At the age of 14 (1957) Danko booked himself as an opening act for ronnie hawkins, & his band The Hawks. Hawkins asked Danko to join his band as a rythym guitarist, though later he would have Danko learn the bass, and by 1960 was Hawkins' bassist.
Around 1963 The Hawks broke away from Hawkins and the members (including Danko) would go on to continue as the Levon Helm Sextet (later renamed to The Canadian Squires and Levon and the Hawks).
In 1965, Bob Dylan recruited Levon and the Hawks to accompany him on his 1965/66 wold tour. However, Levon Helm chose not to tour with Dylan and was replaced on the tour by drummer Mickey Jones. In 1968, Danko and The Hawks, who had moved to Woodstock, where they began to be referred to as simply "the band," began recording with Dylan in the basement of a big pink house that Danko had rented (and which would soon become famous on its on as "Big Pink"). With Levon Helm back in the fold, they also released their first demo, allowing them to secure a record deal with Capitol Records. Working over the next few months, the five-piece band recorded what would become their debut album, Music From Big Pink. At this time, the group more or less officially changed their name from The Hawks to The Band, this time with a capital "B." Shortly after the album was released, Danko was seriously injured in a car crash, breaking his neck and back in nine places. Though he was laid up in traction for many weeks, he recovered and worked with The Band until 1976, when the group did their final concert at San Francisco's Winterland. The film of the concert, directed by Martin Scorsese, was released as "The Last Waltz" in 1978.
Danko would go on to record solo work on Arista Records, releasing his first solo work in 1977 (his self-titled debut). In the early 1990s, Danko teamed with Jonas Fjeld and Eric Andersen and three albums were released, Danko/Fjeld/Andersen in 1991, Ridin' on the Blinds in 1994, and One More Shot in 2001. Danko released a live album in 1997 (Rick Danko in Concert), and, in 1999, he released Live on Breeze Hill, which featured a new studio version of his much-loved song, "Sip the Wine" (the original version was on his first studio album) and was already working on material for his next work called Times Like These. On December 10, 1999, Danko's heart gave out and he passed away in his sleep. Times Like These was released posthumously the following year.
Ripple
Rick Danko Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
With the gold of sunshine
And my tunes were played
On the harps unstrung
Would you hear my voice
Come through the music?
Would you hold it near
It's a hand me down
The thoughts are broken
Perhaps they're better
Left unsung
I don't know
Don't really care
Let there be songs
To fill the air
And ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
Reach out your hand
If your cup be empty
If your cup is full
May it be again
Let it be known
There is a fountain
That was not made
By the hands of men
There's a road
No simple highway
Between to the dawn
And the dark of night
But if you go
No one may follow
That path is for
Your steps alone
Ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
And you who choose
To lead must follow
But if you fall
You'll fall all alone
If you should stand
Then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way
I would take you home
In Rick Danko's song "Ripple," he explores the power of music and how it can connect people. The opening lines, "If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine, And my tunes were played on the harps unstrung," are an invocation of sorts, suggesting that if he could use his words and music to convey pure emotion and truth, he could reach his listeners in a deeper way. The repetition of the word "ripple" throughout the song suggests that music can create waves of emotion that spread outward and touch many people.
Throughout the song, Danko speaks to the power of music to transcend language and cultural barriers. The lines "Would you hear my voice come through the music? Would you hold it near as it were your own?" suggest that even if the lyrics are difficult to understand, the emotion conveyed through the music itself can still resonate with listeners. He also suggests that music can be a shared experience that brings people together, as seen in the lines "Let there be songs to fill the air" and "reach out your hand if your cup be empty."
Danko also touches on themes of self-discovery and individuality, as seen in the lines "There's a road no simple highway between the dawn and the dark of night, but if you go no one may follow, that path is for your steps alone." These lines suggest that each person must find their path in life, even if it may not be the popular or well-trodden one. The final lines, "If I knew the way I would take you home," suggest that even though life may be a journey fraught with difficulties and uncertainties, music can provide solace and comfort along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
If my words did glow
With the gold of sunshine
If my words were radiant and positive with the liveliness of sunshine.
And my tunes were played
On the harps unstrung
If my music was soothing enough to play on a harp with broken strings.
Would you hear my voice
Come through the music?
Would you notice and appreciate the messages that come through my music?
Would you hold it near
As it were your own?
Would you embrace my music so tightly as if you had created it yourself?
It's a hand me down
The thoughts are broken
The inspiration for this music has been passed down, but the ideas have been tampered with.
Perhaps they're better
Left unsung
Maybe it would have been better if these thoughts were never taken into a song.
I don't know
Don't really care
The singer is unsure and unconcerned.
Let there be songs
To fill the air
The singer is hoping that there will be music for everyone to enjoy.
And ripple in still water
When there is no pebble tossed
Nor wind to blow
The impact of these songs will be felt, even when there is no clear cause and effect behind them.
Reach out your hand
If your cup be empty
If you are in need, don't hesitate to ask for help.
If your cup is full
May it be again
If you are content with what you have, you may have even more.
Let it be known
There is a fountain
That was not made
By the hands of men
Nature is wondrous and can be divine without our interference.
There's a road
No simple highway
Between to the dawn
And the dark of night
There is a complex journey that lies ahead of us, filled with ups and downs.
But if you go
No one may follow
That path is for
Your steps alone
Ultimately, we all walk our own paths in life, regardless of how lonely or isolating it may get.
And you who choose
To lead must follow
But if you fall
You'll fall all alone
Leaders must first follow in the footsteps of their predecessors, and yet when they fail, their isolation becomes clearer.
If you should stand
Then who's to guide you?
If I knew the way
I would take you home
At times, it may be necessary to stand up and lead without guidance. 'If I knew the way, I would take you home' is a sign of support and encouragement to those who may be struggling to find their way.
Contributed by Joseph H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brian E. Reinecke
Rick had such a unique and special voice. Well done. He and Richard Manuel must be singing up a storm with Janis and everyone else. You are missed!
Mike Monchuk
That's quite the choir they have up in heaven. Hopefully we'll hear them again later on down the road. So thankful we got the chance to hear them down here. Feeling Blessed.
ExpatBlues
Still one the best voices EVER in music. RIP Mr. Danko
Mike Monchuk
Mr. Danko was one of three majestic voices in one single group. The Band. God Bless Rik, Richard and Levon. Three of the best voices ever to sing on record, period. They definitely don't come around every day and time will tell. RIP song birds. Forever in our hearts and ears.
Dwayne Jessome
@Mike Monchuk beautiful voice - I've always said my three favourite vocalists are Chris Whitley, Ronnie James Dio, And Rick Danko - all over the map - I know - but those are the ones that hit me in the heart the most directly. obviously love Richard and Levon!!!
Ann Pianetta
Best rendition of Ripple ever!
Kerry Drew
Rick was a beautiful musical man, which no one can deny!
tiemyshoes92
absolutley beautiful voice Rick Danko has. just wish i couldve saw him and the band in person atleast we have the music still here with us
professorlouie Hurwitz
Loved recording and signing with Rick on this tune! The Best.....Marie & Louie
Liz S
I still love this song. Rick's voice is so perfect. I could listen to him over and over.