it for a recent VH1 Storyteller's taping, James was visibly emotional and began crying genuine tears about his lost friend, and even mentioned that his friend gave him his first guitar and dreamed of being on a program like Storytellers when they grew up. Before starting the song, James simply added that his friend "is with them" in each performance.
I have a feeling that it's about the same person as "What a Wonderful Man".
as in Jesus?
I don't like the beginning, but it has a really cool ending.
what a song, i'm thinking off jeff buckley!
I like the first 2:30 more than the rest.