Douglas began his musical journey as a teenage rock and jazz performer in Canada, performing Elvis covers in his very first band. He went on to receive formal musical degrees from the University of Toronto and Yale University, where he studied with avant-garde composer Mel Powell.
While at Yale, he also met clarinetist Richard Stoltzman; together, they developed a touring and recording collaboration, with Douglas accompanying Stoltzman on piano and bassoon in classical and jazz styles. Along with playing with jazz artists like Eddie Gomez and Gary Burton, Douglas also played bassoon with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
Douglas explored his teaching and compositional skills during a seven-year stay at the California Academy of Arts, and then settled in Boulder, CO, where he teaches music history and technique classes at the Naropa Institute. Douglas also developed "Rock Etudes" -- a rhythm study program for music classes -- used by music teachers worldwide.
During the summers, Douglas focuses on his compositions, which blend his diverse experiences and interests into a cohesive and lyrical whole. Albums like Jewel Lake, Cantilena, Deep Peace, Earth Prayer, and 2000's Eternity's Sunrise reflect his multifaceted abilities.
Cloud
Bill Douglas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I pass throught the pores of the oceans and shores
I change, but I cannot die
For after the rain, when with never a stain
The pavilion of heaven is bare
And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams
build up the blue dome of air
I silently laugh at my own cenotaph
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb
I arise and unbuild it again
I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers from the seas and from the streams
I bear light shade for the leaves when laid in their noonday dreams
From my wings are shaken the dews that waken the sweet birds every one
when rocked to rest on their mother's breast as she dances about the sun
I weild the flail of the lashing hail and whiten the green plains under
and then again I dissolve it in rain and laugh as I pass in thunder
I am the daughter of earth and water and the nursling of the sky
I pass through the pores of the oceans and shores
I change, but I cannot die
For after the rain when with never a stain
The pavilion of heaven is bare
And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams build up the blue dome of air
I silently laugh at my own cenotaph
and out of the caverns of rain
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb
I arise and unbuild it again
The lyrics to Bill Douglas's song "Cloud" evoke a sense of wonder and mysticism about the natural world. The singer describes themselves as "the daughter of earth and water and the nursling of the sky" - a mystical being that moves freely through the elements. The line "I change, but I cannot die" further emphasizes the idea that this being is eternal and everlasting.
The singer continues to describe how they "pass through the pores of the oceans and shores" and "bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers from the seas and from the streams." These lines paint a vivid picture of a being that nurtures and sustains life - a sort of divine presence that is responsible for the cycles of nature.
The final lines of the song are particularly poignant, as the singer states that they "silently laugh at [their] own cenotaph" and "arise and unbuild it again." This speaks to the cyclical nature of life and death, and suggests that destruction and creation are interconnected and necessary for the natural world to thrive.
Overall, "Cloud" is a beautiful and insightful ode to the majesty of the natural world, and to the mysterious forces that govern its cycles.
Line by Line Meaning
I am the daughter of earth and water and the nursling of the sky
I am a natural force that is born of the earth and water but also nurtured by the sky.
I pass through the pores of the oceans and shores
I move fluidly and effortlessly through the oceans and coastal regions of the earth.
I change, but I cannot die
I am always evolving and transforming, but I am eternal and cannot be destroyed.
For after the rain, when with never a stain
After a refreshing rain, there is no blemish or impurity left behind.
The pavilion of heaven is bare
The sky is clear and unobstructed.
And the winds and sunbeams with their convex gleams build up the blue dome of air
The movement of wind and the brilliance of sunlight come together to create the beautiful and expansive sky.
I silently laugh at my own cenotaph
I enjoy the irony of the fact that I can never die yet still have a memorial.
And out of the caverns of rain
My power and influence stem from the depths of rain-filled caves.
Like a child from the womb, like a ghost from the tomb
I emerge from the depths of my source like a new life born or a spirit resurrected from the dead.
I bring fresh showers for the thirsting flowers from the seas and from the streams
I provide the necessary hydration for plants to thrive, from the salty waters of the sea to the freshwater streams.
I bear light shade for the leaves when laid in their noonday dreams
I offer a gentle break from the harsh rays of the noonday sun for the resting leaves.
From my wings are shaken the dews that waken the sweet birds every one
The movement of my wings cause the dew to fall and awaken the sweet songs of every bird.
When rocked to rest on their mother's breast as she dances about the sun
As the earth rotates around the sun, my nurturing presence provides a comfortable, rhythmic environment for all creatures to rest.
I wield the flail of the lashing hail and whiten the green plains under
I am powerful enough to create and control even the fiercest hailstorms that can whiten the once-green fields.
And then again I dissolve it in rain and laugh as I pass in thunder
Just as I can create the harshest storms, I can also dissolve them with soothing rain and occasionally laugh in the form of booming thunder.
Contributed by Reagan R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ahaiss
Música lindíssima! Penetra em nosso âmago e alimenta a alma e o espírito ;) Excelente!
Zé Luiz Navegador
Música Divina!!! É a paz que nossos corações quer sentir!!! Me emociono toda vez que a ouço!!!
amazingsierra
I remember hearing this song on New Age radio when my mom was in the hospital one night. I don't know why, exactly, but it calmed me down and dried my tears instantly. Ever since the chorus' melody has stuck with me, but it wasn't until now that I remembered the title so I could look it up.
Washington Bacelar
Essas músicas são maravilhosas...
Embalam nossas meditações e exercícios de concentração...
Muito obrigado por seres um ser especialmente inspirado.
Shanti
Glenn Hall
Bill Douglas writes wonderful music... what a blessing his gift is!
Taisy silva
Maravilhosa.... me transporta mentalmente para paragens sonhadas de paz e harmonia....
Sergio Pereira
Bill Douglas, llevamos en nuestro recuerdo desde años estas bellas composiciones. Nos has regalado experiencias y emociones maravillosas. Ever great Bill
BigBrotherGnE
Beautiful piece of work!
Vicente Martin
La voz es un regalo de dios, que nos enriquece ,nos eleva al cielo nos emociona, nos alegra nos hace llorar
Pedro Teixeira da Mota
Uma bela música dedicada às nuvens...
Bill Douglas tem algumas músicas muito boas...