About the song
John Denver. A name synonymous with folksy charm, odes to nature, and a gentle optimism that resonated with millions. But Denver wasn’t just a sunny disposition with a guitar. He was a thoughtful songwriter who explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition, all wrapped in his engaging melodies and sincere delivery.
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Today, we delve into Love Is the Master, a song released in 1986 on Denver’s album One World. This track arrived at a time when Denver’s career was undergoing a bit of a shift. The energetic, mountain-climbing persona of his earlier years was giving way to a more introspective tone. Love Is the Master reflects this evolution, offering a meditation on love’s enduring power in the face of life’s challenges.
The song opens with a sense of reflection. The narrator describes a journey of self-discovery, perhaps a period of introspection or a challenging experience. He mentions the solace found in nature, specifically the San Juan Mountains, a recurring motif in Denver’s work and a place that clearly held deep meaning for him. The vastness and beauty of the natural world become a source of comfort and renewal.
The lyrics hint at a recent heartbreak, with lines like “Let the rain wash away all my sorrow.” This emotional honesty resonates with listeners who have experienced the pain of love lost. However, the song doesn’t dwell on negativity. There’s a sense of resilience, a belief that even in the darkest of nights, “I was never ever alone.”. This subtle shift introduces the central theme: Love’s enduring power.
The chorus itself is a powerful declaration: “Ah, but time is the master of healing, love is the master of everything that we do.” Denver acknowledges the passage of time as a healer, but it’s love that takes center stage. It’s the driving force, the guiding light that shapes our actions and ultimately leads us forward.
This concept is further emphasized by the repetition of the line, “There’ll be snow on the passes tomorrow, you can feel it in the chill of the wind.” This imagery suggests change and impermanence in the natural world, a metaphor for the ever-evolving nature of life. Yet, amidst this change, love remains a constant, a source of strength and renewal.
Love Is the Master isn’t a love song in the traditional sense. It’s a broader exploration of love’s many facets – its capacity to heal, to guide our actions, and to offer hope for a new beginning. It’s a testament to Denver’s ability to weave personal experience into relatable themes that resonate with a wide audience.
So, as we embark on this musical journey, let’s prepare to be enveloped by Denver’s signature warmth, thoughtful lyrics, and a message of enduring hope – all wrapped up in the simple yet profound statement: Love Is the Master.
Video
Lyrics
“Love Is The Master”
Almost exactly a year ago, I came here for the very first time.
Looking up at the Spanish windows from a trail on the edge of the timberline.
I’ve been off on a journey to find myself, maybe find my way back home.
Been many an hour all by myself, in the darkest of nights I was never ever alone.
Back in the San Juan Mountains again on a ride with some good old boys.
Telling stories around a campfire, the sound of laughter is the loudest noise.
There’s something in a night in the wilderness, it’s a magical thing to me.
Like the sky is just a little bit brighter, and your life is everything that you’d like it to be.
There’ll be snow on the passes tomorrow, you can feel it in the chill of the wind.
Let the rain wash away all my sorrow, today is the day that my life starts all over again.
I guess that it’s just about over now, everything’s about to change.
Everything’s a brand new number, darling, everything’s a brand new game.
And it’s funny I could even call you that after all the pain we’ve been through,
Ah, but time is the master of healing, love is the master of everything that we do.
There’ll be snow on the passes tomorrow, you can feel it in the chill of the wind.
Let the rain wash away all my sorrow, today is the day that my life starts all over again.