Born to two neuroscientists, Ritter bought his first guitar from the local K-MART after hearing the Bob Dylan and Johnny Cash classic Girl From The North Country. He started at Oberlin College with the intent to follow in his parents' scientist footsteps, but instead discovered songwriting, and the music of artists like Gillian Welch, Townes Van Zandt, and Leonard Cohen. He graduated and then moved east, favoring its close proximity to historic folk clubs such as "Club Passim" in Boston. On a shoestring budget he recorded his critically acclaimed breakthrough album Golden Age of Radio in 2002 at various tiny, one-room studios on the East Coast. He has continued to grow from there, further developing his sound on subsequent albums.
Josh has recorded several records and E.P.s. In chronological order, they are:
Josh Ritter (Self Titled) (2000)
Golden Age of Radio (2001)
Come and Find Me EP (2003)
Hello Starling (2003)
4 Songs Live E.P. (2005)
The Animal Years (2006)
Girl In The War E.P. (2006)
Good Man E.P. (2006)
In The Dark: Live At Vicar Street (2006)
The Historical Conquests Of Josh Ritter (2007)
Live at the Record Exchange EP (2008)
So Runs the World Away (2010)
To the Yet Unknowing World (2011)
Josh Ritter & The Royal City Band, Live at The Iveagh Gardens (April 2011)
The Beast In Its Tracks (2013)
Acoustic Live, Vol.1 (2015)
Sermon on the Rocks (2015)
Bonfire
Josh Ritter Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep a candle burning on the corner you kissed.
One day I might die, until then there's too much to do
But I'll keep a bonfire for you.
I've seen the pretty boys that you're keeping around
I know how it goes, I've got a girl in town.
And she likes me enough to do what I like to do.
Let the other lovers talk about who carries the torch
Let them talk about the beauty that they carry it for
Let the other lovers talk about who got what
And who got burned and who got cut
I'll be in the orchard when you get tired
Day after day of the shouts from the choir
Eating the apples and eating the peaches, too
And waiting by my bonfire for you.
In the dark anybody will do for love
But you're the only one I want when the sun comes up
No burning ball of fire set in the sky will do
Next to my bonfire for you.
Let the other lovers talk about who carries the torch
Let them talk about the beauty that they carry it for
Let the other lovers talk about who got what
And who got burned and who got cut
I need a little motion, need a little relief
I get a little lonely at the end of the week
And I want it so bad and if you want it so bad, too
I'll be over here with my bonfire for you.
You got a lot of lovers with star-crossed wrists
They keep a candle burning on the corner you kissed.
One day I might die, until then there's too much to do
But I'll keep a bonfire for you.
The song "Bonfire" by Josh Ritter is a love song that expresses the longing and devotion of one person to another. The singer is aware that the subject of the song is being courted by others and they have a lot of lovers with star-crossed wrists, suggesting they are involved with tattooing or other unconventional beauty treatments. Yet, despite this fact, the singer expresses his dedication and loyalty to the subject by keeping a "bonfire" for her. A "bonfire" in this context can represent a number of things, such as a literal fire that burns, or it might represent a symbol for love or a flame that is kept burning even when the object of affection is not present.
Throughout the song, Ritter compares his love for this person with the other lovers who wish to carry the torch for her, and the singer isn't bothered about the other suitors. Instead, he will continue to wait by his "bonfire" for her until she gets tired of the other lovers and comes to him in the orchard. The song suggests a deep underlying affection – one that is kept hidden from the public and that is not flashy or theatrical, as is the case with the other lovers.
One possible interpretation of the song is that it can be read as a protest against the popular trend of associating love with fame and material success. While others might be content to put on a show of their devotion, the singer remains loyal despite not receiving any public recognition. The song emphasizes that the love between two people is most potent when it is kept simple and quiet.
Line by Line Meaning
You got a lot of lovers with star-crossed wrists
You have many lovers whose fateful love story involves them crossing their wrists to symbolize a connection.
They keep a candle burning on the corner you kissed.
These lovers keep a flame burning on the spot where you gave them a memorable kiss.
One day I might die, until then there's too much to do
I may perish eventually, but there is still so much left for me to experience and accomplish in life.
But I'll keep a bonfire for you.
Nevertheless, I will keep a fire burning specifically for you.
I've seen the pretty boys that you're keeping around
I am aware of the attractive young men who you are seeing.
I know how it goes, I've got a girl in town.
I am familiar with the pattern of casual dating as I myself have a girlfriend in town.
And she likes me enough to do what I like to do.
My girlfriend accommodates my interests and desires.
But, I'll keep a bonfire for you.
Despite my girlfriend, I will still maintain my flame specifically dedicated to you.
Let the other lovers talk about who carries the torch
Let other lovers boast about who holds the power in their relationship.
Let them talk about the beauty that they carry it for
Let them brag about the person they're in love with.
Let the other lovers talk about who got what
Let them discuss who got what from their relationships.
And who got burned and who got cut
And who got hurt and who got left behind.
I'll be in the orchard when you get tired
I'll be waiting in the orchard for you to come over when you're done with your other lovers.
Day after day of the shouts from the choir
Every day, I hear the noise and opinions from others who have something to say about romantic affairs.
Eating the apples and eating the peaches, too
I pass the time by indulging in apples and peaches from the orchard.
And waiting by my bonfire for you.
And waiting for you to arrive at my designated bonfire spot.
In the dark anybody will do for love
In the dark, people will latch on to anyone for the sake of love.
But you're the only one I want when the sun comes up
But I only desire you when daylight returns.
No burning ball of fire set in the sky will do
No celestial object in the sky can match the significance of my bonfire for you.
Next to my bonfire for you.
By my side next to my bonfire dedicated to you.
I need a little motion, need a little relief
I require some sort of activity or change to alleviate my current state of mind.
I get a little lonely at the end of the week
I sometimes feel lonely once the week comes to a close.
And I want it so bad and if you want it so bad, too
I crave companionship and intimacy, and if you have the same yearning,
I'll be over here with my bonfire for you.
I'll be here waiting with my bonfire specifically dedicated to you.
You got a lot of lovers with star-crossed wrists
Once again referencing the other lovers you have with star-crossed wrists.
They keep a candle burning on the corner you kissed.
Their candle still flickers on the spot where you once kissed.
One day I might die, until then there's too much to do
Repeating an earlier lyric that emphasizes the amount of living yet to be done before potentially dying.
But I'll keep a bonfire for you.
Continuing to maintain a symbolic flame dedicated solely to you.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: JOSH RITTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Fereydoun AliZadeh
One of best music 🎶 love it
Jenny Benjamin
I love this song!
Michael Adams
great tune Josh!!
Michael Z-C
Song of the day 17/10/2016: I wake up, rise to the sun, I go to work and I come back home; one day I might die until then there too much to do. And if i die before I've done it all, then be the one to light the pyre at my bonfire funeral
EnosEverything
Sounds quite a little like Paul Simon on this song.