Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".[1] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on 6- and 12-string guitars.
From the Cradle to the Grave
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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About to go aground on desert sands
Feeling like an eagle losing motion
Tired of flying, ain't no where to land
Everyday's all the same
Same old ways, never change
Going from the cradle to the grave
I don't think I've ever felt so helpless
Always feeling like my hands are tied
Failure at most everything I've dealt with
Ruining most everything I've tried
Everyday's all the same
Same old ways, never change
Going from the cradle to the grave
And every day's all the same
Same always, never change
Going from the cradle to the grave
Running from my life at every moment
Never having time to catch my breath
Sometimes I wish this crazy race were over
The thought of living scares me half to death
And every day's all the same
Same always, never change
Going from the cradle to the grave
The song "From the Cradle to the Grave" by Leo Kottke is a poignant reflection on the human condition of feeling lost and helpless in life. The opening lines of the song, "Feeling like a ship out of the ocean, About to go aground on desert sands" suggests a sense of disorientation and feeling out of place. The metaphor of a ship out of the ocean carries the connotation of being lost at sea, without a sense of direction or purpose.
As the song progresses, Kottke expresses his frustration and weariness with the repetition and monotony of everyday life. He sings "Everyday's all the same, Same old ways, never change, Going from the cradle to the grave". The phrase "Going from the cradle to the grave" highlights the cyclical nature of life and the inevitability of death. The chorus also suggests a sense of resignation and acceptance of one's lot in life.
Towards the end of the song, the mood turns darker as Kottke sings about running from his life and feeling overwhelmed by the idea of living. He states, "Sometimes I wish this crazy race were over, The thought of living scares me half to death". The song captures the vulnerability and fragility of human existence, and the longing for meaning and purpose amidst the struggles and challenges of life.
Line by Line Meaning
Feeling like a ship out of the ocean
I feel lost and out of place, like a ship stranded in the desert.
About to go aground on desert sands
I feel like I am about to crash or fail, like a ship running aground on sand.
Feeling like an eagle losing motion
I feel helpless and stuck, like an eagle who can no longer fly.
Tired of flying, ain't no where to land
I am exhausted and have no place to rest or recover, like an eagle without a place to land.
Everyday's all the same
I am stuck in a rut and every day feels repetitive and monotonous.
Same old ways, never change
I feel trapped in my current situation and unable to make any meaningful changes in my life.
Going from the cradle to the grave
My life feels like an unstoppable journey from birth to death, without any significant purpose or meaning.
I don't think I've ever felt so helpless
I feel completely powerless and unable to control my life or circumstances.
Always feeling like my hands are tied
I feel restricted and unable to take any meaningful actions or make any significant changes.
Failure at most everything I've dealt with
I have not been successful at many things in my life, and my failures are weighing me down.
Ruining most everything I've tried
My attempts to succeed have often led to failure or negative consequences, which has made me feel discouraged and defeated.
Same always, never change
My life seems to be permanently stuck in a repetitive and unchanging cycle.
Running from my life at every moment
I feel like I am constantly trying to escape or avoid my problems and challenges, rather than confronting them directly.
Never having time to catch my breath
I am always busy or stressed, and I never have a chance to relax or take a break.
Sometimes I wish this crazy race were over
I feel overwhelmed and exhausted by the demands of my life, and sometimes I wish it would all just come to an end.
The thought of living scares me half to death
I am afraid of the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, and the thought of having to keep going scares me deeply.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: LEO KOTTKE, RON NAGLE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Mark Rogers
I had this album when I was 18 and listened to it all the time. I am now 62. Kottke's mastery of the 12-string guitar is matchless.
Stefan Mousiol
Same with me, Frankfurt/Germany😊
Noel Heaton
Same here. And I only play 6 strings.!
fausto r.
idem
Jeroen Huizinga
I had it when i was 19 . I am 63 now! 1976..I specially liked the song " from the Gradle to the Grave" As i am closer to my grave now it start makin even more sense God thats funny!
GRAEMETHRGOOD
I love this song but the words are very depressing. I love the line “the thought of living scares me half to death”! I have just come through a very difficult time and that verse in a strange way really helped me. I am glad to have run this race, the dance of life is a beautiful swing and I have been greatfull to God who has given me this beautiful dance and helped me with it. I Love Leo Kottke and his music.
Linda Krajewski
To me, it's that combination of upbeat music with the dark lyrics that gives the song much of its appeal. I know that I have had moments like this where it seems everything should be going right but it's not -- and I am the common denominator.
Mark Rogers
I understand where you are coming from. Music like Kottke's echoes the soul.
Kirk Hepburn
Very nice. Thank you for sharing a piece of your life experience. Inspiring
Mark Rogers
This was the first album I bought in Perth in 1975. Brilliant. I had never heard anyone play a 12 string guitar like this!