The "classic" lineup of Jefferson Airplane, from October 1966 to February 1970, was Marty Balin (vocals), Paul Kantner (guitar, vocals), Grace Slick (vocals), Jorma Kaukonen (lead guitar, vocals), Jack Casady (bass), and Spencer Dryden (drums). Marty Balin left the band in 1971. After 1972, Jefferson Airplane effectively split into two groups. Kaukonen and Casady moved on full time to their own band, Hot Tuna. Slick, Kantner, and the remaining members of Jefferson Airplane recruited new members and regrouped as Jefferson Starship in 1974, with Marty Balin eventually joining them. Jefferson Airplane was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996 and was presented with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016.
Spencer Dryden died on January 11, 2005.
Both Signe Anderson and Paul Kantner died on January 28, 2016.
Marty Balin died on September 27, 2018
Martha
Jefferson Airplane Lyrics
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Patiently
She sifts the hairy air that's worn and wood-swept
Pleasantly
She does as she pleases, she listens for me
Martha she calls to me from a feather in the meadow
Fly to me
And dreams will fade and shadows grow in weed
She does as she pleases, she waits there for me
She does as she pleases, her heels rise for me
My love she talks to winking windows as she murmurs to her feet
Thoughtfully
She separates in laughter to my side
Caught for me
She does as she pleases, she waits there for me
She does as she pleases, her heels rise for me
Martha she keeps her heart in a broken clock and it's waiting there for me
She weeds apart through a token lock, what a great thing to be free
She weeps time, starts unspoken, but when the gate swings there she'll be
There she'll be, in green sun, on blue earth under warm running shower
The lyrics to Jefferson Airplane's song "Martha" describe a woman waiting patiently for the singer to return to her. Martha listens intently for his footsteps and does as she pleases until he arrives. The singer imagines Martha calling out to him from a feather in the meadow, beckoning him to join her in carefree dancing, singing, and walking. The dreamy quality of the lyrics emphasizes the idealized nature of their relationship.
Line by Line Meaning
Martha she listens for the ticking of my footsteps
Martha eagerly anticipates my arrival and is attentive to the sound of my footsteps.
Patiently
She waits calmly and with great patience.
She sifts the hairy air that's worn and wood-swept
Martha carefully senses the atmosphere around her that is old and surrounded by wood.
Pleasantly
She does so with pleasure and enjoyment.
She does as she pleases, she listens for me
Martha is independent in her nature but still waits for my arrival.
Martha she calls to me from a feather in the meadow
Martha beckons me from a light object in the meadow.
Fly to me
She invites me to come closer to her.
You can dance and sing and walk with me
She promises to share activities like dancing, singing, and walking with me.
And dreams will fade and shadows grow in weed
She acknowledges that reality can be harsh and idealized dreams can fade away.
She does as she pleases, she waits there for me
Martha maintains her independence but still patiently waits for me to join her.
She does as she pleases, her heels rise for me
Martha's feet lift off the ground as she eagerly awaits my presence.
My love she talks to winking windows as she murmurs to her feet
My beloved speaks to reflective surfaces and whispering to her own feet.
Thoughtfully
She ponders and reflects deeply.
She separates in laughter to my side
My love laughs heartily as she comes to be with me.
Caught for me
She is captivated by me and is caught in my embrace.
Martha she keeps her heart in a broken clock and it's waiting there for me
Martha guards her emotions carefully and it awaits me in a damaged clock.
She weeds apart through a token lock, what a great thing to be free
She sifts through a small obstacle to achieve her goal of freedom.
She weeps time, starts unspoken, but when the gate swings there she'll be
She feels emotions strongly and starts new endeavors without warning, but she shows up when I need her.
There she'll be, in green sun, on blue earth under warm running shower
She will be by my side, under the sun that is green, on the earth that is blue, with the warm water of the shower.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Paul L. Kantner
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Strangersname
One of the most beautiful, and magical, songs of that time
Gamers against Lean Alberta 2007
There are so many that I always have really hard times with these comments. 1966 to maybe 1973 or 4 are some of the greatest years in Western Music ever.
Max Merry
One of my favourite Airplane songs, mystical, utopian and with Kantner's trademark sci-fi sensibility. Apparently, he was playing around with the chord structure of So You Want To Be A Rock And Roll Star when he composed this. The Airplane and the Byrds certainly flew high in the 60s, both bands using traditional folk tropes in a, paradoxically, forward-looking way....
usatran
Beauty in all forms. Kantner was a genius!
Debra Girard
I love the line "Martha keeps her heart in a broken clock.."
Terry Knepper
i never was able to figure out what that line was until now!!......thanks!!......
John Knottenbelt
Possibly inspired by the line from Eleanore Rigby, 'She keeps her face in a jar by the door'.
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Sheriff Lophophora
Paul Kantner could be considered the greatest singer-songwriter of the Psychedelic Generation.