John Denver

John Denver – Forest Lawn

Please scroll down for the music video. It is at the end of the article! 👇👇

About The Song

John Denver’s song “Forest Lawn” is a profound reflection on life, death, and the legacy we leave behind. As one of the most celebrated singer-songwriters of his time, Denver’s ability to convey deep emotions through his music is on full display in this poignant track.

Released in 1989 as part of his album “The Flower That Shattered the Stone”, “Forest Lawn” is a track that resonates with listeners due to its introspective and contemplative nature. The song’s title references the famous Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Los Angeles, a place known for its serene beauty and as a final resting place for many of Hollywood’s stars. This setting serves as a metaphor in the song, encapsulating themes of mortality and the inevitability of death.

In “Forest Lawn”, Denver employs his signature folk style to weave a narrative that is both personal and universal. The lyrics are a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the quest for meaning in the face of our own impermanence. Denver’s evocative storytelling captures the listener’s attention, inviting them to reflect on their own lives and legacies.

The song’s gentle acoustic guitar arrangement and Denver’s soothing vocal delivery create a contemplative atmosphere that allows the listener to engage deeply with the song’s themes. His voice, characterized by its warmth and sincerity, imbues the song with a sense of authenticity and emotional depth.

Moreover, “Forest Lawn” is not just a meditation on death, but also an affirmation of life. Through his lyrics, Denver encourages us to cherish the moments we have and to live fully, despite the inevitable end that awaits us all. The song’s reflective nature prompts listeners to think about their own journey and the impact they will leave on the world.

Overall, “Forest Lawn” stands out as a testament to John Denver’s skill as a songwriter and his ability to connect with listeners on a profound level. Its contemplative lyrics and soothing melody offer a space for reflection and introspection, making it a timeless piece that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lnO5ZLlFWUM

Lyric

Oh lay me down in Forest Lawn in a silver casket,Put golden flowers over my head in a silver basket.Let the drum and bugle corp play taps while cannons roarAnd sixteen liveried employees sell souveniers from the funeral store.
I want to go simply when I go,They’ll give me a simple funeral there I know,With a casket lined in fleeceAnd fireworks spelling out “rest in peace.”Oh take me when I’m gone to Forest Lawn.
Oh lay me down in Forest Lawn, they understand there.They have a heavenly and a military band there.Just put me in their care, I’ll find my comfort thereWith sixteen planes in a last salute they’ll drop a cross in a parachute.
I want to go simply when I go,They’ll give me a simple funeral there I know:With a hundred strolling stringsAnd topless dancers with golden wings!Oh take me when I’m gone to Forest Lawn.
Oh, come, come, come, come,Come to the church in the wildwood,Kindly leave a contribution in the pail.Be as simple and as trusting as a child wouldAnd we’ll sell you the church in the dale.
To find a simple resting place is my desire;To lay me down with a smiling face comes a little bit higher.My likeness cast in brass will stand in plastic grassWhile hidden weights and springs tip it’s hat to the mourners filing past!
I want to go simply when I go.They’ll give me a simple funeral there I know.I’ll lie beneath the sandWith piped in tapes of Billy Graham.Oh take me when I’m gone to Forest Lawn.
Rock of Ages, cleft for me,For a slightly higher fee!
Oh take me when I’m gone to Forest Lawn!
Post view: 71

Related Post

John Denver – Mother Nature’s Son

John Denver – Tools

John Denver – Readjustment Blues

You Missed

News

Toby Keith’s family was on hand as the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority honored the country superstar with the newly named Toby Keith Expressway.

News

“FOUR VOICES, A CENTURY OF HISTORY — AND NOT A SINGLE NOTE WASTED.” There was no countdown, no flashing neon lights. Just four giants sitting in the glow of a fading fire, letting the old year slip away with a gentle nod. Their guitars rested easy on their knees, worn smooth by decades of travel. They didn’t play to impress; they played to remember. They sang of dusty roads, broken hearts, and the kind of faith you only find after losing everything else. You could hear the years in their harmonies—not as a burden, but as a badge of honor. It felt like the world stopped spinning, just for a moment, to listen to its own heartbeat. Country music wasn’t shouting to be heard; it was simply breathing.

News

The Day the Music Died: A New Year’s Tragedy. On New Year’s Day, 1953, the world lost a legend in the back seat of a Cadillac. Hank Williams, only 29 years old, left behind a legacy that changed country music forever. With 35 Top 10 Billboard hits—including timeless classics like “Cold, Cold Heart” and “Hey, Good Lookin’”—his success was undeniable. Yet, a haunting shadow hangs over his untimely passing. In a twist of dark irony, his last single released during his lifetime was titled “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” Was it a premonition? The events leading up to that lonely highway drive are as heartbreaking as “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

News

““HE WASN’T A LEGEND HERE — HE WAS JUST DAD.” Under the soft chapel lights, the applause finally stopped. There were no flashing cameras, just the heavy silence of a family clinging to a frayed black-and-white photo. To the world, he was a headline, a golden voice that sold out arenas. But in this quiet room? He was simply the man who hummed off-key while fixing the porch swing on Sundays. He was the laughter echoing in the kitchen, not the radio star. Someone whispered through tears, “The world borrowed him, but we got to keep his real heart.” Fame fades into history, but the quiet love of a father? That silence spoke louder than any standing ovation ever could.”