About the song
John Denver’s The Flower That Shattered the Stone. A song that evokes a sense of wonder about the natural world and the enduring power of hope. Released in September 1990, it became the title track for Denver’s 23rd studio album. This wasn’t entirely new material, though. It was a compilation album, drawing tracks from his previous works, “Stonehaven Sunrise” (released only in Australia) and “Earth Songs,” alongside a previously unreleased song, the title track itself, and a Japan-only single reprise.
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Denver, a towering figure in the folk music scene, was known for his optimistic anthems and odes to the beauty of nature. The Flower That Shattered the Stone embodies these themes perfectly. The opening lines paint a vivid picture of our planet: “The earth is our mother, just turning around with her trees in the forest and roots underground.” It’s a gentle reminder of our connection to the natural world, a recurring subject in Denver’s vast discography.
The imagery continues with references to the wind as the “sigh” of the sky, painting the Earth with a constant breath of life. This sets the stage for the central metaphor of the song – The Flower That Shattered the Stone. We can only speculate on Denver’s exact intention, but it likely represents the power of hope and resilience to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. A delicate flower pushing through the hardness of stone suggests that even the most fragile things can possess immense strength.
The lyrics then shift to the innocence and purity of children, with the line: “In the hearts of the children, a pure love still grows.” This highlights a recurring theme in Denver’s work – the belief that humanity can learn valuable lessons from the uncorrupted hearts of children. Their untainted love offers a beacon of hope for a brighter future.
The chorus ties these elements together. The “bright star in heaven” becomes a symbol of guidance, leading us “home,” a metaphorical reference to a place of peace and harmony. This resonates with Denver’s environmental activism, a constant undercurrent in his music. The Flower That Shattered the Stone is a subtle call to protect the natural world, the source of our sustenance and a symbol of hope for future generations.
The song’s gentle melody and Denver’s warm baritone vocals further enhance the message. It’s a folk ballad at its core, with a simple yet effective arrangement that allows the lyrics to take center stage. There’s a sense of peacefulness and contemplation in the music, mirroring the introspective nature of the lyrics.
The Flower That Shattered the Stone may not be one of Denver’s most commercially successful songs, but it stands as a testament to his enduring legacy. It’s a song that reminds us of the beauty and fragility of our planet, the enduring power of hope, and the simple truths we can rediscover by reconnecting with nature and the innocence of childhood.
Video
Lyrics
“The Flower That Shattered The Stone”
The earth is our mother, just turning around with her trees in the forest and roots underground. Our father above us, whose sigh is the wind, paint us a rainbow without any end.
As the river runs freely, the mountain does rise.
Let me touch with my fingers, and see with my eyes.
In the hearts of the children, a pure love still grows.
Like a bright star in heaven that lights our way home, like the flower that shattered the stone.
Sparrows find freedom beholding the sun, in the infinite beauty, we’re all joined in one.
I reach out before me and look to the sky, did I hear someone whisper, did something pass by?
As the river runs freely, the mountain does rise.
Let me touch with my fingers, and see with my eyes.
In the hearts of the children, a pure love still grows.
Like a bright star in heaven that lights our way home, like the flower that shattered the stone.
Like a bright star in heaven that lights our way home, like the flower that shattered the stone.