Dreams is a compilation of material taken from not only the Allman Brothers Band, but also from throughout musical careers of the Allmans and the band's other members prior to and following its formation. The set was compiled by Bill Levenson (who had put together the Eric Clapton box set Crossroads the year before) and released to coincide with the band's 1989 reformation.
Shapes Of Things
The Allman Joys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning | Line by Line Meaning
Just teach me to despise
Will time make men more wise?
Here within my lonely frame
My eyes just heard my brain
But will it seem the same?
Come tomorrow, will I be older?
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
Now the trees are almost green
But will they still be seen
When time and tide have been?
Fallin' into your passing hands
Please don't destroy these lands
Don't make them desert sands
Come tomorrow, will I be older?
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
Soon I hope that I will find
Thoughts deep within my mind
That won't displace my kind
The Allman Joys's song "Shapes of Things" is a song with a powerful message about the effects of time and perspective on our experiences. The song begins with the vocalist seeing "shapes of things" that "teach me to despise." The speaker is being emotionally impacted by a negative experience and is questioning whether time will make him wiser. He is viewing his world through a "lonely frame" and wonders if he'll ever be able to see clearly again.
As the song progresses, the speaker questions whether he will be a different person tomorrow – older, a soldier, or bolder than he is today. He's looking for change and yearning for a different perspective on the world, hoping that he won't be displaced or changed in some negative way by the events around him.
The final verse brings a sense of hopefulness to the song as the speaker looks inward to find a more positive outlook. He hopes that he will be able to find thoughts that will "not displace my kind." In this context, it's likely that the speaker is searching for thoughts and emotions that will help him cope with the negative experiences he's been having, rather than pushing him further away from his community and loved ones.
Line by Line Meaning
Shapes of things before my eyes
I see things that make me realize why people can become hateful
Just teach me to despise
These visuals are the only thing giving me a reason to hate something/someone
Will time make men more wise?
I wonder if as time passes, people will gain wisdom or continue acting hateful
Here within my lonely frame
I am lonely in my own thoughts space
My eyes just heard my brain
My eyes see what my brain is processing
But will it seem the same?
I question if this hatred will continue feeling the same as I grow older
Come tomorrow, will I be older?
I wonder what new experiences may await me tomorrow as I age
Come tomorrow, may be a soldier
Perhaps tomorrow I may be a soldier fighting for what I believe in
Come tomorrow, may I be bolder than today?
I hope I can be more courageous and confident tomorrow than I am today
Now the trees are almost green
The scenery is changing, from winter to spring, which signifies time is moving on
But will they still be seen
I wonder if these trees will still be here for me to see, or if something might happen to them
When time and tide have been?
When time passes, and the changes that come with it, what will remain?
Fallin' into your passing hands
Life often feels like it's out of our control, and can be fleeting
Please don't destroy these lands
I hope that whatever change comes, it does not destroy what I love
Don't make them desert sands
I do not want to see beauty reduced to barren wasteland
Soon I hope that I will find
I long for the discovery of a thought or idea that will give me hope and peace
Thoughts deep within my mind
I hope to find something that will help me deeply, at my core
That won't displace my kind
I want these discoveries to unite people, not divide them
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Paul Samwell-Smith, Jim McCarty, Keith Relf
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Will Wood
I was at the show in Tuscaloosa Al. at The Fort Branden Armory.This was 1965or66. It was my birthday. My cousin Bill Connell played drums for them that night.I stood right next to Gregg.Of course I became a huge Allman Brothers fan.I still am.The greatest band in the world today. Thank you for posting this. This brings back memories.
Jason Hise
I am working with your cousin right now on a project revolving around the Allman Joys..... amazing stories....
ozarkdem
I remember when they used to play St. Louis as Allman Joys. I wasn't old enough yet to go to concerts, but they were always listed in Bob Kuban's column in the Post Dispatch. Back then, it was the best place to learn about up & coming bands. Great stuff. Thanks for this!
1blastman
I'm a Yardbirds fan from that era and I love this cover. It's a great tribute to Jeff Beck, Keith Relf and the rest of the 'birds from the mid-60's. Of course they evolved from this to more intricate pieces, but this is like opening a time capsule and finding a rare gem of music. Like the Spoonful cover also. Got any more?
tiborvivi
what a great cover! hard to distinguise between Yardbirds and them
Jorge Marull
I always liked this version of spoonful... thanks for posting.
Kingscrib
This was 1966...a while before Greg and Duane morphed their musical tastes into the Allman Bros. Band, but you can see that their choice of material (ie:Yardbirds) was a good choice given what an illustrious band the Yardbirds were & the direction Duane & Greg's music took!
Mike Walker
Still one of my favorite bands (the Brothers, not the Joys) - saw them in Ft. Worth along about 1970.
Blue Sky
I honestly thought this was a Yardbirds demo when I fist heard it. Very impressive!
My car's on fire!
I'm reading "Skydog - the Duane Allman Story" by Randy Poe and this is perfect music to read it by!