Cyclone

Lyrics: Robert Hunter
Music: Bruce Hornsby

Bruce Hornsby said this of the writing of this song:

"I've always loved Hunter's writing. I've loved so many of the Garcia/Hunter songs - they're just timeless sounding to me, could have been written hundreds of years ago. I had this song that had the same feeling as, say, 'Brokedown Palace.' It's always been in the air, the possibility of working with Hunter. He said, 'Yes, send me the track.' In this case he wanted to write to a track. We cut the track and scatted the melody on the track. Two weeks later, he sent back these lyrics syllable-by-syllable to my melody. It hit me right away. I got chills singing it, and chills reading it. Didn't even see him - he was never in the same room."
Lyrics:
Most of our years have flown away with nothing much decided
Except the board we're playing on, how it's to be divided
Will more years yet die alone? The question's many sided
Got no answers of my own and none have been provided

When I was young there was nothing to know (note 1)
And the wind followed me wherever I'd go
Rain came down where I made my stand
And the cyclone rose with a wave of my hand
And the cyclone rose with a wave of my hand

There is a game that's only played in a darkened room with strangers
Dealt down and dirty with unmarked cards, eyes closed to dangers
Jealousy folds without playing its hold card, romance raises grinning (note 2)
I spent several lifetimes there when I could not lose for winning

When I was young there was love for free
Glad to be given and received by me
Rain came down where I made my stand
And the cyclone rose with a wave of my hand
With a wave of my hand

I believe I can still make the cyclone rise
Just can't see it so well with my fading eyes

A mystery to myself, not everything now I was born to be
All I know is when I wanted it so the wind itself rose for me
You know if it wasn't for love I might just be a wandering man
But I believe I've made the better choice to sing about it with this band

When I was a boy I could summon the moon
With a crook of the finger and a home made tune
I could ride the clouds when they sailed on by
And sing all the words to a wildcat's cry

When I was young there was nothing to know (note 1)
And the wind followed me wherever I'd go
Rain came down where I made my stand
And the cyclone rose with a wave of my hand
And the cyclone rose with a wave of my hand

I believe I can still make the cyclone rise
And the cyclone rose, wave of my hand
Rain came down where I made my stand
Notes
(1) the lyrics printed in the booklet with the CD have "When I was <>a boy" but Hornsby definitely sings "when I was young"
(2) the lyrics booklet has "hold card". I'm no poker expert but I wonder if it should be "hole card"?

Recordings
     Date Album Recorded By
     2009 Levitate Bruce Hornsby and the Noisemakers

Further Information
For more information on recordings see Matt Schofield's Grateful Dead Family Discography

 


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