I saw the performance of this song with its original lyrics (above) on the 2012 Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction of Laura Nyro - with an excellent review of her professional life (although it left out the lesbianism). God, I can't believe how I cried like a baby (and still do) when it's full weight came crashing down on me. I was a very faithful Christian for most of my life until "losing my religion" about the time I saw the performance. In fact I had just sent the letter requesting my excommunication the week before.
In response to the previous comments, remember Laura was barely 19 years old when she recorded this song on her first album in 1966 (released in '67). I don't know when she wrote it, but she was 17 (or younger) when she wrote "And When I Die"... which already showed great depth of thought by the time "Stoney End" was written and/or recorded by her, then others.
It took me until my 55th year to begin to see or understand really what she did before she was 20 ("I was raised on the Good Book Jesus / Till I read between the lines") .. and what a long & painful process it was for me. How did she do it? The only thing, for me, that compared to that was Ian Anderson (same age) with Jethro Tull on "Aqualung"... which was recorded almost 5 years later.
I don't fault my parents & the generations before them for bringing me up as such... it was a process & labor of love for them based on all they were taught & knew at the time. Yet, how I questioned my own mother's sanity when I saw go through this process! God, how I wish (like in the lyrics) that I could be cradled again by my mother in the innocence of my youth before the learning & realizations of my adulthood.
I did label this as a "Song Comparison", didn't I? Rather than elaborate this more with my sentiments or analysis, the best I feel I can do is to tie it in with my comments on Ian Anderson's "Wind Up". I feel they dovetail nicely, his a great compliment to hers. Here's the link: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/45570/
Thank God for her pure genius & talent - and the many more songs she wrote of equal quality & depth.
It's labeled "Song Comparison" not "Song Meaning" because I was comparing it with my memories & comments I made about a different song called "Wind Up" by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
It's labeled "Song Comparison" not "Song Meaning" because I was comparing it with my memories & comments I made about a different song called "Wind Up" by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
There are several possible reasons & categories for commenting on the lyrics of these songs... where are yours & what do YOU think the song means??
There are several possible reasons & categories for commenting on the lyrics of these songs... where are yours & what do YOU think the song means??
I saw the performance of this song with its original lyrics (above) on the 2012 Rock n' Roll Hall of Fame induction of Laura Nyro - with an excellent review of her professional life (although it left out the lesbianism). God, I can't believe how I cried like a baby (and still do) when it's full weight came crashing down on me. I was a very faithful Christian for most of my life until "losing my religion" about the time I saw the performance. In fact I had just sent the letter requesting my excommunication the week before.
In response to the previous comments, remember Laura was barely 19 years old when she recorded this song on her first album in 1966 (released in '67). I don't know when she wrote it, but she was 17 (or younger) when she wrote "And When I Die"... which already showed great depth of thought by the time "Stoney End" was written and/or recorded by her, then others.
It took me until my 55th year to begin to see or understand really what she did before she was 20 ("I was raised on the Good Book Jesus / Till I read between the lines") .. and what a long & painful process it was for me. How did she do it? The only thing, for me, that compared to that was Ian Anderson (same age) with Jethro Tull on "Aqualung"... which was recorded almost 5 years later.
I don't fault my parents & the generations before them for bringing me up as such... it was a process & labor of love for them based on all they were taught & knew at the time. Yet, how I questioned my own mother's sanity when I saw go through this process! God, how I wish (like in the lyrics) that I could be cradled again by my mother in the innocence of my youth before the learning & realizations of my adulthood.
I did label this as a "Song Comparison", didn't I? Rather than elaborate this more with my sentiments or analysis, the best I feel I can do is to tie it in with my comments on Ian Anderson's "Wind Up". I feel they dovetail nicely, his a great compliment to hers. Here's the link: http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/45570/
Thank God for her pure genius & talent - and the many more songs she wrote of equal quality & depth.
Yes, well, fine, but, what do the lyrics mean?
Yes, well, fine, but, what do the lyrics mean?
It's labeled "Song Comparison" not "Song Meaning" because I was comparing it with my memories & comments I made about a different song called "Wind Up" by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
It's labeled "Song Comparison" not "Song Meaning" because I was comparing it with my memories & comments I made about a different song called "Wind Up" by Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull.
There are several possible reasons & categories for commenting on the lyrics of these songs... where are yours & what do YOU think the song means??
There are several possible reasons & categories for commenting on the lyrics of these songs... where are yours & what do YOU think the song means??
@DanHilbert She was Jewish. What does that have to do with the good book and Jesus?
@DanHilbert She was Jewish. What does that have to do with the good book and Jesus?