Let me tell you a little story behind the song "Ten Years Gone" on our new album. I was working my ass off before joining Zeppelin. A lady I really dearly loved said, "Right. It's me or your fans." Not that I had fans, but I said, "I can't stop, I've got to keep going." She's quite content these days, I imagine. She's got a washing machine that works by itself and a little sports- car. We wouldn't have anything to say anymore. I could probably relate to her, but she couldn't relate to me. I'd be smiling too much. Ten years gone, I'm afraid. Anyway, there's a gamble for you.
In another interview, Plant credited Page with the song's intricate construction:
Jimmy is the man who is the music. He goes away to his house and works on it a lot and then brings it to the band in its skeletal state. Slowly everybody brings their personality into it. This new flower sort of grows out of it. "Ten Years Gone" was pain-stakingly pieced together from sections he'd written
Ten Years Gone
Led Zeppelin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And though the course may change sometimes
Rivers always reach the sea
Blind stars of fortune, each have several rays
On the wings of maybe, down in birds of prey
Kind of makes me feel sometimes, didn't have to grow
But as the eagle leaves the nest, it's got so far to go
In the midst I think of you, and how it used to be
Did you ever really need somebody
And really need 'em bad
Did you ever really want somebody
The best love you ever had
Do you ever remember me, baby
Did it feel so good
'Cause it was just the first time
And you knew you would
Through the eyes an' I sparkle
Senses growing keen
Taste your love along the way
See your feathers preen
Kind of makes makes me feel sometimes
Didn't have to grow
We are eagles of one nest
The nest is in our soul
Vixen in my dreams, with great surprise to me
Never thought I'd see your face
The way it used to be
Oh darlin', oh darlin'
I'm never gonna leave you
I never gonna leave
Holdin' on, ten years gone
Ten years gone, holdin' on, ten years gone
Ten years gone, holdin' on
The lyrics of Led Zeppelin's song Ten Years Gone are complex and open to interpretation. The song is about the passage of time and the changes it brings, both in our personal lives and in the world at large. The opening lines, "Then as it was, then again it will be, and though the course may change sometimes, rivers always reach the sea," suggest the cyclical nature of life and how eventually everything comes full circle. The song then moves on to explore the idea of fate and chance, with the line "Blind stars of fortune, each have several rays" referring to the idea that our destinies are shaped by a combination of luck and our own choices.
The chorus of the song is contemplative, with the singer reflecting on lost love and the passage of time. "Did you ever really need somebody, and really need 'em bad? Did you ever really want somebody, the best love you ever had?" he asks, before wondering if the person he is thinking of even remembers him. The third verse is the most abstract, with the singer describing his heightened senses and the feeling of flying like an eagle. The final verse brings the song full circle, with the singer declaring his love and his intention to hold on for another ten years.
Overall, Ten Years Gone is a song that celebrates the bittersweet nature of life, with all its joys and sorrows. It's a song about the passage of time, and the way that our experiences shape us into the people we are today.
Line by Line Meaning
Then as it was, then again it will be
The situations of the past repeat themselves in the future.
And though the course may change sometimes
Even though the path to get to the end goal may take unexpected turns, the end goal still remains the same.
Rivers always reach the sea
The passage of time will take one to their destiny and the goal will be fulfilled.
Blind stars of fortune, each have several rays
Fortune is unpredictable and can change at any time. It may have many possibilities, but only one is chosen.
On the wings of maybe, down in birds of prey
Uncertainty lies everywhere, even in the most precognitive things, just like in the case of the prey bird, where even the future of the sky is uncertain.
Kind of makes me feel sometimes, didn't have to grow
At times, one can feel like they did not need to go through the trials they did, in order to arrive at their destiny.
But as the eagle leaves the nest, it's got so far to go
As one begins to fulfil their destiny, they learn that the journey to arrive at their destiny is long and not an easy feat.
Changes fill my time, baby, that's alright with me
The changes in life that occur is something to embrace.
In the midst I think of you, and how it used to be
Amidst all of the changes, one can still think of where they came from and how they got to where they are now.
Did you ever really need somebody
Did you ever find yourself in a situation where you truly needed somebody in your life?
And really need 'em bad
Have you ever found yourself so desperately needing somebody in your life?
Did you ever really want somebody
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you truly wanted somebody in your life?
The best love you ever had
Have you ever had the sweetest love story ever?
Do you ever remember me, baby
Do you still keep memories of us, baby?
Did it feel so good
Did the memories of us together feel so good?
'Cause it was just the first time
The memories of the love story with us have been eternally implanted as the first time it ever happened.
And you knew you would
And deep inside, you knew that the love story had the potential to be magical.
Through the eyes an' I sparkle
Through my eyes, I shine.
Senses growing keen
My senses expand and become more sensitive.
Taste your love along the way
I am currently enjoying your love and will continue to enjoy it throughout my life.
See your feathers preen
I will watch you take care of yourself and enjoy that you take pride in yourself.
Kind of makes makes me feel sometimes
I am beginning to feel like I didn't need to go through the past yet again to arrive here.
Didn't have to grow
It feels like I didn't have to undergo the growth that I did, to arrive here.
We are eagles of one nest
We are together and one in this journey of life.
The nest is in our soul
The nest is within our spirits and deeply ingrained within us.
Vixen in my dreams, with great surprise to me
I had never imagined you in my dreams, but now that you are here, I am surprised and happy.
Never thought I'd see your face
I never envisaged seeing your face.
The way it used to be
Just like it was once before.
Oh darlin', oh darlin'
Oh my love, my love.
I'm never gonna leave you
I will always be here for you.
I never gonna leave
I am not going anywhere.
Holdin' on, ten years gone
Even though ten years have passed, I am still holding on to the love we share.
Ten years gone, holdin' on, ten years gone
Even though ten years have passed, I am still holding on to the love we share and the memories.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Debmeow
on No Quarter
Brilliant, a masterpiece.
robin
on Immigrant Song
i love this
Marie Fenouilliére
on Stairway to Heaven
j'adoreeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee