He recorded and performed primarily with an acoustic guitar and sang about his joy in nature, his disdain for city life, his enthusiasm for music, and his relationship trials. Denver's music appeared on a variety of charts, including country music, the Billboard Hot 100, and adult contemporary, in all earning him twelve gold and four platinum albums with his signature songs "Take Me Home, Country Roads", "Annie's Song", "Rocky Mountain High", "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", and "Sunshine on My Shoulders".
Denver starred in films and several notable television specials in the 1970s and 1980s. He continued to record in the 1990s, also focusing on environmental issues by lending vocal support to space exploration and testifying in front of Congress in protest against censorship in music. He lived in Aspen, Colorado for much of his life and was known for his love of Colorado which he sang about numerous times. In 1974 Denver was named poet laureate of the state. The Colorado state legislature also adopted "Rocky Mountain High" as one of its two state songs in 2007. Denver was an avid pilot and died at the age of 53 in a single-fatality crash of his personal experimental aircraft.
Amazon
John Denver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That one river is all rivers
All rivers are that one
There is a tree that stands in the forest
That one tree is all forests
All trees are that one
That one blossom is all flowers
All flowers are that one
There is a bird that sings in the jungle
That one song is all music
All songs are that one
It is the song of life
It is the flower of faith
It is the tree of temptation
It is the river of no regret
There is a child that cries in the ghetto
That one child is all children
All children are that one
There is a vision that shines in the darkness
That one vision is all of our dreams
It is a vision of heaven
It is a child of promise
It is the song of life
It is the river of no regret
Let this be a voice for the mountains
Let this be a voice for the river
Let this be a voice for the forest
Let this be a voice for the flowers
Let this be a voice for the ocean
Let this be a voice for the desert
Let this be a voice for the children
Let this be a voice for the dreamers
Let this be a voice of no regret
John Denver's song "Amazon" is a metaphorical ode to the interconnectedness of nature and humanity. Through the use of various natural elements, like rivers, trees, flowers, birds, and deserts, Denver paints a picture of a world where everything is connected by a single thread of life. He emphasizes that every part of nature is a reflection of the whole and that one cannot exist without the other.
The first stanza describes the unity of different entities, where the river, tree, flower, and bird represent the idea that one source gives life to all things. The second stanza, however, introduces the darker side of humanity, where a child's cries in the ghetto represent the inequality and injustice that exists in the world. The reference to a vision that shines in the darkness represents hope and the promise that a better world is possible.
The final stanza is a call to action, urging us to stand up and speak for the various elements of nature and humanity that need a voice. Denver stresses that we should be the voice of nature, including the mountains, river, forest, flowers, ocean, and desert, and the voice of people, including children and dreamers.
Overall, "Amazon" is a song that inspires us to see the beauty in nature and to actively protect it. Denver masterfully uses his words and music to convey a message of hope and unity, and in doing so, creates a timeless masterpiece.
Line by Line Meaning
There is a river that runs from the mountains
All the rivers in the world come from the same source in the mountains.
That one river is all rivers
All the rivers are connected and derived from the same source originating in the mountains.
All rivers are that one
Every river in the world is a continuation and manifestation of the same original river in the mountains.
There is a tree that stands in the forest
All the trees in the world come from the same common ancestor tree in the forest.
That one tree is all forests
All the forests in the world are made up of the same original tree that started it all.
All trees are that one
Every tree in the world comes from the same original tree in the forest.
There is a flower that blooms in the desert
All the flowers in the world come from the same original flower that blooms in the desert.
That one blossom is all flowers
All the flowers in the world are derived from the same original blossom that blossoms in the desert.
All flowers are that one
Every flower in the world is an extension of the same original blossom that blooms in the desert.
There is a bird that sings in the jungle
All the birds in the world sing the same song originally sung by the bird in the jungle.
That one song is all music
All the music in the world is derived from the same original song sung by the bird in the jungle.
All songs are that one
Every song in the world is connected and a continuation of the same original song sung by the bird in the jungle.
It is the song of life
Life is a unifying song sung by every living thing in the world.
It is the flower of faith
Faith is like a flower that grows and blooms in all the deserts of our lives.
It is the tree of temptation
Temptation is like a tree that grows in all the forests of our desires.
It is the river of no regret
There is a river that carries away all our regrets, mistakes and sorrows, and we are all part of that river.
There is a child that cries in the ghetto
All the suffering children in the world are like one and the same child crying in the ghetto.
That one child is all children
All the children in the world are connected and a continuation of the same original child crying in the ghetto.
All children are that one
Every child in the world is a continuation and manifestation of that same original child crying in the ghetto.
There is a vision that shines in the darkness
All our dreams and aspirations are like a guiding vision shining in the darkness of life.
That one vision is all of our dreams
All of our dreams are interrelated and a part of one illuminating vision.
It is a vision of heaven
Our dreams and aspirations are like a vision of a better world, a heaven on earth.
It is a child of promise
Our aspirations represent the promise of a better tomorrow, a brighter future for all.
Let this be a voice for the mountains
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, originating from the mountains.
Let this be a voice for the river
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, emanating from the river.
Let this be a voice for the forest
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, born in the forest.
Let this be a voice for the flowers
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, represented by the flowers.
Let this be a voice for the ocean
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, epitomized by the ocean.
Let this be a voice for the desert
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, flourishing in the desert.
Let this be a voice for the children
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, embodied in the innocence of children.
Let this be a voice for the dreamers
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, dreamed by people everywhere.
Let this be a voice of no regret
Let this song be a reminder and a symbol of the unity and interconnectedness of all things, carrying away all regret and sorrow.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: JOHN DENVER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@retri5742
Words of Wisdom
There is a river that runs from the mountains
That one river is all rivers
All rivers are that one
There is a tree that stands in the forest
That one tree is all forests
All trees are that one
There is a flower that blooms in the desert
That one blossom is all flowers
All flowers are that one
There is a bird that sings in the jungle
That one song is all music
All songs are that one
It is the song of life
It is the flower of faith
It is the tree of temptation
It is the river of no regret
There is a child that cries in the ghetto
That one child is all children
All children are that one
There is a vision that shines in the darkness
That one vision is all of our dreams
It is a vision of heaven
It is a child of promise
It is the song of life
It is the river of no regret
Let this be a voice for the mountains
Let this be a voice for the river
Let this be a voice for the forest
Let this be a voice for the flowers
Let this be a voice for the ocean
Let this be a voice for the desert
Let this be a voice for the children
Let this be a voice for the dreamers
Let this be a voice of no regret
@savvageorge
There's a singer who sings like a God. That one singer is all Gods.
@ronaldzincone7764
I was fortunate enough to see him live in a one-man free concert at India Point Park, Rhode Island in the late 80's or early 90's. Never forget it. It was just his magical voice and his guitar! A legend that will never be forgotten. A great human being!
@gregv79
This jam leaves me speechless and laden with goosebumps. The bongo player steals it...Holy crap, great ballad or cry if you will. The winds, the arrangement...brilliant. I play a lot of his songs...so great he was.
@sincerelylavender6147
This song is the principle that we are all connected. Based on Native Nation's wisdom. Shows itself very today with current events. We are all connected as we share this planet together. The plant and animal kingdoms are to be respected. John respected this.
@trevorhallett5034
John Denver ultimate songwriter and live performer at his BEST ❤❤
@artisticbloodflow
Even just his smile alone can lift up my spirit. His soul is so pure, so authentic.... So grateful for his light
@wisdom6437
Wow always loved listing to John Denver's music. Such a lovely man he was
@michelleseal988
Couldn’t agree more was a fantastic singer and soo was the band 👍👍👍