He grew up in Glasgow and attended Shawlands Academy. John Martyn moved to London from Glasgow in the mid 1960s. He made his initial recorded impact in 1967, at the age of 19, with his debut album London Conversation. He then quickly became an integral part of the British music scene, incorporating Folk, Blues, and Jazz into his unique sound.
In the late 60s to early 70s he was close friends with Nick Drake, for whom he wrote the song Solid Air. The album of the same name remains an extremely moving album, as does the later Grace and Danger which documents his divorce from his wife Beverley with whom he recorded several albums (as John & Beverley Martyn).
During the 70s John lived in Hastings on the South Coast of England. Whilst in Hastings he released, amongst others, the Live At Leeds album which he sold from his own house. Also during his time in Hastings John tried to help Paul Kossoff put his life back together.
A long held alcohol problem didn't prevent Martyn from releasing twenty-two albums. In 2003 he contracted an infection that resulted in the amputation of part of a leg, an episode documented in the 2004 BBC documentary "Johnny Too Bad". He recovered, however, and continued to play, record and tour. In 2008, he was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Folk Awards. He has influenced many songwriters and guitarists and is an artist whose stature only grows with time. He worked with artists such as Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, David Gilmour and Levon Helm.
Sadly, he passed away on 29th January 2009.
A tribute album entitled Johnny Boy Would Love this…a Tribute to John Martyn was released on 15 August 2011, comprising cover versions of his songs by various artists who he had worked with or influenced.
May You Never
John Martyn Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold
You're just like a great strong brother of mine
You know that I love you true
And you never talk dirty behind my back
And I know that there's those that do
Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
Now please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me
And may you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold
Well you're just like a good close sister to me
You know that I love you true
And you hold no blade to stab me in the back
And I know that there's some that do
Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
And please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me
May you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold
You're just like a great strong brother of mine
And you know that I love you true
And you never talk dirty behind my back
And I know that there's those that do
Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
And please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me
May you never lose your temper
If you get in a bar room fight
May you never lose your woman overnight
May you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you never make your bed out in the cold
May you never lose your temper
If you get in a bar room fight
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night
The lyrics of John Martyn's song May You Never express a deep care and love for a friend or a sibling. The singer addresses his friend and expresses a desire that he never feels alone or without support in life. He wishes that his friend never has to sleep out in the cold or experience a sense of abandonment. The song is a message of hope and encouragement.
Further, the singer emphasizes his admiration for his friend, describing him as a great strong brother or a good close sister. He acknowledges that people can often talk behind other people's back and spread negativity, but he appreciates that his friend never does so.
The song presents love as a lesson to be learned during our lifetime. The message is that we need to love and care for others and be there for them to help them in their times of need. The singer's request for his friend to bear this in mind is a plea for him to also show love and care to others. The final lines of the song express hope that his friend never loses his temper or his loved ones and implies that love and care can keep one anchored in life.
Line by Line Meaning
And may you never lay your head down
Without a hand to hold
May you always have the comfort of companionship when you rest
May you never make your bed out in the cold
May you never have to suffer or be exposed to the elements
You're just like a great strong brother of mine
You know that I love you true
And you never talk dirty behind my back
And I know that there's those that do
You are like a sibling to me, always honest and true, unlike others who gossip and spread lies
Oh please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind
Love is a lesson to learn in our time
Now please won't you, please won't you
Bear it in mind for me
Please remember that love is important and something we must continually work on for our own growth and self-improvement
Well you're just like a good close sister to me
You know that I love you true
And you hold no blade to stab me in the back
And I know that there's some that do
You are like a sister to me, always loyal and supportive, unlike others who would betray me
May you never lose your temper
If you get in a bar room fight
May you never lose your woman overnight
May you never succumb to anger and violence, or lose the love and support of your partner suddenly
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night
May you never lose your woman over night
Reiterating the importance of keeping the love you have and not letting it slip away quickly
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: John Martyn
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind