Crosby joined the Byrds in 1964. They had their first number-one hit in April 1965 with a cover of "Mr. Tambourine Man" by Bob Dylan. Crosby appeared on the Byrds' first five albums and produced the original lineup's 1973 reunion album. He subsequently formed Crosby, Stills & Nash in 1968 with Stephen Stills and Graham Nash.
After the release of their debut album, CSN won the Grammy Award for Best New Artist of 1969. Neil Young joined the group for live appearances, their second concert being Woodstock, before recording their second album Déjà Vu. Meant to be a group that could collaborate freely, Crosby and Nash recorded three gold albums in the 1970s, while the core trio of CSN remained active from 1976 until 2016. CSNY reunions took place in each decade from the 1970s through the 2000s.
Songs Crosby wrote or co-wrote include "Lady Friend", "Everybody's Been Burned", "Why", and "Eight Miles High" with the Byrds and "Guinnevere", "Wooden Ships", "Shadow Captain", and "In My Dreams" with Crosby, Stills & Nash. He wrote "Almost Cut My Hair" and the title track "Déjà Vu" for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young's 1970 album of the same name. He is known for having employed alternative guitar tunings and jazz influences. He released six solo albums, five of which charted. Additionally, he formed a jazz-influenced trio with his son James Raymond and guitarist Jeff Pevar in CPR. Crosby's work with the Byrds and CSNY has sold over 35 million albums.
Crosby was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice: once for his work in the Byrds and again for his work with CSN. Five albums to which he contributed are included in Rolling Stone's The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, three with the Byrds and two with CSN(Y). He was outspoken politically and was sometimes depicted as emblematic of the counterculture of the 1960s.
Lady of the Harbor
David Crosby Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lady of the light
An immigrant like all
Who came before
She says give me your homeless
Your landless and your poor
Come see what we believe
Behind this open door
And given half a chance
They can work out all their differences
Their distance in the dance
How many eyes
Through how many tears
Saw the promised land
When they saw you for how many years
This country's got so big
We hardly know one another
It's hard to think someone you don't know
Could really be your brother
But wasn't that the idea
When we started out
In school that's what they said
The constitution was about
And many good men died
Maybe more next week
So we could have the freedom
To believe and think and speak
And anyway sweet lady
I just wanted you to know
There's a lot of us out here
Who like to see your torch's glow
Wasn't that the idea
When we started out
In school that's what they said
The constitution was about
Lady of the harbor
"Lady of the Harbor" is a song by David Crosby, which calls upon the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty, also known as our 'lady of the harbor,’ as a symbol of hope and promise for immigrants who come to the United States. The lyrics convey a message of unity, equality, and respect for diversity, as depicted in the language of the song, particularly when it is said, "all are created equal, and given half a chance, they can work out all their differences, their distance in the dance."
Throughout the song, Crosby appears to be talking about the rejection, isolation, and hardship immigrants face, particularly those who may not have much to offer or fall within a particular category. He points towards the fact that Los Angeles has become so big that there are few people who can call themselves native to the city. Crosby emphasizes the idea that through patience, perseverance, and solidarity, we can overcome differences and find harmony in our beautiful diversity, echoing the principles enshrined in the US Constitution.
Crosby's song is a beautiful rendition of a time-honored interpretation of the Statue of Liberty as a representation of hope and acceptance, particularly for the less fortunate and oppressed. The song serves as a beautiful reminder of the power of unity and respect for diversity in building strong and cohesive societies.
Line by Line Meaning
Our lady of the harbor
Addressing the Statue of Liberty standing at the harbor, a symbol of freedom and beacon of hope
Lady of the light
One who shines light on all, showing the right path
An immigrant like all
A reminder that even the Lady of the Harbor is an immigrant, like everyone coming to this land seeking a better life
Who came before
Makes a reference to all who had come before to this land seeking freedom, security and prosperity
She says give me your homeless
The Lady of the Harbor invites the homeless and needy to take refuge under her shelter
Your landless and your poor
Anyone who is landless or poor can find refuge under the statue of liberty
Come see what we believe
People are invited to see the values and beliefs that the country represents
Behind this open door
The country welcomes strangers and the poor with open arms
That all are created equal
The country believes in equality regardless of race, religion, or social status
And given half a chance
People can prove themselves if given an opportunity
They can work out all their differences
People can coexist in harmony and overcome their differences
Their distance in the dance
Expresses the idea that people can learn to dance together in spite of their differences
How many eyes
How many people have viewed this symbol of freedom
Through how many tears
Through the tears of those who have suffered and struggled to make it to America
Saw the promised land
The land of opportunity awaiting them
When they saw you for how many years
The Lady of the Harbor has been present for many years and people continue to see it as a sign of hope
This country's got so big
The country has grown so vast that people of different regions hardly know about one another
We hardly know one another
People who share a nation and its values but who are separated by distance
It's hard to think someone you don't know
It is difficult to perceive someone who is not known or understood
Could really be your brother
The idea that all Americans are brothers and should have concern for one another
But wasn't that the idea
The idea being discussed is whether the feelings of brotherhood and mutual support still exist
When we started out
When America began
In school that's what they said
The teachings regarding the country's values and principles
The constitution was about
The constitution reflects those shared American principles
And many good men died
Many heroic Americans have died to preserve our freedoms
Maybe more next week
Further sacrifice is always possible
So we could have the freedom
We have the freedoms we do because of this willingness to sacrifice
To believe and think and speak
People can express their individual beliefs
And anyway sweet lady
Addressing the Lady of the Harbor again
I just wanted you to know
Expressing the love and esteem in which she is held
There's a lot of us out here
Many people share this admiration and love
Who like to see your torch's glow
The bright torch is a symbol of freedom and hope that people love to see
Wasn't that the idea
Repeating the central question regarding whether the original ideals still hold true
When we started out
Referencing the origin of the nation
In school that's what they said
Recalling the American values taught in schools
The constitution was about
The constitution was founded on the principle that we are all equal and have specific rights that must be upheld
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ralph Williams
For some odd reason, the album that this beautiful song comes from, Oh Yes I Can, is not available on Apple Music. I don’t think it’s a conspiracy but it could have to do with a legal issue. Of course maybe it’s just a honest oversight. I would love to add this wonderful song to some of my Apple Music playlists.
Alan Mcinnes
nice song
emilio pena
Pretty woman forever,,.
Cheri Pribble
Isn't she beautiful
Mckayla Myers
Oh my yes