The Minstrel
Dan Fogelberg Lyrics


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There's a love in my life neither mistress or wife
And she waits for me every morning by the sea
Where the fishing hawk wheels and the sun warms the seals
There she lays at her silent anchorage for me

She is fine, she is fleet, she will run, reach or beat
With a song in her rigging and her sails
And when day is done we will lay two as one
And sleep 'neath the rolling rhythm of the stars

And we sail away off to jericho bay
Where the blue of the sea meets the sky
And the song that she sings me, it brings me such peace
When the seas rise up angry and high
She's a friend of mine ~ the minstrel

There are loons off to port and the porpoises sport
In her wake as she breaks the rolling main
And with the wind in her sails, we will run with the whales
As they swim through their dark, diminishing domain

And we sail away off to jericho bay
Where the blue of the sea meets the sky
And the song that she sings me, it brings me such peace




When the seas rise up angry and high
She's a friend of mine ~ the minstrel

Overall Meaning

Dan Fogelberg's "Minstrel" is a beautiful ode to his sailboat, which he personifies as a lover waiting for him every morning by the sea. The song speaks to the deep connection he feels with his boat, which he considers neither a mistress nor a wife but something entirely different. He describes her as fine and fleet, capable of running, reaching or beating with a song in her rigging and sails. Fogelberg paints a vivid picture of sailing with his beloved boat on Jericho Bay, where the blue of the sea meets the sky, and the song she sings to him brings him peace even when the seas rise angry and high. He likens his boat to a friend, the minstrel, as she takes him on a journey through a magical world of loons, porpoises, and whales.


The lyrics of "Minstrel" are simple yet powerful, and the imagery they evoke is both vivid and emotionally resonant. The song speaks not just to the joys of sailing, but also to the deep connections we can form with the natural world and the vessels that help us explore it. Fogelberg's use of the boat as a metaphor for a kind of love that is neither human nor animal is particularly poignant, as it speaks to the idea that our passions and attachments can take many different forms.


Line by Line Meaning

There's a love in my life neither mistress or wife
I have someone special in my life who is neither my lover nor my spouse


And she waits for me every morning by the sea
She eagerly anticipates my arrival by the sea every morning


Where the fishing hawk wheels and the sun warms the seals
We meet in a place where fishing hawks spin in circles and the sun shines down on the seals


There she lays at her silent anchorage for me
She patiently waits for me at the harbor


She is fine, she is fleet, she will run, reach or beat
She is a beautiful, fast and versatile ship


With a song in her rigging and her sails
She sings a sweet melody through her sails and rigging


And when day is done we will lay two as one
We will spend the night together


And sleep 'neath the rolling rhythm of the stars
We will sleep under the stars and the waves of the sea


And we sail away off to jericho bay
Together we sail to Jericho bay


Where the blue of the sea meets the sky
Where the sea and sky blend into one blue horizon


And the song that she sings me, it brings me such peace
Her song brings me immense peace and tranquility


When the seas rise up angry and high
Even in rough waters, she keeps me safe and calm


She's a friend of mine ~ the minstrel
She's not just a ship, but a dear friend and muse, my minstrel at sea


There are loons off to port and the porpoises sport
We see loons on the left and playful porpoises on the right


In her wake as she breaks the rolling main
As she sails, she creates waves behind her and breaks through the open sea


And with the wind in her sails, we will run with the whales
With the wind pushing us, we gracefully cross the sea alongside the whales


As they swim through their dark, diminishing domain
We see them disappearing into the deep, dark waters of their world




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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Comments from YouTube:

@petereyles5583

The Minstrel by the brilliant Dan Fogelberg is a musical masterpiece!!!! and that's a fact!

@187bertie

He left with us so many beautiful memories. I find myself so many times wondering how could anyone write so beautifully, so meaningful and so eliquently. His song s touch me in my heart of hearts, and I understand their meaning ( or at least my interpretation of them) but these beautifu things were so effortless for him. He was a kind, beautiful soul and had that "gift" and I'm so thankful that he shared it with the world. Thank you for posting this beautiful video!!!!

@rdoc

100 years from now this man will be thought of as one of the masters, right up there with the likes of Beethoven and Bach.

@headcaseworker

Wonderful video, Bill! I'm sure Dan would approve! I love the imagery of this song, knowing how much Dan loved his Minstrel. We miss you, Dan!

@lovemrj4ever

JMEagle101, thank you! Thank you for this gorgeous video that honors Dan and blesses us with so much joy. Peace and joy to you sir.

@JMEagle101

Thank you Greta, God bless you!

@CheezNrice4u

Was blessed to see him live under the oak trees of “The Backyard” along side of my brothers singing in harmony. It’s a beautiful memory. Thank you Dan.

@p4458700

Was there any other musician in this world who can write such beautiful songs and incorporate his own feelings and experience in life into melody and lyrics like Dan Fogelberg did? None. And there'll never be another Dan, I'm afraid. Thanks, Bill, once again, for taking us to a sail on the Minstrel!

@headcaseworker

Forever our Minstel, Dan! Thank you and may God bless you and Jean! We miss you, Dan...

@Mariaglenn

Oh my friend, it is quite simply stunning..I have always loved this song, and you captured the whole essence of the song, the sea, and his love of sailing...excellent! Thank you, I love it! Maria Glenn

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