Follow
Richie Havens Lyrics

Let the river rock you like a cradle
Allow yourself to be soothed and comforted by the gentle movements of the river.

Climb to the treetops, child, if you're able
Ascend to the heights of the trees, if you have the ability to do so.

Let your hands tie a knot across the table.
Connect with others across the table through physical touch.

Come and touch the things you cannot feel.
Experience the intangible and elusive aspects of life through touch.

And close your fingertips and fly where I can't hold you
Use your own agency and imagination to soar beyond my grasp.

Let the sun-rain fall and let the dewy clouds enfold you
Open yourself up to the unpredictable and changing nature of the elements around you.

And maybe you can sing to me the words I just told you,
Reflect on and communicate the meaning of the words I have shared with you through song.

If all the things you feel ain't what they seem.
Recognize the potential for perceptions to be misleading or illusory.

And don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream.
Don't be concerned with my physical presence, as I exist only in your imagination.

The mocking bird sings each different song
The mockingbird displays its versatility by singing a variety of songs.

Each song has wings - they won't stay long.
Each expression of creativity has a fleeting nature and cannot be held onto forever.

Do those who hear think he's doing wrong?
Is the mockingbird criticized for its divergent style of singing?

While the church bell tolls its one-note song
The church bell rings out with a simple and repetitive sound.

And the school bell is tinkling to the throng.
The school bell signals a gathering of people.

Come here where your ears cannot hear.
Move to a space where you are free from the noise and distractions of everyday life.

And close your eyes, child, and listen to what I'll tell you
Focus on my words and absorb their meaning through active listening.

Follow in the darkest night the sounds that may impel you
Allow the sounds you hear to lead and motivate you, even in the midst of darkness and uncertainty.

And the song that I am singing may disturb or serve to quell you
The song I sing could provoke you or bring you peace, depending on how it resonates with you.

If all the sounds you hear ain't what they seem,
Acknowledge the potential for sounds to be misleading or trick the senses.

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream
Remember that my existence is purely imaginary, so don't let my words overly influence you.

The rising smell of fresh-cut grass
Experience the distinct aroma of freshly cut grass.

Smothered cities choke and yell with fuming gas
Cities are suffocated with noxious air pollutants which harmfully affect their inhabitants.

I hold some grapes up to the sun
I offer the grapes up to the sun as an offering.

And their flavour breaks upon my tongue.
As I taste the grapes, the flavor explodes in my mouth.

With eager tongues we taste our strife
We embrace the challenges in our lives with a sense of enthusiasm and hunger.

And fill our lungs with seas of life.
We breathe in deeply to absorb and appreciate the richness of life.

Come taste and smell the waters of our time.
Experience the intangible and elusive qualities of our current era through tasting and smelling.

And close your lips, child, so softly I might kiss you,
Quietly close your lips so that I may tenderly kiss you.

Let your flower perfume out and let the winds caress you.
Allow the fragrance of the natural world to envelop you as you feel the touch of the wind.

As I walk through the garden, I am hoping I don't miss you
While walking through the garden, I am eager to connect with you and hope not to pass you by unknowingly.

If all the things you taste ain't what they seem,
Acknowledge that perceptions can be illusory or inaccurate, especially when related to taste.

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream .
Reiterate that my presence is purely imaginary, and encourage the listener not to be overly influenced by my words.

The sun and moon both arise
The natural cycles of day and night continue unceasingly.

And we'll see them soon through days and nights
We will witness the celestial orb of the sun and the glowing sphere of the moon during both daytime and nighttime.

But now silver leaves are mirrors, bring delights.
The silver leaves reflect and shimmer, bringing joy and delight to the observer.

And the colours of your eyes are fiery bright,
The colors in your eyes are intense and vivid, like flames.

While darkness blinds the skies with all its light.
The darkness of night obscures the stars and other celestial light sources.

Come see where your eyes cannot see.
Experience and explore the hidden and enigmatic realities of existence that are beyond what your eyes can reveal.

And close your eyes, child, and look at what I'll show you;
Close your eyes and direct your attention to what I am going to reveal to you.

Let your mind go reeling out and let the breezes blow you,
Allow your mind to wander freely and be carried by the winds of change and possibility.

And maybe when we meet then suddenly I will know you.
If we meet in person, there is the possibility that I will recognize you immediately.

If all the things you see ain't what they seem,
Recognize that appearances can be deceiving or misrepresentative.

Then don't mind me 'cos I ain't nothin' but a dream .
Reiterate that my existence is only in the imagination and that the listener should not put too much stock in my words.

And you can follow; And you can follow; follow...
Encourage the listener to actively pursue their curiosity and desires, always moving forward.