Donovan came to fame in the United Kingdom in early 1965 with a series of live performances on the television pop series, Ready Steady Go!. He first hit the charts in 1965 with his single "Catch the Wind", continuing on with a string of hits, most of them produced by Mickie Most. Donovan's 1966 Sunshine Superman marked not only a transition to the burgeoning psychedelic scene, but is also viewed as a formative album in its genre, inspiring countless contemporaries. His 1967 double album A Gift from a Flower to a Garden—the first major album released as a boxed set—completed the transition from beat poet folkster to hippie troubadour.
As a close friend of The Beatles, he traveled with them to India during their stay at the ashram of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, and taught them the "clawhammer" finger-picking style, which is featured on several tracks on their seminal 1968 double album The Beatles, better known as "The White Album."
The decline of Donovan's commercial popularity coincides roughly with his split from Most in 1969, as well as gradually lessened interest in psychedelics by artists and the record-buying public alike. With the advent of punk rock during the mid-'70s, Donovan, now viewed as a "nice boy" '60s relic, truly fell from favor. Music critics' tastes too had changed; Donovan's new product, while still quirky and experimental, earned little but scorn and derision. As the decades progressed, Donovan would record and perform only sporadically, often separated by several years.
Donovan's career went through a revival of sorts with the emergence of Britain's rave scene in the '90s. As a result, his most famous works were reissued, and once again viewed favorably by critics. With the release of the back-to-basics Rick Rubin-produced Sutras in 1996, Donovan's career settled into a comparatively steady stream of new releases, coupled with archival material and various reissues. He was inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame in 2012.
Epistle To Derroll
Donovan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Living in the deep blue sea
Crawl to me I have proposition to make thee
Would you walk the north sea floor
To Belgium from England
Bring me word of a banjo man
With a tattoo on his hand.
Spoke as spokesman should
"If'n you met our fee then
Certainly we would,
If you cast a looking-glass
Upon the scallopped sand
You'll have word o' this banjo man
With a tattoo on his hand."
"Come ye starry starfish
I know your ways are caped
Maybe its because your astrologically shaped,
Converse with the herring shoals
As I know you can
Bring me word o' the banjo man
With a tattoo on his hand."
The eldest of the starfish
Spoke, after a sigh,
"Youthfull as you are young man
You have a 'Wisdom Eye';
Surely you must know a looking-glass
Is made from sand?
These youngfish are fooling you
About this banjo man."
"Come then aged starfish
Riddle me no more,
For news I am weary
And my heart is sore;
All on the silent seashore,
Help me if you can,
Tell to me if you know
Of this banjo man."
"All through the seven oceans
I am a star, most famed,
Many 'leggys' have I lost
And many have I gained,
Strange to say quite recently
I've been to FlemiSH Land
And if you are courteous
I'll tell you all I can."
"You have my full attention"
I answered him with glee,
His brother stars were twinkling
In the sky above the sea
So I sat there with rapt
Attention, on the sand,
Very anxious for to hear
Of the banjo man.
"I have seen this tattooed hand
Through a ship port-hole,
Steaming on the watery main
Through the waves so cold,
Heard his tinkling banjo and
His voice so grand
But you must come to Belgium
To shake his tattooed hand."
"Gladly would I come oh
Gladly would I go,
Had I not my work to do
And my face to show,
I rejoice to know he's well
But I must go inland,
Thank you for the words you brought
Of the banjo man."
I walked along the evening sand
As charcoal clouds did shift
Revealing the moon shining
On the pebble drift
Contemplating every other word
The starfish said
Whistly winds they filled my dreams
In my dreaming bed.
The lyrics of Donovan's song 'Epistle to Derroll' depict a conversation between the singer and a group of starfish in the deep blue sea, in which the singer seeks their assistance to locate a banjo player who has a tattoo on his hand. The starfish, initially intrigued by the proposal, agree to search for the musician, but the eldest of the group eventually confides that the tale of the banjo player is a mere fabrication. The singer, disheartened but determined, presses the aged starfish for any information he may possess, and learns that the banjo player can be found in Belgium. The singer expresses interest in meeting the musician but explains that his work keeps him from traveling. The song ends with the singer walking along the sandy beach, pondering over the conversation he had with the starfish.
The lyrics can be interpreted in a number of ways. One interpretation is that the banjo man is representative of a long-lost friend or lover of the singer, and the journey to find him is a metaphor for the singer's search for closure or resolution. Another interpretation is that the banjo man is a symbol of artistic expression or creativity, and the singer's journey to find him represents the pursuit of inspiration and artistic fulfillment.
Line by Line Meaning
Come all ye starry starfish
Donovan calls upon the starfish in the deep blue sea.
Living in the deep blue sea
Acknowledgement of where the starfish reside.
Crawl to me I have proposition to make thee
Donovan has an offer for the starfish and calls upon them to heed his request.
Would you walk the north sea floor
Will the starfish venture to new territory?
To Belgium from England
The destination for the starfish.
Bring me word of a banjo man
Donovan is seeking information on a man who plays the banjo.
With a tattoo on his hand.
The man Donovan seeks has a tattoo on his hand.
The spokesman of the starfish
One of the starfish acts as the representative in the conversation.
Spoke as spokesman should
The representative of the starfish speaks how he should.
"If'n you met our fee then
The starfish will agree to Donovan's request if the price is right.
Certainly we would,
The starfish agree to Donovan's request.
If you cast a looking-glass
Donovan is given directions to find the information he's looking for.
Upon the scallopped sand
Where Donovan can find the information from the starfish.
You'll have word o' this banjo man
Donovan will receive information on the banjo man if he follows the instructions given by the starfish.
"Come ye starry starfish
Donovan calls upon the starfish again after not receiving the information he hoped for.
I know your ways are caped
Donovan is aware of the starfish's abilities and knowledge.
Maybe its because your astrologically shaped,
Donovan suggests that the starfish's knowledge comes from their astrological nature.
Converse with the herring shoals
Donovan asks the starfish to communicate with the herring to receive information on the banjo man.
As I know you can
Donovan trusts that the starfish possess the ability to talk to the herring.
Bring me word o' the banjo man
Donovan is still seeking information on the banjo man.
The eldest of the starfish
The eldest starfish takes over as the representative in the conversation.
Spoke, after a sigh,
The eldest starfish responds to Donovan with a hint of reluctance.
"Youthfull as you are young man
The eldest starfish reminds Donovan of his youth and lack of knowledge.
You have a 'Wisdom Eye';
The eldest starfish acknowledges Donovan's intelligence and intuition.
Surely you must know a looking-glass
The eldest starfish questions Donovan's lack of knowledge on how to find the banjo man.
Is made from sand?
The eldest starfish provides information to Donovan on how a looking-glass is made.
These youngfish are fooling you
The eldest starfish suggests the younger starfish gave Donovan false information.
About this banjo man.
The eldest starfish implies Donovan shouldn't trust everything the starfish tell him.
"Come then aged starfish
Donovan once again reaches out to the starfish for information.
Riddle me no more,
Donovan is frustrated with the starfish's cryptic messages.
For news I am weary
Donovan is growing tired of not finding the information he's seeking.
And my heart is sore;
Donovan feels emotionally drained from his search.
All on the silent seashore,
Donovan is alone on the beach with his thoughts and feelings.
Help me if you can,
Donovan reaches out to the starfish one last time for assistance.
Tell to me if you know
Donovan is still seeking information on the banjo man.
Of this banjo man.
Donovan's focus remains on the banjo man.
All through the seven oceans
The starfish has traveled extensively.
I am a star, most famed,
The starfish boasts of its fame and knowledge.
Many 'leggys' have I lost
The starfish has lost many limbs over time.
And many have I gained,
The starfish has regrown many limbs over time.
Strange to say quite recently
The starfish has had a recent experience.
I've been to FlemiSH Land
The starfish has visited Belgium recently.
And if you are courteous
The starfish will only give Donovan information if he is polite and respectful.
I'll tell you all I can."
The starfish will help Donovan as much as they can if he follows their conditions.
"You have my full attention"
Donovan is eager to hear what the starfish has to say.
I answered him with glee,
Donovan is happy to hear that the starfish has information on the banjo man.
His brother stars were twinkling
The other starfish are in the background watching the conversation.
In the sky above the sea
The stars above the sea where Donovan and the starfish are conversing.
So I sat there with rapt
Donovan was completely engaged in what the starfish had to say.
Attention, on the sand,
Donovan was focused on the starfish's words while sitting on the beach.
Very anxious for to hear
Donovan was eager to learn more about the banjo man.
Of the banjo man.
Donovan's focus remained on the banjo man.
I have seen this tattooed hand
The starfish has seen the banjo man's tattooed hand.
Through a ship port-hole,
The starfish saw the tattooed hand on a passing ship.
Steaming on the watery main
The ship with the banjo man was traveling at sea.
Through the waves so cold,
The weather during the sighting of the banjo man was harsh and cold.
Heard his tinkling banjo and
The starfish not only saw but heard the banjo man playing his instrument.
His voice so grand
The starfish heard the banjo man sing and his voice was impressive.
But you must come to Belgium
Donovan needs to travel to Belgium to meet the banjo man.
To shake his tattooed hand.
Donovan's goal is to shake the banjo man's hand.
"Gladly would I come oh
Donovan is willing to travel to meet the banjo man.
Gladly would I go,
Donovan will do whatever it takes to meet the banjo man.
Had I not my work to do
Donovan has obligations he cannot ignore.
And my face to show,
Donovan has plans he cannot miss out on.
I rejoice to know he's well
Donovan is happy to hear the banjo man is doing well.
But I must go inland,
Because of his obligations, Donovan cannot go to Belgium to meet the banjo man.
Thank you for the words you brought
Donovan is appreciative of the starfish's help.
Of the banjo man."
Donovan's search for the banjo man is now over.
I walked along the evening sand
Donovan reflects on his journey as he walks on the beach.
As charcoal clouds did shift
The clouds in the sky were moving and changing shapes.
Revealing the moon shining
The clouds moved, unveiling the moon's light.
On the pebble drift
Donovan noticed the moon's light on the stones.
Contemplating every other word
Donovan thinks back on everything that the starfish said.
The starfish said
The conversation with the starfish had an impact on Donovan.
Whistly winds they filled my dreams
Donovan's dreams were filled with sounds of the wind after speaking to the starfish.
In my dreaming bed.
Donovan's sleep is thus affected by his experiences.
Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: DONOVAN LEITCH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lulupavone
Come all ye starry starfish / living in the deep blue sea
crawl to me i have proposition to make thee / would you walk the north sea floor
to Belgium from England / Bring me word of a banjo man / With a tattoo on his hand.
The spokesman of the starfish / spoke as spokesman should
"If'n you met our fee then / certainly we would, / should you cast a looking-glass
upon the scallopped sand / You'll have word o' this banjo man
with a tattoo on his hand."
"Oh, come ye starry starfish / I know your ways are caped
maybe it's because your astrologically shaped, / Converse with the herring shoals
as I know you can / Bring me word o' the banjo man / with a tattoo on his hand."
The eldest of the starfish / spoke, after a sigh,
"Youthfull as you are, young man / you have a 'Wisdom Eye';
Surely you must know a looking-glass / is made from sand?
These youngfish are fooling you / about your banjo man."
"Oh, come then aged starfish / Riddle me no more, / for news I am weary
and my heart is sore; / All on the silent seashore, / help me if you can,
Tell to me if you know / of a banjo man."
"Now, all through the seven oceans / I am a star, most famed,
Many 'leggys' have I lost / many have I gained,
Strange to say quite recently / I've been to Flemish Land
And if you are courteous / I'll tell you all I can."
"Oh, you have my full attention" / I answered him with glee,
His brother stars were twinkling / in the sky above the sea
there I sat there with rapt / attention, on the sand, / very anxious for to hear
of the banjo man.
"I have seen this tattooed hand / through a ship port-hole,
Steaming on the watery main / through the waves so cold,
Heard his tinkling banjo and his voice so grand
but you must come to Belgium / to shake his tattooed hand."
"Oh, gladly would I come / gladly would I go,
Had I not my work to do / and my face to show,
but I rejoice to hear he's well / but I must go inland,
thank you for the words you brought / of the banjo man."
I walked along the evening sand / as charcoal clouds did shift
revealing the moon shining / on the pebble drift
Contemplating every other word / the starfish said
whistly winds they filled my dreams / in my dreaming bed.
@autumncornsilk1
Love this song. Paralysed at 15 (1965), I used music to reroute over the damage.. 62 now, got my education, loved a career of over 20 years, still dancing to the earworms that got caught up in healing my brain... Can't thank you enough for uploading this amazing song....
@bammer150
autumncornsilk1 i suffer from a very painful skin condition and this song and Donovan got me through the most difficult and painful times of my life, when I was around 13 to 15
@howardacquistapace5084
autumncornsilk1
beautiful life story
what it takes to do/have/be
you!
multiple blessings
and a big
HURRAY for you!
@howardacquistapace5084
SepiaOrientBanana
music and its healing "influence?"
@janicelefever2918
autumncornsilk1 is now age 70, 2021, and still dancing...
@GreatOxford
Saw Donovan at the Fillmore in San Francisco in the '60s, when I was about 15. Might even have been the Summer of Love -- I can't say for sure. Anyway, I sat down at the foot of the stage, patchouli scent and hashish smoke mingling in the air, anticipating something like "Sunshine Superman" once the show began. After a long time, Donovan's dad came out and made the introduction. Then Donovan appears in a white robe under the purple spotlight -- no band, just a guitar in hand -- and starts singing "Isle of Islay" with a voice of such startling clarity, the audience was instantly spellbound. No one had heard a song like that before, and the silence between verses was deafening. The atmosphere was as close to real magic as it comes. "The Tinker and the Crab," "Widow with Shawl," "The Enchanted Gypsy," and other songs followed, each one beautiful and unexpected. Then he announced the final song of the first set and began strumming the intro to "Epistle to Derroll." The guitar strings shimmered like silver bells in flawless rhythm. At first it seemed like a charming little ballad in the vein of Lewis Carroll -- all whimsy and not to be taken too seriously. But the story contained an aura of mystery, too. Then came that haunting final verse, "I walked along the evening sand / As charcoal clouds did shift / Revealing the moon shining / On the pebble drift. / Contemplating every other word the Starfish said. / Whistly winds they filled my dreams / In my dreaming bed." I still get a chill when I hear that. Still recall the magic, and wonder where it went. Think I'd have to hang out in a misty Scottish glade under a full moon for a while to find a fraction of it again.
@scarletbegonia3
Incredible story!! Thank you so much for sharing!! Your description takes me right there...............
@apa_plainjane
glad to hear one of your treasured memories, wish I had seen him, but I have enjoyed all his music over the years. He played on the streets of London a couple of years ago I think, and most of the people just walked by, not realizing they were in the presence of greatness.....peace and love, senor Diego, really liked your description....also "fly translove airways, gets you there on time" (the Fat Angel)
@laburgy
The magic is still there resting in your heart, waiting for you to find it again ,, peace and joy to you XX
@suzannelawson9215
Yes, I would love to join you on the "Scottish misty glade" to find those magical days again. Seems those days are so long gone and I so far, far far away from those magical places and the seashore misty lands.