Wasn't Born To Follow
The Byrds Lyrics
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Where the diamond crescent's glowing
And run across the valley
Beneath the sacred mountain
And wander through the forest
Where the trees have leaves of prisms
And break the light in colors
That no one know the names of
And when it's time I'll go and lay
Beside the legendary fountain
'Till I see her form reflected
In its clear and jewelled waters
And if you think I'm ready
You may lead me to the chasm
Where the rivers of our visions
Flow into one another
I will want to dive beneath the white cascading waters
She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic
And mention all the things I'll lose
That really have no value in the end she will surely know
I wasn't born to follow
The Byrd's "Wasn't Born To Follow" is a song that speaks to the desire to break free from the mundanity of life and the status quo. The song's protagonist yearns for adventure and experiences in places where the world is full of wonder and magic. The lyrics conjure up a picture of a land full of mysticism and beauty that is almost too good to be true, but it speaks to our longing for a life that is not bound by restrictions and responsibilities. The opening lines of the song, "No I'd rather go and journey/Where the diamond crescent's glowing" suggests a yearning to go to a land of dreams where everything is possible.
The poem goes on to speak about the sights and sounds of the valley beneath a sacred mountain, the colors of the forest, and the beauty of the legendary fountain. The singer's words suggest that they plan to spend their days exploring and experiencing life at its fullest, even if it means facing danger or the unknown. The song ends with a promise to follow one's own path, even if others disagree or have doubts, as the singer sings, "I will want to dive beneath the white cascading waters/She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic/And mention all the things I'll lose/That really have no value in the end she will surely know/I wasn't born to follow."
Ultimately, the song speaks to the human desire to break free from monotony and live life to the fullest. It reminds us that the road less traveled may be the one worth exploring.
Line by Line Meaning
No I'd rather go and journey
I do not want to conform or follow the typical path.
Where the diamond crescent's glowing
I want to go to a magical and special place where everything glitters.
And run across the valley
I want to feel free and run without any bounds.
Beneath the sacred mountain
I want to be in a place that is respected and special to others.
And wander through the forest
I want to wander and explore the unknown.
Where the trees have leaves of prisms
I want to be surrounded by beauty and wonder.
And break the light in colors
I want to experience things that are beyond explanation or naming.
That no one know the names of
I want to experience something so unique that it is yet to be defined.
And when it's time I'll go and lay
When it is time to rest, I am willing to do so.
Beside the legendary fountain
I want to be near something that has an extraordinary story or history behind it.
'Till I see her form reflected
I will wait until something meaningful or special is reflected to me.
In its clear and jewelled waters
I want to see this reflection in something that is clear and precious.
And if you think I'm ready
If someone thinks that I am ready to experience another world or reality.
You may lead me to the chasm
I will follow this person if they lead me to something with great depth and unfathomable beauty.
Where the rivers of our visions
A place where our collective imaginations come together.
Flow into one another
A place where our dreams and reality converge.
I will want to dive beneath the white cascading waters
I want to immerse myself in the unknown, even if it seems dangerous or risky.
She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic
Others may disagree and try to convince me otherwise using reason and practicality.
And mention all the things I'll lose
They may point out what I will have to give up to pursue my path.
That really have no value in the end she will surely know
In the end, I know that what others think I will lose is insignificant compared to what I will gain.
I wasn't born to follow
My destiny is to blaze my own trail and not simply follow in someone else's footsteps.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Carole King, Gerry Goffin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
pickles
Oh I'd rather go and journey where the diamond crest is flowing and
Run across the valley beneath the sacred mountain and
Wander through the forest
Where the the trees have leaves of prisms and break the light in colors
That no one knows the names of
And when it's time I'll go and wait beside a legendary fountain
Till I see your form reflected in it's clear and jewelled waters
And if you think I'm ready
You may lead me to the chasm where the rivers of our vision
Flow into one another
I will want to die beneath the white cascading waters
She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic
And then she'll know the things I learned
That really have no value in the end she will surely know
I wasn't born to follow
ëčì íìžì
Oh I'd rather go and journey where the diamond crest is flowing
And run across the valley beneath the sacred mountain
And wander through the forest, where the trees have leaves of prisms
And break the light in colors that no one knows the names of
And when it's time I'll go and wait beside a legendary fountain
Till I see your form reflected in its clear and jeweled waters
And if you think I'm ready, you may lead me to the chasm
Where the rivers of our vision flow into one another
I will want to dive beneath the white cascading waters
She may beg, she may plead, she may argue with her logic
And mention all the things I'll lose
That really have no value in the end she will surely know
I wasn't born to follow
Roy Posner
Most underrated album in the history of rock. Unleashed a torrent of new sounds!
William Donnelly
Agree. An absolute masterpiece.
Elizabeth Linsay
Agreed Ă 1,000%
Robert McHugh
Yes!
donald loehr
Not only this album, but the group as well.
tradewins
One of the high lights of my teenage life was an acid trip I took alone at home one Saturday night and when it was at its peak I listened to this album and also Laura Nyro's Eli and the 13th Confession. The music was a living presence in the room that pulsated with radiant spirit and energy. Those albums are imprinted on my being..something I'll always be grateful for.
RIVER-JORDAN
My fave trippin' tune too!
Andy Wilkinson
Thank you ...Im the nut in the family who sings and is happy....who lives and breathes music..wHATS wrong with Andy ./??? But .you understand ...you are like me...I could never quite explain what happens to me or why I feel the way I do to someone who doesn't get.it ..Now i have the perfect answer....music is a living presence that has been forever imprinted on my soul./....Tradewins ...you brought happy tears to my soul today....peACE
b d
This song is just beautiful on a trip.
Miyuki Shijisha
Yep, nothing quite like it, not these days though.