The song is notable for having an experimental, amateurish structure and, as the members were still not sure what they would create, it is more of collective work on a song. The song starts as a soft ballad, with Keith Emerson playing piano glissandos and Greg Lake playing acoustic guitar, and going into an improvisation by Lake, which culminates in a hoedown-like riff backed by claps, and the main theme is then reprised.
Take A Pebble
Emerson Lake & Palmer Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then watch the ripples that unfold into me
My face spill so gently into your eyes
Disturbing the waters of our lives
Shreads of our memories are lying on your grass
Wounded words of laughter are graveyards of the past
Photographs are grey and torn, scattered in your fields
Well, sadness on your shoulders like a wornout overcoat
In pockets creased and tattered hang the rags of your hope
The daybreak is your midnight, the colours have all died
Disturbing the waters of our lives,
Of our lives, lives, lives
The first verse of Emerson Lake & Palmer's "Take A Pebble" is a metaphorical description of the emotional connection between two people. The "pebble" represents a small gesture or action, like casting a pebble into the sea, that can cause a ripple effect in one's life. In this case, the action is the singer's attempt to connect with someone they care about. The "ripples" represent the emotional impact of this action on the other person. The singer describes their own face spilling gently into the other person's eyes, suggesting that the act of reaching out has brought them closer together. The second line of the verse reinforces this idea by stating that the ripples "unfold into me," suggesting that the singer also benefits from the emotional connection.
The second verse of the song shifts to a more melancholy tone. The "shreds of our memories" and "wounded words of laughter" suggest that the relationship has suffered some kind of damage or loss. The use of the word "graveyards" in this verse further emphasizes the sense of loss and finality. The imagery of "photographs...scattered in your fields" and "letters of your memories" suggests that the other person is holding onto these memories, but they are not enough to make them feel real. The third verse continues this theme of sadness and loss, with the singer describing the other person as carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders, with no hope left for the future.
Overall, "Take A Pebble" is a beautiful and poetic song that captures the complexity of human emotions and relationships. The use of metaphors and imagery creates a rich and layered picture of the emotional landscape between two people, and the shifting tone of the lyrics reflect the ebb and flow of a relationship over time.
Line by Line Meaning
Just take a pebble and cast it to the sea
Take a simple thing, like a pebble, and release it into the vastness of the sea
Then watch the ripples that unfold into me
Notice the effects of your actions, as they spread out and return to you
My face spill so gently into your eyes
You see yourself reflected in the eyes of those around you, and it is a subtle, peaceful experience
Disturbing the waters of our lives
However, this reflection can also be somewhat unsettling and cause interference in our daily lives
Shreds of our memories are lying on your grass
Memories are scattered throughout our lives, like pieces of paper strewn across a lawn
Wounded words of laughter are graveyards of the past
Even happy memories can be bittersweet, as they are forever rooted in the past
Photographs are grey and torn, scattered in your fields
Photographs, though capturing a moment in time, can become faded and crumpled over time, much like the memories they hold
Letters of your memories are not real
The written record of our memories is often unreliable, distorted by time and emotions
Well, sadness on your shoulders like a wornout overcoat
Our sadness can become a heavy burden, like an old coat that we can't seem to take off
In pockets creased and tattered hang the rags of your hope
Even when we feel hopeless, the remnants of our dreams and aspirations cling to us, tattered and worn
The daybreak is your midnight, the colours have all died
Darkness can engulf us even in the daytime, and the vibrancy of life can sometimes seem drained away
Disturbing the waters of our lives,
Of our lives, lives, lives
Once again, this reflection can cause turbulence and uncertainty in our existence
Lyrics © MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: GREGORY LAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Craig Ovadia
Absolutely one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written.
Burt472
Agreed.....Ciao from Italy
Mike Swesey
Who would argue with you ?
Brings me peace everytime I listen
Livia Cabral
Emerson playing the piano strings in this song is something out of this world!!! Perfect! RIP great Emerson!
Chris Nadalin
Seeing him doing it live on the grand piano is even better…. Saw them in Detroit early 70’s, opening act was Grateful Dead…
Fossil me
DANIELE GRUPPIONI
Strisciare con le dita la cordiera del pianoforte! Geniale!!!..
garysmusiclist
It's timeless...and beautiful.
Bruce Chambers
Emerson is the best keyboard player of the century. Noone in the modern music era comes close.
mackydog
Jon Lord comes to mind.
RoadKingRyder
One of the greatest albums ever recorded,from 3 supremely talented musicians. The likes of which we'll never see again in this lifetime. RIP Keith and Greg. You are missed beyond measure