Deep Purple have had several line-up changes and were broken up for eight years from 1976 to 1984, with drummer Ian Paice being the band's only constant member. The first four line-ups, which constituted the band's original 1968–1976 run, are officially indicated as Mark I (1968–1969), Mark II (1969–1973), Mark III (1973–1975) and Mark IV (1975–1976). Mark I comprised the founding members of Deep Purple, Ritchie Blackmore (guitar), Rod Evans (vocals), Jon Lord (keyboards), Paice (drums) and Nick Simper (bass), while Mark II was the most commercially successful line-up, with Ian Gillan and Roger Glover replacing Evans and Simper respectively. Mark III saw David Coverdale and Glenn Hughes replace Gillan and Glover respectively, while Mark IV featured Tommy Bolin replacing Blackmore. The band split in July 1976 and Bolin died from a drug overdose five months later. In 1984, Deep Purple reformed with the Mark II line-up, which remained in place until Joe Lynn Turner replaced Gillan in 1989. Gillan rejoined in 1992, with Blackmore leaving for the second and final time the following year. He was replaced temporarily by Joe Satriani and then permanently by Steve Morse. In 2002 Don Airey replaced Jon Lord, which saw Deep Purple settle into its longest running line-up, unchanged for the next twenty years, until Morse announced his departure from the band in 2022. His place was taken by Simon McBride. Paice, Glover, Gillan, Airey and McBride comprise the current line-up of Deep Purple.
Deep Purple were ranked number 22 on VH1's Greatest Artists of Hard Rock programme] and a poll on radio station Planet Rock ranked them 5th among the "most influential bands ever". The band received the Legend Award at the 2008 World Music Awards. Deep Purple (specifically Blackmore, Lord, Paice, Gillan, Glover, Coverdale, Evans, and Hughes) were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016.
Holy Man
Deep Purple Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To give me a line
She said boy what have you done
Passing your time with a holy man
Talking about the moon and sun
But I can't tell the difference
Between the fool and wise
Show me a river to follow
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been picking up my bones too long
Won't you understand
Called to the captain
To put me ashore
For it looked like no man's land
Is this the way to follow
I cried as I shook his hand
He told me had no answer
He didn't really hold the key
I am a simple man
Was all he said to me
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me a hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
I've been on the road so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand
Heard my mother crying
She was calling out my name
Whisper in the dark night
Saying who's to blame
The hour glass keeps turning
With not enough sand to see
I am a holy man
So don't you bother me
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been pickin' up my bones too long
Won't you understand
I've been on my own so long
Won't you lend me your hand
I've been out in the cold too long
Won't you understand?
The song "Holy Man" by Deep Purple tells the story of a lost man searching for guidance and direction. He seeks help from various sources, including Madonna, a holy man, and a captain, but is left with more questions than answers. The lyrics take us on a journey through his struggles and confusion, as he longs for someone to understand his pain and offer a helping hand.
The opening lines show the singer turning to Madonna for guidance, hoping to find a solution to his problems. However, the holy man he converses with seems to have no more insight into the mysteries of life than he does, leaving him stranded in his quest for answers. Despite his frustration, the singer recognizes the value of seeking a path away from falsehood, but is unable to separate the wise from the foolish.
As the song progresses, he encounters multiple adversaries: a captain who cannot offer the help he needs and a mother who blames him for his troubles. In the end, the holy man seems to accept his fate, declaring that he is no longer bothered by the struggles of outsiders. Overall, the lyrics are a poignant exploration of the human search for meaning and understanding in a complex world.
Line by Line Meaning
Called to Madonna
Asking for guidance from a higher power
To give me a line
To give direction or instruction
She said boy what have you done
Questioning past actions or decisions
Passing your time with a holy man
Spending time with someone of religious significance
Talking about the moon and sun
Having philosophical or spiritual conversations
But I can't tell the difference
Being unable to distinguish between right and wrong
Between the fool and wise
Between those who are knowledgeable and those who are ignorant
Show me a river to follow
Asking for guidance and direction
Away from all these lies
Seeking the truth and honesty
I've been on my own so long
Feeling isolated and disconnected
Won't you lend me your hand
Asking for help and support
I've been picking up my bones too long
Being worn down and exhausted
Won't you understand
Asking for empathy and compassion
Called to the captain
Asking for guidance from an authority figure
To put me ashore
To give direction or instruction
For it looked like no man's land
For it seemed unfamiliar and unknown
Is this the way to follow
Questioning direction and purpose
I cried as I shook his hand
Expressing emotional distress and vulnerability
He told me he had no answer
Admitting lack of knowledge or understanding
He didn't really hold the key
He wasn't the answer or solution
I am a simple man
Being humble and unassuming
Heard my mother crying
Feeling emotional distress and concern for loved ones
She was calling out my name
Seeking connection and comfort from family
Whisper in the dark night
Finding solace and guidance in difficult times
Saying who's to blame
Questioning responsibility and accountability
The hour glass keeps turning
Feeling the passage of time
With not enough sand to see
Feeling uncertain about the future
I am a holy man
Identifying as religious and spiritual
So don't you bother me
Asking for space and peace
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network
Written by: David Coverdale, Jon Lord, Glenn William Hughes
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tommyaddison6539
Will never get the hate for Stormbringer....great album
@barispeace
Hughes's voice so heavenly really.
@fizzo9985
Blackmore never gets recognition He deserves for his slide playing
@PaterTenebrarum1
What a great song. I played this w. my band at high school.
@tsanik21
Stormbringer had the best sound quality of any Deep Purple album. Strong, crisp and clear guitar, drum, bass, and organ sound, beautiful vocals, regardless of the fact that the songwriting had ups and lows here.
@bobfitzpatrick8952
A wonderful song that I never remember hearing on the radio in those days.
@ME-wh5pf
So wonderful! Nothing to say just listen! Our world nowadays is such a big mess we will never have bands, songs, and musicians like this.
@armandomartinez4226
My favourite album of all time. Just gorgeous. Hughes and Coverdale, just amazing.
@markrago5338
I think Burn was the best from Mk III and Mk IV Deep Purple. The Mk II albums represent their best music from their best, though most tumultuous lineup (except for the half hearted Battle Rages On). Mk III was a close second though, the only Purple lineup to utilize more than one vocalist, and Coverdale and Hughes did a fantastic job leading the way vocally, in tandem, switching on and off, or taking a song solo. They were inspired by the Uriah Heep lead vocal tandem of Byron/Hensley, but Coverdale and Hughes were much better singers (all due respect to Uriah Heep)
@markrago5338
The first two Steve Morse albums with Jon Lord also stand out in the Purple catalogue. (Purpendicular, Abandon)