Woodstock
R.Mitchell Lyrics
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He was walking along the road
And I asked him, where are you going
And this he told me
I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm
I'm going to join in a rock 'n' roll band
I'm going to camp out on the land
I'm going to try an' get my soul free
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
Then can I walk beside you
I have come here to lose the smog
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Or maybe it's the time of man
I don't know who l am
But you know life is for learning
We are stardust
We are golden
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
By the time we got to Woodstock
We were half a million strong
And everywhere there was song and celebration
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
Riding shotgun in the sky
And they were turning into butterflies
Above our nation
We are stardust
Billion year old carbon
We are golden
Caught in the devil's bargain
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
R. Mitchell's "Woodstock" is an iconic song that speaks of the counterculture movement of the 1960s. The song describes Mitchell's encounter with a man who was walking along the road, and when asked where he was headed, the man indicated that he was headed to Yasgur's farm. He was seeking to join a rock 'n' roll band, camp out on the land, and try to set his soul free. The song speaks of the hope that prevailed during the Woodstock festival, with people coming from all walks of life to celebrate music and life, and the notion that people would be able to find themselves and reconnect with nature.
The lyrics of the song are infused with poetic language, speaking of stardust, Golden Age, and the devil's bargain. The idea of stardust and the reference to the biblical Garden of Eden symbolize the longing for a simpler life, a time when people lived in harmony with nature, and they were in touch with their spiritual selves. During the Woodstock festival, there was a sense of unity and a shared purpose that transcended race, class, gender, and nationality. People from all over the world came together to rejoice in music and to demonstrate against the Vietnam War.
The song draws on the collective experience of the Woodstock festival and serves as a rallying cry for those who believe that a better world is possible if only we can return to the garden. The garden represents a space where we can be at peace with ourselves, with each other, and with the world around us. This song has become an anthem for a generation and continues to inspire people to come together in the name of peace, love, and music.
Line by Line Meaning
I came upon a child of God
I met a person who seemed divine
He was walking along the road
He was traveling a path
And I asked him, where are you going
I inquired about his destination
And this he told me
He answered my question
I'm going on down to Yasgur's farm
I'm headed to Yasgur's farm
I'm going to join in a rock 'n' roll band
I'm planning to be part of a music group
I'm going to camp out on the land
I'll be sleeping in the open air
I'm going to try an' get my soul free
I hope to gain spiritual liberation
We are stardust
We are made of cosmic matter
We are golden
We are precious and valuable
And we've got to get ourselves
We need to take action
Back to the garden
To return to our natural state
Then can I walk beside you
May I accompany you
I have come here to lose the smog
I'm here to escape pollution and negativity
And I feel to be a cog in something turning
I sense that I am part of a larger movement
Well maybe it is just the time of year
Perhaps it's simply the season
Or maybe it's the time of man
Or it could be a point in human history
I don't know who l am
I am unsure of my identity
But you know life is for learning
But I am aware that life is a process of education
By the time we got to Woodstock
When we arrived at Woodstock
We were half a million strong
We were a large and powerful group
And everywhere there was song and celebration
Music and festivity was present everywhere
And I dreamed I saw the bombers
I had a vision of military aircraft
Riding shotgun in the sky
Flying as escorts in the heavens
And they were turning into butterflies
And they changed into beautiful insects
Above our nation
Over our country
Billion year old carbon
Ancient carbon molecules
Caught in the devil's bargain
Trapped in an unfair deal
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, O/B/O CAPASSO, RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: Joni Mitchell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind