"...an artist of such raw talent, ambition and good will... Phillips' main attraction is still his voice. Reedy and flexible, with a remarkable falsetto, it is a potent dramatic instrument. " that's what Rolling Stone Magazine had to say about Shawn Phillips, a musician whose work literally fits into no category.
Shawn Phillips has almost twenty albums to his credit (of which millions have been sold) and a host of associations with some of the most respected names in the industry including Donovan, Paul Buckmaster, J Peter Robinson, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood and many others, yet he is virtually forgotten except by his cadre of loyal fans. The Texas-born singer/songwriter was called "The best kept secret in the music business," by the late rock impresario Bill Graham.
Beginning in the 1960s, Phillips made noteworthy contributions to popular music. He performed at the "Isle of Wight" festival and was cast to play the lead in the original production of "Jesus Christ Superstar" (he had to withdraw due to his heavy recording and touring schedule.)
Throughout the 60s Phillips worked the folk music scene in San Francisco's Haight-Ashbury, New York's Greenwich Village, and London. In 1967 Phillips moved to Positano, Italy, where he remained throughout the 1970s, writing some of his most well known work. This period produced the albums 'Contribution', 'Second Contribution', 'Collaboration' and 'Faces".
Four of his albums "Faces," "Bright White," "Furthermore" and "Do You Wonder" made it into the Billboard Top 100. In addition, the singles, "Lost Horizon," "We" and "Woman" made Billboard's top 40. One of the most sought after Christmas songs is Phillips' 1970 45rpm release of "A Christmas Song" on A&M 1238. The track is now available on the re-issue of Faces.
His latest album, 'No Category' featuring his longtime collaborators Paul Buckmaster and Peter Robinson was released in 2002.
Today Shawn lives in Port Elizabeth, South Africa dividing his time between writing, touring, and his work as an emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter.
Official Shawn Phillips website : www.shawnphillips.com
Shawn Phillips Merchandise can be purchased here: http://www.zazzle.com/shawnphillips_emh
I'm A Loner
Shawn Phillips Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, I've sat 'neath the shade of an old apple orchard
And watched the big trucks rolling by
I've shared a grape soda with a man from Dakota
And seen a June bug in July
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
Then some stranger will lower me downWell, I've slept in your rains and I've slept in your hails
I've screamed out my hurt while I've slept in your jails
I've heard the lone wail of a slow eastbound freighter
Then wished I could die to go meet my saviour
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me downWell, I've been lead the ships that sail out of your harbors
I've shared silent thoughts with your children and barbers
I've sung to the stars while a jukebox was playin'
And fought back the tears that come when I am sayin'
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me downI've made love in your cities to the poor and the pretty
Then thought myself lucky and smart
And then ended up lonely with nothin' but only
A song and a half broken heart
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down
(final verse added by Shawn Phillips)
Well, I've played basketball through the hoop of a barrel
And struggled to learn how to swim
And once was a baby sometimes I think maybe
I only pretend I was him
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
And then some stranger will lower me down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
The lyrics to Shawn Phillips's song "I'm a Loner" tell the story of a nomadic figure who has traveled far and wide, experiencing the highs and lows of life on the road. He has witnessed the passing of time and witnessed the beauty of nature, such as sitting "beneath the shade of an old apple orchard" and watching "a June bug in July." However, he admits to being a "drifter" and a "loner," seemingly without a fixed home or sense of belonging.
The song further depicts the loneliness and despair of the singer, who has endured hardships such as sleeping "in your rains" and "screaming out [his] hurt" while in jail. He has made love to many, and suffered the consequences of heartbreak, ending up with "nothin' but only a song and a half broken heart." The final verse added by Shawn Phillips speaks directly to the listener, revealing that even as a child, the singer may have been pretending to be someone else. This line speaks to the universal feeling of wanting to escape oneself and one's circumstances, and feeling lost and disconnected from others.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I've sat 'neath the shade of an old apple orchard
I have spent time in peaceful environments.
And watched the big trucks rolling by
I have observed the busy world around me.
I've shared a grape soda with a man from Dakota
I have had simple, pleasant experiences with strangers.
And seen a June bug in July
I have witnessed the random, unexpected events of life.
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
I am an independent person who moves from place to place.
And I've seen every village and town
I have traveled extensively and seen many different places.
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
I will ultimately end up wherever life takes me and find peace in that.
Then some stranger will lower me down
I will be buried somewhere by people who didn't really know me.
Well, I've slept in your rains and I've slept in your hails
I have endured harsh weather conditions for the sake of travel.
I've screamed out my hurt while I've slept in your jails
I have been in bad situations and expressed my emotions.
I've heard the lone wail of a slow eastbound freighter
I have experienced the haunting sounds of transportation.
Then wished I could die to go meet my saviour
I have had moments of desperation and longing for escape.
I've been lead the ships that sail out of your harbors
I have been involved in various types of transportation.
I've shared silent thoughts with your children and barbers
I have connected with people in small, everyday interactions.
I've sung to the stars while a jukebox was playin'
I have found joy in simple activities like singing and music.
And fought back the tears that come when I am sayin'
I have felt sadness and tried to conceal it.
I've made love in your cities to the poor and the pretty
I have had romantic experiences with different kinds of people.
Then thought myself lucky and smart
I have felt confident and proud of myself.
And then ended up lonely with nothin' but only
I have experienced disappointment and loneliness.
A song and a half broken heart
I have expressed my emotions through music and experienced heartbreak.
Well, I've played basketball through the hoop of a barrel
I have found creative ways to have fun.
And struggled to learn how to swim
I have faced challenges and worked hard to overcome them.
And once was a baby sometimes I think maybe
I have reflected on my own past and origins.
I only pretend I was him
I acknowledge that my childhood self is gone, and I often look back nostalgically.
And then some stranger will lower me down
I will die alone and out of control of what ultimately happens to me.
Contributed by Ella P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@debbieswanson6057
WOW!!!!! Never heard Sean from waay back! A friend turned me onto him in 75.
LBallad was first album of his I purchased....
@dannyboy6114
I've just got this lp for next to nothing in mint condition.
@MrDanielphenix
This album is fantastic!
@yukonnoka
thanks for uploading this...its super hard to find!
@utzuckz
@athegriz1 -- do a YouTube search and you'll find others from the same album, which is one of the early 60's folk classics -- every track sparkles!
@syaifinnuha7304
Well, I've sat 'neath the shade of an old apple orchard
And watched the big trucks rolling by
I've shared a grape soda with a man from Dakota
And seen a June bug in July
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me downWell, I've slept in your rains and I've slept in your hails
I've screamed out my hurt while I've slept in your jails
I've heard the lone wail of a slow eastbound freighter
Then wished I could die to go meet my saviour
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me downWell, I've been lead the ships that sail out of your harbors
I've shared silent thoughts with your children and barbers
I've sung to the stars while a jukebox was playin'
And fought back the tears that come when I am sayin'
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me downI've made love in your cities to the poor and the pretty
Then thought myself lucky and smart
And then ended up lonely with nothin' but only
A song and a half broken heart
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
Then some stranger will lower me down
(final verse added by Shawn Phillips)
Well, I've played basketball through the hoop of a barrel
And struggled to learn how to swim
And once was a baby sometimes I think maybe
I only pretend I was him
I'm a drifter, oh Lord, I'm a loner
And I've seen every village and town
I've passed by here and, oh Lord, I'll die here
And then some stranger will lower me down
Down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down
@MikeBridges88
Anyone have the chords for this song? Cannot figure it out for the life of me
@debbieswanson6057
What year is this from?