I read somewhere that this was about the disillusionment with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as spiritual leader that Crosby and others shared with John Lennon (see Sexy Sadie). He was thought to have the answer but they felt he had tricked them. He was famous for his giggling when talking - something the British press picked up on - hence the laughing child in the sun image.
Musically this is sheer joy: when Joni Mitchell joins on the final "in the sun" chorus it is a spine-tingling moment. I'm not sure why he wanted to re-record it with the reformed Byrds in such a pedestrian manner. The original with Jerry Garcia on pedal steel is a masterpiece.
I read somewhere that this was about the disillusionment with the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi as spiritual leader that Crosby and others shared with John Lennon (see Sexy Sadie). He was thought to have the answer but they felt he had tricked them. He was famous for his giggling when talking - something the British press picked up on - hence the laughing child in the sun image. Musically this is sheer joy: when Joni Mitchell joins on the final "in the sun" chorus it is a spine-tingling moment. I'm not sure why he wanted to re-record it with the reformed Byrds in such a pedestrian manner. The original with Jerry Garcia on pedal steel is a masterpiece.