Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
John Riley
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Strange young man came riding by
Saying fair young maid, will you marry me
This then, sir, was her reply
Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
For I've a love who sails the deep salt sea
Though he's been gone these seven years
What if he's died all in some battle slain
Or if he's drowned in, in the deep salt sea
What if he's found some other love
He and his new love both married be
If he's found some other love
He and his new love both married be
I wish them health and happiness
Where they have dwelled all across the sea
He picked her up all in his arms
And kisses gave her one, two and three
Then weep no more, my own true love
I am your long lost John Riley
Saying weep no more, my own true love
For I'm your long lost John Riley
The Byrds’ song “John Riley" is a romantic tale about a fair young maiden who meets a stranger while she is tending to her garden. The young man asks the maid whether she will marry him, but she rejects his offer, stating that she already has a love who has been absent for seven years at sea. The stranger counters, asking what if her love has perished or fallen in love with somebody else. The young lady replies, stating that if that is the case, she wishes health and happiness to her love, wherever he may be.
The stranger, now aware of the situation, picks up the maiden in his arms, kisses her three times, and tells her that he is, in fact, her long-lost love John Riley. The song is a story about love, loss, and reunion. The Byrds' interpretation of the traditional ballad, which features banjo, mandolin, and guitar, gives the tale an earthy, almost folky sound that suits the song's theme of love's endurance. The rhythm of the song is kept simple and straightforward, allowing the listener to focus on the lyrics and the emotions that the story evokes.
Line by Line Meaning
Fair young maid all in her garden
A beautiful girl was in her garden
Strange young man came riding by
A stranger man came riding by
Saying fair young maid, will you marry me
He asked the girl if she would marry him
This then, sir, was her reply
She replied to him
Oh no, kind sir, I cannot marry thee
She politely declines his proposal
For I've a love who sails the deep salt sea
She loves a man who is a sailor
Though he's been gone these seven years
Her love has been away for seven years
Still no man shall marry me
She is still waiting for her love to come back
What if he's died all in some battle slain
She wonders if her lover has died in battle
Or if he's drowned in, in the deep salt sea
She wonders if he drowned during his sail
What if he's found some other love
She considers the possibility of him falling in love with someone else
He and his new love both married be
If he is married to someone else
I wish them health and happiness
She wishes them well
Where they have dwelled all across the sea
Wherever they may have gone
He picked her up all in his arms
He lifted her up
And kisses gave her one, two and three
He kissed her multiple times
Then weep no more, my own true love
He comforted her and told her not to cry anymore
I am your long lost John Riley
He revealed himself as her long-lost love
Saying weep no more, my own true love
He repeats his comforting words
For I'm your long lost John Riley
He reiterates that he is her true love
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, ACUM Ltd.
Written by: Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Noel Salisbury, from England
I always have my eyes brimming with tears , listening to this masterpiece. Thankyou DC & RMg & I hope you two make music together again- "Everybody knows Music is Love" ay, David
@donaldslater6193
Such a beautiful song about true, undying love. Makes me cry every time I hear it.
@TheBitterSweetgr
Me too. Every SINGLE time.
@scottfrench4139
Me, too. Always brings me to tears. My favorite song that isn't Bach or Vaughan Williams.
@gaspersignorelli3724
Me too.
@miguelmagalhaes2725
The Byrds were epic... One the most beautiful songs that Ive heard...
@rogertemple7193
"This wasn't one of
their biggest hits
but it has always
been one of my favorites
and it still is."
@jadedonato6447
And it still brings tears to my eyes.Guess that is why I feel this way about the one l love and only love
@MarcosMarcos-ob2ik
I love The Byrds: Michael Clarke, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman, David Crosby and Roger McGuinn.
@robertnesfield6321
Crosby, maybe not so much.