Eric Johnson recorded the song in A-flat major, in 4/4 time.
Desert Rose
Eric Johnson Lyrics
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I must pattern my life about you;
You can make the most when the waters run dry,
Look into the well deep inside you.
My Desert Rose,
Born are the few,
Always with me,
Acrolith reflection, that floats through my dreams,
Arid is the dust underneath me;
Something far away, a mirage so it seems,
What I long to see, oh, could it be?
My Desert Rose,
Born are the few,
Always with me,
A vision of you.
My Desert Rose,
Born are the few,
Always with me,
A vision of you.
My Desert Rose,
Born are the few,
Always with me,
A vision of you.
Don't fade away.
Don't fade away.
The opening lines of Eric Johnson's "Desert Rose" are both evocative and mysterious. There is a sense of longing that runs through the entire song, but the focus is always on the beauty and power of the titular rose. The metaphor of the rose dancing in the heat of the sky is an especially striking one, as it suggests both resilience and fragility in the face of difficult circumstances. The singer is clearly drawn to this image, and is trying to shape his life around it in some way.
One interpretation of the song is that it is about the pursuit of artistic inspiration, and the struggle to find it in a world that can often feel barren and hostile. The "well deep inside you" may be a reference to the unconscious mind, which is often seen as a source of creativity. The image of the "acrolith reflection" floating through the singer's dreams adds to this sense of otherworldly beauty and inspiration.
Overall, "Desert Rose" is a deeply poetic and introspective song that invites multiple readings. It is both a celebration of natural beauty and a tribute to the power of art to sustain us through difficult times.
Line by Line Meaning
Desert Rose that dances, in heat of the sky,
The Desert Rose dances under the scorching sun.
I must pattern my life about you;
I must learn from you and take inspiration from your ability to thrive in difficult circumstances.
You can make the most when the waters run dry,
You have the power to bloom even in tough times.
Look into the well deep inside you.
Dig deep within yourself to find your strength when resources are scarce.
My Desert Rose,
My source of inspiration.
Born are the few,
Few possess the resilience and adaptability of the Desert Rose.
Always with me,
You are always in my thoughts and a guiding force in my life.
A vision of you.
Your image inspires me to be strong and persevere.
Acrolith reflection, that floats through my dreams,
In my dreams, you are a beautiful, perfect example of strength and endurance.
Arid is the dust underneath me;
I feel weak and struggling in harsh conditions.
Something far away, a mirage so it seems,
You seem like an unattainable dream, too perfect to be real.
What I long to see, oh, could it be?
But I am hopeful that I could become like you with enough effort and dedication.
Don't fade away.
Please remain my source of inspiration and hope.
Don't fade away.
Please continue to guide me and remind me of your strength.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHNSON, MARIANI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@domenicobambara6289
it is a pity that one of the greatest guitarists of the last decades is unknown to many people
@Progmium
Agreed! I guess it is our job to spread the word.
@paulgentile1024
Set some guitars on fire 🔥 that might help.. I agree the guys phenomenal
@Jaco4e
Last decades? No, of all time
@jazzram_
Agree
@bigelile07
@Jaco's IMO, it's between Eric and SRV. Most underrated guitarist ever is Eric, although he wrote and played the greatest guitar solo ever...It makes no sense.
@agnezabarutanski1963
His clean tone is unmatched. His dirty tone is incredibly clean. His style and technique are recognizable after a single note. His songwritting talent is immense. He has a great voice as well. And as if all that isn't enough - he owns that glorious jacket and that glorious hair.
Eric Johnson is a gift from universe that we didn't deserve, but boy oh boy, am I glad we got him!
@SureshKumar-ez1ew
Can't agree with you more!! EJ is G.O.A.T. guitarist. There are many great guitarists but the sheer quality, talent and brilliance without resorting to too much of pedals and gizmos is the hallmark of Eric's style. He is truly God's gift to humanity.
@laurakent750
White cliffs of dover just floored me. Incredible and quite a sultry voice too.
@MrSmiley1964
The talent. The hair. This man truly has God on his side and he's a gift for us all.