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They were planting in the full moon
They had given all they had for something new
But the light of day was on them,
They could see the thrashers coming
And the water shone like diamonds in the dew.
And I was just getting up, hit the road before it's light
Trying to catch an hour on the sun
When I saw those thrashers rolling by,
Looking more than two lanes wide
I was feelin' like my day had just begun.
Where the eagle glides descending
There's an ancient river bending
Through the timeless gorge of changes
Where sleeplessness awaits
I searched out my companions,
Who were lost in crystal canyons
When the aimless blade of science
Slashed the pearly gates.
It was then I knew I'd had enough,
Burned my credit card for fuel
Headed out to where the pavement turns to sand
With a one-way ticket to the land of truth
And my suitcase in my hand
How I lost my friends I still don't understand.
They had the best selection,
They were poisoned with protection
There was nothing that they needed,
Nothing left to find
They were lost in rock formations
Or became park bench mutations
On the sidewalks and in the stations
They were waiting, waiting.
So I got bored and left them there,
They were just deadweight to me
Better down the road without that load
Brings back the time when I was eight or nine
I was watchin' my mama's T.V.,
It was that great Grand Canyon rescue episode.
Where the vulture glides descending
On an asphalt highway bending
Thru libraries and museums, galaxies and stars
Down the windy halls of friendship
To the rose clipped by the bullwhip
The motel of lost companions
Waits with heated pool and bar.
But me I'm not stopping there,
Got my own row left to hoe
Just another line in the field of time
When the thrasher comes, I'll be stuck in the sun
Like the dinosaurs in shrines
But I'll know the time has come
To give what's mine.
If I have to hear one more rambling cry-me-a-river dirge from this guy, I swear, it's razor blades for me...
Here - read the lyrics. And to sort of (not) answer your question: They're gorgeous lyrics, but they could apply to farmers losing their farms, friends losing their hope, people caving in to the rhetoric and babble that means nothing...
Could be anything. I'd bet, though, that those thrashers are symbolic of destruction. VERY deep lyrics. Thanks for asking - perhaps others will weigh in on this song...
Cynaera, if it's true, what romeo says, that you have left us, I too will miss you and your thoughtful posts.
One of my favorite albums - top 5. I was in the depths of my pathetic, romanticized, misanthropic alcholism and drug addiction when this came out. This album was my anthem. Just like Petty's Wildflowers was about me when I got divorced in 95 and went from MA to OR.
Love the personal associations. Cool that you can listen even now and it doesn't necessarily bring you back to those dark places, but hits a familiar sentimental place just the same.
I have similar associations/feelings with music, and I totally get that.
Here - read the lyrics. And to sort of (not) answer your question: They're gorgeous lyrics, but they could apply to farmers losing their farms, friends losing their hope, people caving in to the rhetoric and babble that means nothing...
Could be anything. I'd bet, though, that those thrashers are symbolic of destruction. VERY deep lyrics. Thanks for asking - perhaps others will weigh in on this song...
THRASHER by Neil Young
————
They were hiding behind hay bales,
They were planting in the full moon
They had given all they had for something new
But the light of day was on them,
They could see the thrashers coming
And the water shone like diamonds in the dew.
And I was just getting up, hit the road before it's light
Trying to catch an hour on the sun
When I saw those thrashers rolling by,
Looking more than two lanes wide
I was feelin' like my day had just begun.
Where the eagle glides ascending
There's an ancient river bending
Down the timeless gorge of changes
Where sleeplessness awaits
I searched out my companions,
Who were lost in crystal canyons
When the aimless blade of science
Slashed the pearly gates.
It was then I knew I'd had enough,
Burned my credit card for fuel
Headed out to where the pavement turns to sand
With a one-way ticket to the land of truth
And my suitcase in my hand
How I lost my friends I still don't understand.
They had the best selection,
They were poisoned with protection
There was nothing that they needed,
Nothing left to find
They were lost in rock formations
Or became park bench mutations
On the sidewalks and in the stations
They were waiting, waiting.
So I got bored and left them there,
They were just deadweight to me
Better down the road without that load
Brings back the time when I was eight or nine
I was watchin' my mama's T.V.,
It was that great Grand Canyon rescue episode.
Where the vulture glides descending
On an asphalt highway bending
Thru libraries and museums, galaxies and stars
Down the windy halls of friendship
To the rose clipped by the bullwhip
The motel of lost companions
Waits with heated pool and bar.
But me I'm not stopping there,
Got my own row left to hoe
Just another line in the field of time
When the thrasher comes, I'll be stuck in the sun
Like the dinosaurs in shrines
But I'll know the time has come
To give what's mine.
One of my favorite albums - top 5. I was in the depths of my pathetic, romanticized, misanthropic alcholism and drug addiction when this came out. This album was my anthem. Just like Petty's Wildflowers was about me when I got divorced in 95 and went from MA to OR.
Yes, very nice tune!
Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies.
They were Jawas.
Pardon me, you will?
Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies.
They were Jawas.
He referred to them as "road-eyes."
Neil would never stoop so low as to have Ewoks as roadies.
They were Jawas.
Neil is now attracting a third generation of fans.
(BTW, "Long May You Run" is an ode to a car.)
As much as any song that the man ever wrote, this has his inimitable mark of genius. Beautiful song from an iconic album. Neil at his best.
Agreed. I am amazed that anyone could think otherwise...
More is the pity for you.
As much as any song that the man ever wrote, this has his inimitable mark of genius. Beautiful song from an iconic album. Neil at his best.
I'm sorry but I can not give my respect to some one hating Mr.Young, its like saying you hate the sun, that brings life to all of us !
HazzeSwede, you are my kinda people!
I'm sorry but I can not give my respect to some one hating Mr.Young, its like
saying you hate the sun,that brings life to all of us !
Pity neither of them could carry a tune in a bucket then. Maybe if they shut up and stuck to the writing I would have more time for them.
Wha? No Leonard Cohen?
I agree. I put this album on and just sing along to the whole thing. "Thrasher", "Pocahontas", "Powderfinger"... Hell, I love the whole thing!
can't wait to see what he tries next. Thanks Neil!
I went to the song meanings link and read a little bit, the interpretations make it all the more interesting. Somehow he takes something as trivial as the breakup of a band (albeit a legendary one) and turns it into a commentary on man's quest for truth. Or something like that. Whatever it is, it is magical.
And still you forgot to mention the words.
Yes, you're right. I did. Neil's lyrics are, as always (for me) wonderful.
I was about to comment on this very lyric as well. Ironic in our current time.
same here, you gotta love this forum
I was about to comment on this very lyric as well. Ironic in our current time.
Just checked your ratings & comments. I guess there's just no accounting for taste. Some people have it, some people get it & some people never do. Your loss.
Just unreal.
Just unreal.
or praised. whatever.
Agreed. Neil trying his best to be Dylan with his image-laden lyrics, but falling WAY short.
10
of course!
we're up to 7.7 / 111 now. I'll give it a down-to-earth 9 to see what we'll get
And still you forgot to mention the words.
rdo wrote:
If I have to hear one more rambling cry-me-a-river dirge from this guy, I swear, it's razor blades for me...