Medicine Man
Michael Martin Murphey Lyrics
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I rode here today
Through badlands and black hills
I came a long way
Hear me now old man
I ask you to say
A prayer for two people
Medicine Man, I ask you to sing for us
A dance, a chant to put us in a trance
Medicine Man, lift up your voice tonight
And pass the pipe of Everlasting Light
Seashells and old spells, and ribbons and smoke
The claw of the eagle, your handwoven cloak
Make old what is new now, and make new what is old
And unleash the power of your thunderbolt
Medicine Man, I ask you to sing for us
A dance, a chant to put us in a trance
Medicine Man, lift up your voice tonight
And pass the pipe of Everlasting Light
In Michael Murphey's song "Medicine Man", the singer is calling upon a medicine man to perform a ritual to bring about healing and spiritual awakening. The lyrics suggest that the journey to reach the medicine man has been a long and treacherous one. The line "my soul is my pony" could be interpreted as a metaphor for the inner strength and resilience required to make it through difficult times. The singer is seeking help not only for themselves but also for two other people, indicating a selfless concern for the well-being of others.
The ritual described in the song involves various symbolic elements such as seashells, spells, ribbons, and smoke. The prayer and chant performed by the medicine man are intended to put the participants in a trance-like state that will allow them to connect with a higher power and access the healing energy of the universe. The final line about passing the pipe of everlasting light suggests that the ritual has a profound and long-lasting impact on those who participate.
Overall, "Medicine Man" is a spiritual and introspective song that celebrates the power of ritual and community in bringing about healing and transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
My soul is my pony
I am in control of my own journey and destiny
I rode here today
I have traveled a long and difficult path to get here
Through badlands and black hills
My journey has been filled with hardship and obstacles
I came a long way
I have come a great distance both physically and spiritually
Hear me now old man
I seek your wisdom and guidance
I ask you to say a prayer for two people in your Sundance way
I request that you pray for the well-being of two individuals who are important to me
Medicine Man, I ask you to sing for us
I humbly request that you use your special abilities to help us
A dance, a chant to put us in a trance
I am seeking a spiritual experience that will bring us clarity and insight
Lift up your voice tonight
In this moment of need, I am asking you to use your voice to convey your power and strength
And pass the pipe of Everlasting Light
I ask that you share with us the source of your spiritual power
Seashells and old spells, and ribbons and smoke
I understand the symbolic significance of the items you use in your practices
The claw of the eagle, your handwoven cloak
The artifacts you use carry a special spiritual significance
Make old what is new now, and make new what is old
I believe that you have the power to bring about transformation and renewal in our lives
And unleash the power of your thunderbolt
I have faith that you can summon the power necessary to help us in our time of need
Contributed by Layla T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.