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.
Whalebones and Crosses
John Denver Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Stand against the arctic sky
Wind blows through the graveyard
Where our fallen fathers lie
Eternal snow that covers them
The shadows of the sun
The mighty struggle on the seas
I'll sing for you my father
For the ancient sacred ways
How the hunter loved the hunted
How the night becomes the day
The circle of the mighty spirit
Keeps us in its fold
The warmth of understanding
Like a light shot through the cold
Then bring to me my people
Touch them with your loving hands
Lead them from confusion
Lead them back unto the land
For a sickness seems to block their path
It clouds my peoples eyes
The promise that an idle truth
Will reap a golden lie
Whalebones and crosses
Stand against the arctic sky
The wind blows through the graveyard
Where our fallen fathers lie
The timeless hunt a journey back
To what we once came from
Compassion and nobility
Beneath the midnight sun
The mighty struggle of the seas
A way of life is run
"Whalebones and crosses" is a song about honoring the ancient ways of the indigenous people of the Arctic. The song sets the scene with images of a graveyard where the fallen fathers of the tribe lie. The graves are marked by crosses and whalebones, which stand starkly against the arctic sky. The lyrics go on to describe the eternal snow that covers the graves and the wind that blows through the graveyard. The image painted here is one of desolation and emptiness. It is clear that the tribe has suffered greatly in order to survive in this harsh, unforgiving environment.
The song then shifts focus to the importance of the ancient ways of the tribe. The lyrics describe a "mighty struggle on the seas" that has become a way of life for the tribe. This struggle is not just a physical one, but a spiritual one as well. The circle of the mighty spirit keeps the tribe in its fold and provides warmth and understanding. This is juxtaposed with the sickness that seems to block the path of the people. The lyrics describe a clouding of their eyes, and a promise that an idle truth will reap a golden lie. This could be interpreted as a warning against losing sight of the ancient ways and adopting a more modern, materialistic lifestyle.
Line by Line Meaning
Whalebones and crosses
The cemetery is filled with whalebones and crosses as a memorial for the dead.
Stand against the arctic sky
The cemetery is located in the Arctic region, where the whalebones and crosses stand out against the gray sky.
Wind blows through the graveyard
The cemetery is exposed to the elements, and the wind blows through it.
Where our fallen fathers lie
The cemetery is where the ancestors of the artist are buried.
Eternal snow that covers them
The graves are covered in eternal snow, which serves as a reminder of their permanence.
The shadows of the sun
The sun casts long shadows on the snow, creating a striking contrast.
The mighty struggle on the seas
The people in the Arctic region engage in a mighty struggle to survive on the seas.
A way of life is run
Their way of life is sustained by this struggle with the sea.
I'll sing for you my father
The artist promises to sing for his father and celebrate the ancient sacred ways of his people.
For the ancient sacred ways
The artist wants to honor the traditions and beliefs of his ancestors.
How the hunter loved the hunted
The hunter was not just a predator but also had a kinship with the animals he hunted.
How the night becomes the day
The cycle of day and night is an eternal one, and it represents the larger cycles of life and death.
The circle of the mighty spirit
The singer invokes the idea of a powerful spirit that envelops their community and protects them.
Keeps us in its fold
The spirit keeps them safe and united, like a loving family.
The warmth of understanding
There is a deep sense of mutual understanding and trust among the members of the community.
Like a light shot through the cold
This sense of understanding and trust is a beacon of hope in the harsh and unforgiving Arctic environment.
Then bring to me my people
The artist implores the spirit to bring back his people to their traditional ways.
Touch them with your loving hands
The singer wants the spirit to guide his people with love and compassion.
Lead them from confusion
The singer recognizes that his people are lost and confused, and he wants the spirit to show them the way.
Lead them back unto the land
The artist wants his people to return to their ancestral lands, where they can reconnect with their traditions and values.
For a sickness seems to block their path
The artist believes that his people are sick, both physically and spiritually, and this sickness prevents them from moving forward.
It clouds my peoples eyes
This sickness has blinded his people and prevents them from seeing the truth and the beauty around them.
The promise that an idle truth
The singer warns against the temptation of empty promises and false hopes.
Will reap a golden lie
This empty promise will only lead to disappointment and disillusionment.
The timeless hunt a journey back
The singer sees the hunting traditions of his people as a way to reconnect with their past and their values.
To what we once came from
Through this hunt, they can return to their roots and rediscover their identity and purpose.
Compassion and nobility
The singer values compassion, respect, and honor, which are key to their traditional ways of life.
Beneath the midnight sun
This traditional way of life is sustained even in the long days of summer, when the sun never sets.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Reservoir Media Management, Inc.
Written by: JOE HENRY, LEE HOLDRIDGE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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