Gorka was born in Edison, New Jersey. He received his first guitar as a Christmas gift, though Gorka alleges that his older brother stole it from him shortly thereafter. He eventually learned, instead, to play the banjo, and began performing in a folk music group at his church.
Gorka attended Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania and joined the Razzy Dazzy Spasm Band which would also include guitarist Richard Shindell. He later began performing solo at the Godfrey Daniels coffee house as the opening act for various musicians that toured there. These included Nanci Griffith, Bill Morrissey, Claudia Schmidt and Jack Hardy.
In 1984, Gorka took first place at the Kerrville Folk Festival. Since then he has toured with artists such as Suzanne Vega, Shawn Colvin, Michael Manring, Christine Lavin, Dave Van Ronk, Cliff Eberhardt, David Massengill, Frank Christian and Lucy Kaplansky.
As of 2005, he was residing in the St. Croix Valley area near Saint Paul, Minnesota.
In 2008, Gorka decided to return to Europe for the first time in fourteen years. In October that year, he played four times in the Netherlands, he played live on VPRO radio and he did a session for the John Gorka video site.
In 2009, Gorka toured in the USA and also in Ireland and the Netherlands. In October that year, Red House Records released the CD "So Dark You See". This is considered a more intimate, vocal and guitar-centered record than the last two albums.
Wisdom
John Gorka Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's got the lonesomest howl of any dog in the pound
Wisdom persists,
Wisdom swings free
What once worked for you, will not work for me
Wisdom will stick, it's a permanent bond
It tends to resist all the scum in the pond
Wisdom hangs on
It's not like the news which is already gone
Wisdom resides between salt and sky
I'm too mean to quit or too dumb to try
It might come soon.
It sure comes slow
It's not all the facts, just what you need to know
Wisdom says so
Wisdom will fit, it won't use much space
Against all odds with no chemical trace
Wisdom hangs on, it knew your face when you were young
Wisdom arrives like a crude afterthought
It's modern value played down, because it cannot be bought
Wisdom will stick, adhere to your leg
It comes after the chicken, it's shaped like an egg
Wisdom's still free, but it doesn't come cheap
It's found in your dreams not on the nights you don't sleep
Wisdom persists, it has an elegant glow
It mostly consists of what you know you don't know
Wisdom hangs on, saves wear on your lip
It won't go to waste, it shoots from the hip
Wisdom will cry, it will follow a storm
Make your ice cream cone hard and you coffee urn warm
Wisdom exists, though it's not commonly found
It's got the lonesomest howl of any dog in the pound
Wisdom resides between salt and sky
I'm too mean to quit or too dumb to try
Wisdom and I
John Gorka wrote the song "Wisdom" which talks about the concept of wisdom and its significance in life. He believes that wisdom is not something which can be easily attained but can be found if one looks in the right places. The opening lyrics suggest that wisdom is rare and elusive as it is not commonly found by people. The metaphor of the "lonesomest howl of any dog in the pound" evokes a sense of sadness and isolation, which can be associated with the search for wisdom.
The second verse asserts that wisdom is persistent and can withstand the test of time. It is compared to the scum in the pond which it can resist whereas anything temporary like news disappears quickly. The third stanza talks about where wisdom resides, and Gorka believes that it lies between salt and sky, which can be interpreted in different ways. What is essential is that it is a place beyond human comprehension, difficult to understand, where knowledge is attained slowly, but it is worth the effort.
The fourth verse emphasizes that wisdom is not easy to get, and it's not just facts but what we need to know. Wisdom is both simple and complex in its application, and we don't often recognize it when it comes. The fifth verse emphasizes the permanence of wisdom with the use of the metaphor that it won't take much space, but it will stay. The verse ends with the observation that wisdom knows you better than you know yourself.
The song's last verse emphasizes that wisdom is free but not cheap, and it's not found in things, but it is present in our dreams. The references to ice cream cones and coffee urns add a sense of simplicity and everyday-ness to the meaning of the song. In essence, wisdom is an excellent tool for navigating life, making decisions, and seeking knowledge.
Line by Line Meaning
Wisdom exists though it's not commonly found
Wisdom is a rare commodity that is not easily stumbled upon
It's got the lonesomest howl of any dog in the pound
It is distinctive and unique
Wisdom persists
Wisdom endures
Wisdom swings free
Wisdom is free in its movement
What once worked for you, will not work for me
Experience does not necessarily translate to everyone in every situation
Wisdom will stick, it's a permanent bond
Wisdom has the ability to create a lasting impression
It tends to resist all the scum in the pond
It has the power to repel negativity
Wisdom will stay
Wisdom remains present
Wisdom hangs on
Wisdom clings to the person
It's not like the news which is already gone
It is not fleeting like current events
Wisdom resides between salt and sky
Wisdom is found in the space between the earth and sky
I'm too mean to quit or too dumb to try
I am stubborn and persistent
It might come soon.
Wisdom may arrive imminently
It sure comes slow
Wisdom often takes time to develop
It's not all the facts, just what you need to know; Wisdom says so
Wisdom focuses on the essential information rather than all the details
Wisdom will fit, it won't use much space
Wisdom is efficient in its use of space
Against all odds with no chemical trace
Wisdom is achieved without needing any external influences
Wisdom hangs on, it knew your face when you were young
Wisdom has the ability to remember and understand past experiences
Wisdom arrives like a crude afterthought
Wisdom often comes after the fact, too late to be useful
It's modern value played down, because it cannot be bought
Wisdom's value is underappreciated because it cannot be purchased
Wisdom will stick, adhere to your leg
Wisdom will stay with you, like an attachment to your body
It comes after the chicken, it's shaped like an egg
Wisdom is often unexpected and has a unique appearance
Wisdom's still free, but it doesn't come cheap
Wisdom is priceless, but it takes effort to obtain
It's found in your dreams not on the nights you don't sleep
It is more likely to be discovered when actively seeking knowledge and understanding
Wisdom persists, it has an elegant glow
Wisdom has a presence that is admirable and refined
It mostly consists of what you know you don't know
Wisdom is largely based on understanding what you do not yet understand
Wisdom hangs on, saves wear on your lip
Wisdom can save you from saying something you might regret
It won't go to waste, it shoots from the hip
Wisdom is practical and useful
Wisdom will cry, it will follow a storm
Wisdom understands the cyclical nature of life: sorrow follows joy
Make your ice cream cone hard and you coffee urn warm
Wisdom can enhance even small, everyday experiences
Wisdom and I
The singer acknowledges their connection to wisdom
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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