Donovan Philips Leitch (born May 10, 1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow), better kno… Read Full Bio ↴Donovan Philips Leitch (born May 10, 1946 in Maryhill, Glasgow), better known as simply Donovan, is a Scottish singer, songwriter, and musician. Originally a '60s folk singer, as the decade progressed Donovan cultivated his own unique eclectic sound, mixing elements of folk, pop, jazz, world music and more, often with a twinge of psychedelia. His most well-known work was suffused with altruistic political overtones, making him an iconic figure of the "flower power" counter-culture of the '60s.
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.
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.
The Swan
Donovan Lyrics
We have lyrics for 'The Swan' by these artists:
- Saint-Saens The frozen rivers, taker-givers, they make you shiver Ain't …
12012 There's nothing left Can you see what I'm feeling? I jus…
Anderson & Roe These lyrics This mind These words of mine They fail me some…
Barbra Streisand What are ya gonna do? Shoot the swans? These lovelies? …
Bob & Tanja By my side, You'll never be. By my side, You'll. never. be. …
Cheatahs The swan, he bleeds. His wings are still. If you take what…
Debussy/Poulenc/Saint-Saens/Satie The frozen rivers, taker-givers, they make you shiver Ain't …
Elliot Vernon The paths we've learnt to wander All narrow, winding, steep …
George Winston You made the tears of love Flow like they did When I…
Julee Cruise You made the tears of love Flow like they did when…
Ofdrykkja Forlorn Dancing alone on a desolate shore Forsaken, like so …
Ruti Glide along the water Kicking fast to keep her head from…
Saint-Saëns The frozen rivers, taker-givers, they make you shiver Ain't …
Skyforest Once I saw your grand beauty I couldn't believe my eyes You…
Tarpit Murder your TV Kill yourself Murder your tv Slit your…
The Kelly Family Did you feed the swan? Did you feed the swan? Father did…
The Sheila Divine if you were there you'd understand my culture's frozen in …
The Swan Everybody got a dark side And dark thoughts They just might …
The Ware-Patterson Duo Lose yourself in the glow, Rise and fall, breath in slow. Oh…
藤原ヒロシ Swan, swan, hummingbird, hurrah We are all free now What n…
We have lyrics for these tracks by Donovan:
01 Cosmic Wheels God is playing marbles With his planets and his stars Creati…
02) Catch The Wind In the chilly hours and minutes Of uncertainty I want to b…
11. Season of the Witch When I look out my window Many sights to see And when…
14) Why Do You Treat Me Like You Do Hey, hey, hey, why do you treat me like you…
15) Every Man Has His Chain From the album best of donovan ii I had a dream…
17 Young Girl Blues It's Saturday night, it feels like a Sunday in some…
19. Wear Your Love Like Heaven Color in sky, prussian blue Scarlet fleece changes hue Crims…
A Funny Man One day a funny kind of man Came walking down this…
A Mountain The lock upon my garden gate's a snail, that's what…
A Sunny Day Sunny day while away the afternoon Cutting nettles that are …
A Well Known Has-been From the album slow down world Tonight my life is heavy,…
A Working Man Leitch Here's a wee tune that I wrote while I was…
Age Of Treason On a lone and windy hilltop beneath a roof of…
Album Cosmic Wheels God is playing marbles With his planets and his stars Creati…
Appearances Can't get this shake together with the rock Movin' her body…
As I Recall From the album the hurdy gurdy man As I recall it,…
Astral Angel From the album donovan Domes upon the Desert Shimmering thr…
Atlantis The continent of Atlantis was an island Which lay before the…
Aye My Love Though you say that the sorrow is all yours And the…
Ballad of a Crystal Man From the album fairytale Walk along and talk along and live…
Ballad of Geraldine From the album fairytale Oh, I was born with the name…
Barabajagal She came, she came to meet a man, she found…
Be Mine Stars 'round the fair moon veil their own shining When She's…
Beat Cafe Leitch Can a cat think ? I think so She asked me,…
Belated Forgiveness Plea From the album fairytale As a pilgrim I did go To a…
Bert Been a-lookin' for a good girl, But it's taking time. A-been…
Black Widow From the album slow down world Kiss me sweet lover And ling…
Bleak City Woman From the album love is only feeling She came with her…
Boy For Every Girl From the album essence to essence For every boy there is…
Brave New World From the album donovan There's a Brave New World awaiting a…
Breezes of Patchulie The long gone breezes are blowing down the sky From my…
Brother Sun Sister Moon Brother Sun, Sister Moon Brother Sun and Sister Moon I sel…
Bye I hate to leave you grieving, darling It's the only way…
Can Ya Dance Can ye dance with silver moonsteps On the love couch of…
Can Ye Dance Leitch Can ye dance with silver moonsteps on the love cou…
Candy Man From the album fairytale Candy man, he's been and gone My C…
Car Car Car Car I'll take you riding in my car car Take you…
Catch the Wind In the chilly hours and minutes Of uncertainty I want to be …
Catch the Wind (Original Single version) In the chilly hours and minutes Of uncertainty, I want to…
Celeste Here I stand acting like a silly clown would, I don't…
Celia Of The Seals Should you wander this land to the North, And few seldom…
Celtic Rock Ye sons of Britain Who once were free Ye now are slaves…
Changes I swear you were talking in your sleep Or maybe I…
Children Of The World From the album slow down world Some of us believe in…
Circus of Sour From the album fairytale Circus of Sour, Holds shows every …
Clara Clairvoyant Clara Clairvoyant Consultation 10 to 4 In the shadows Leave …
Co'dine From the album best of donovan An' my belly is craving,…
Colors It wasn’t that long ago That I started to feel…
Colours Yellow is the colour of my true love's hair In the…
Colours (original single version) Yellow is the colour of my true love‘s hair, In the…
Cosmic Wheels God is playing marbles With his planets and his stars Creati…
Coulter's Candy Ally bally bally bally be Sittin' on yer mamy's knee Greetin…
Cryin Shame From the album slow down world Food in abundance, beggars a…
Curry Land Lady you are my peace of mind Were I to seek…
Cuttin I went down to jose's pool To see if she was…
Dare To Be Different From the album donovan Dare to be different - learn to…
Dark-eyed Blue Jean Angel From the album slow down world My love she's a flower Perfu…
Deep Peace From the album sutras Deep peace of the running wave to…
Dignity of Man Make a song, song maker Sing of love, sweet love. Do not…
Dirty Old Town MacColl I found my love by the gasworks croft Dreamed a dre…
Divine Days Of Deathless Delight Seek ye the mystery through all this energy To set your…
Do Not Go Gentle Leitch-Thomas Do not go gentle into that good night Old …
Do You Hear Me Now Jansch Freedom fighters, speak with your tongues Sing wi…
Do You Hear Me Now? Freedom fighters, speak with your tongues, Sing with the mig…
Dona On a wagon, bound for market There's a calf with a…
Donna On a wagon, bound for market There's a calf with a…
Donovan-Ramblin' Boy As I linger on this windy road My suitcase in my…
Earth Sign Man Leitch I'm an earth sign, mama, I want you to understand …
Eldorado Gaily bedight, a gallant knight In sunshine and in shadow Di…
Entertaining of a shy girl I'll sing you a song, Paint you a painting, Dance you a…
Epistle to Derroll Come all ye starry starfish Living in the deep blue sea Craw…
Epistle to Dippy Look on yonder misty mountain See the young monk meditating …
Everlasting Sea From the album sutras I love you like the sea I love…
Every Man Has His Chain From the album best of donovan ii I had a dream…
Every Reason Leitch There's every reason to believe you and me could b…
Fat Angel From the album sunshine superman He will bring happiness in…
Ferris Wheel Walking in the seashore twilight, It's then you spy carnival…
Fishes in Love The FISHES are IN LOVE with the water The birds are…
For Every Boy There Is a Girl From the album essence to essence For every boy there is…
Freedom Road Leitch I'm gonna ride my freedom road I'm gonna ride it on…
Get Thy Bearings From the album the hurdy gurdy man Get your bearings, know…
Give It All Up No gold worth digging for Without your golden love No trea…
Gold Watch Blues Red and white and blue and gold I wanna wait for…
Goldwatch Blues I WENT UP FOR MY INTERVIEW ON THE 4TH DAY…
Good Time Leitch Won't you come here, baby Won't you hold this in …
Good Trip Leitch Oh, won't you come here, baby Won't you hold this…
Guinevere Guinevere of the royal court of Arthur Draped in white velve…
Hampstead Incident Standing by the Everyman digging the rigging on my sail Rain…
Hamstead Incident From the album mellow yellow Standing by the Everyman, di…
Happiness Runs Little pebble upon the sand Now you're lying here in my…
Harmony Leitch We must be in harmony Before we do anything We m…
Henry Martin There were three brothers in merry Scotland In merry Scotla…
Hey Gyp I'll buy you a Chevrolet, Buy you a Chevrolet I'll buy you…
Hey Gyp (Dig The Slowness) From the album best of donovan ii I'll buy you a…
Hi It From the album the hurdy gurdy man Hi, it's been a…
High Your Love From the album sutras All for the love of leaving am…
Homesickness Leitch Homesickness, it is driving me out of my mind Hom…
House Of Jansch From the album mellow yellow Girl ain't nothing but a willo…
How Silly HOW SILLY The politician look Wearing his public smile Tryin…
Hurdy Gurdy Man Thrown like a star in my vast sleep I opened my…
I I guess before I met ya I didn't know better You swept…
I Am the Shaman Yon wheeling of great stars Hath cast a silver web around…
I Like You You're such a good friend I'd hate to have you as…
I Love My Shirt Do you have a shirt that you really love, One that…
I Love You Baby I love you baby Ohhh I really do You don't have to think…
I'll Try for the Sun From the album fairytale We stood in the windy city, The gy…
In An Old Fashioned Picture Book Come take a look with me in an old fashioned…
International Man From the album donovan I like a pale Caucasian I like an…
Isle of Islay How high the gulls fly O'er Ilay How sad the farm lad Deep…
It's Been A Long Time From the album the hurdy gurdy man Hi, it's been a…
It's Coming to You Well I know it ain't been roses lately, baby, it's…
Its Been A Long Time From the album the hurdy gurdy man Hi, it's been a…
Jabberwocky 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in…
Jackie BeanStalk Leitch Well, there's not enough that I can say to you…
Jennifer Juniper Jennifer Juniper, lives upon the hill Jennifer Juniper, sitt…
Jennifer Juniper 1968 Jennifer Juniper, lives upon the hill Jennifer Juniper, sit…
Jersey Thursday From the album fairytale In the tiny piece of coloured glas…
Joe Bean Long and lazy schooner In lapis lazuli Aquamarina In a south…
Josie From the album catch the wind Josie, I won't fail ya, I…
Kalifornia Kiddies From the album donovan They grew right through the whole da…
La Moora Leitch We're sailing away to the sleepy lagoon By the li…
Lady Of The Lamp Lady Of The Lamp -------------- In the night In the dark nig…
Lady of The Stars From the album donovan She walks through the stars Past Sat…
Lalena When the sun goes to bed That's the time you raise…
Lay of the Last Tinker I can see by your eyes you're a good man, And…
Lazy Daze Looking for a place with a real lazy pace, Lay right…
Legend Of A Girl Child Linda I will bring you gold apples and grapes made of…
Liberation Rag From the album slow down world My henna-haired gal's all th…
Life Goes On La la la la la la la la La la la…
Life Is A Merry Go Round Beneath the weight of the world I can be found Among…
Life Is a Merry-Go-Round Beneath the weight of the world I can be found Among…
Listen When you can't find your way through the night When you've…
Little Ben Leitch Rain on a window, kettle on a stove Where is litt…
Little Boy in Corduroy Little Boy In Corduroy Donovan a little boy in corduroy A l…
Little Teddy Bear Leitch Come on little fella, dry your pretty eyes Someti…
Little Tin Soldier From the album fairytale Once in a town in the black…
Living For The Love Light What am I doing, where am I going? What am I…
Living For The Love Light In Your Eyes What am I doing, where am I going? What am I…
Local Boy He got weights on his shoulders He got chains round his…
London Town London Town ---------------------- Before you go, back to Lo…
Lord of the Dance I danced in the morning when the world was begun, I…
Lord of the Reedy River Lord of the Reedy River She fell in love with a…
Lord of the Universe Leitch I’m the Lord of the Universe, it's best you don't…
Lost Time Wolf-Leitch Timothy took his time to school Plenty of ti…
Love Floats Leitch If I was your lover, I’d take you to the…
Love Of My Life What was I to do? Down day. Nothing I could do…
Love Will Find a Way You may train the eagle To stoop down to your fist Feed…
and many more tracks by Donovan.
The lyrics are frequently found in the comments by searching or by filtering for lyric videos
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Light Shift
Donovan is a musical genius. A parallel dimensional soul.
Nebulis
Remember he was making music in the late sixties, they had a little parallel dimensional help in those days if you catch my drift
Mark C
Wow, so cool to see a high def Donovan playing at the height of his powers.
M Godwin
Quite extraordinary and intense in a tranquil sort of way.
sabrinasjourney
Genuis chord change so hypnotic and haunting!
Budahbaba
Not to mention, Donovan doesn't even have to employ it in this song, but his thumb in his finger style guitar playing is just downright unbelievable :)
Krule
My favourite song my Donovan, it’s truly beautiful!
RC W
This song was hidden from the Bard's albums, and covered instead by Mary Hopkin. Donovan and Paul spent time in the studio together in this era. Imagine what a trio Mary, Paul, and Donovan would have made. "Voyage of the Moon" was another hidden gem covered by Mary.
friendlier
Lord of the Reedy River is actually on "HMS Donovan", his album from 1971. And yes, what a trio they would have been.
Sophia Pangloss
I'm astonished, I've loved this song for 40 years, since Kate Bush covered it as the B-side to her hit Sat In Your Lap. I was always aware it was a Donovan cover but never checked it out till tonight, 40 years later, to find such a gorgeous rendition, and in a film I saw as well, more than 40 years ago, nearer 50 probably. I never realised it was in If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium. Wonderful.