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 ยฉ MUSIC SALES CORPORATION, BMG Rights Management
Written by: GREGORY LAKE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@richpeltier9519
Seriously Beat Club is a mountain of gold and I've really enjoyed mining all my favorite nuggets out, to share with my friends.
Dumb People, "People use synths to cover lack of playing ability"
Keith Emerson, "Hold my synth" <attacks piano>
I love you Beat Club!
Rich the Ancient Metal Beast
@deepinblack1940
Just take a pebble and cast it to the sea
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
Letters of your memories are not real
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.
@LindyLou127
Keith on that piano is pure genius...and Greg's beautiful voice, what a song. R I.P two amazing musicians!
@diegofantin6012
this is when music tries to use the full potential of every musician
@LucianoCavalcantedosSantos
Today is lady gaga lol
@SlaughterEngine
@Luciano Cavalcante dos Santos no, today is The Lemon Twigs. People just don't know it yet
@autumnphillips151
@Luciano Cavalcante dos Santos No, today is Blood Ceremony, The Bridge City Sinners, Jess and the Ancient Ones, Lucifer, The Oath, Thundermother, and Twin Temple.
@VallinSFAS
In short...classical music!
@diegofantin6012
@Autumn Phillips i guess know a days the mentality is less is more (money). they forget is you are a good musician more is more
@ivanmay7890
Greg Lake...wow, what an amazing voice he had! Greg Lake wasn't that bad of a bassist either.
@domenicv7962
you don't know music......unless you are joking. He was one of he greatest bass players ever.
@massimomarchesin8708
Greg Lake non รจ stato SOLO un bassista straordinario uno dei piรน grandi in circolazione ma era anche parimenti eccellente chitarrista acustico e anche elettrico!!!!!!!!!