everyone is loving this bonus track that came with the pre-order bundle, so let's hear what you have to say about it
here is my review of "the Song for Christopher Columbus" - let me know what you think about this song.
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Christopher Columbus set sail from Europe in search of a new trade route to India, but instead, his accidental discovery of North America changed the course of history (ok, ok...vikings and all, but still...lol). We remember the deeds of great explorers but what do we really know about their personal journeys? What is it like to set sail for the edge of the world? In this beautiful new song, Jon Peter Lewis tackles the loss of innocence and the painful isolation of those who leave behind the familiar places and people they love to discover brave new worlds.
The gentle rolling rhythm of the song echoes the rocking of his vessel, and we find Columbus at his journal writing to Isabelle, the Spanish Queen who has made his journey possible. He seems lost and without hope, as if some tragedy has just befallen himself or the crew. His words speak out to her across the distance:
“And if these words find their own way on the wind to the bed where you lay. Know there are days that I regret I ever dreamt this imaginary west.”
But it’s too late for him to go back. Like with many of life’s journeys, once you ship out on that kind of adventure, your life will never be quite the same again.
“Too far… I’ve come too far to turn back now. Hold to your faith honey, I’ll be coming back round I wish I had found the edge of the world, at least I’d be buried in stars!”
But I find the chorus most intriguing:
“Sometimes I wish I’d never found, Found out the world was round.”
Only "sometimes" does he wish that he’d never found the world was round. In this passage and in the earlier quote (Know there are days that I regret), we see that his thoughts aren’t always so bleak. There are moments of despair, and moments like this where thoughts of his distant Isabelle consume him. But he will recover, persevere, and see his journey through. Maybe not the journey he had set out to make, but a remarkable discovery none-the-less.
We talked about this one, so you've pretty much covered what I think.
I always could go into an historical review! ;) I won't... though there are a few ways in which this song does kinda fit things we know about Columbus.
This is a really well done song. I accidentally left it playing in the background while I was working the other day, and I probably heard it 15 times before I noticed. It's just really smooth and flows really well.
I love this song, I'm not sure why, but I just do... I think it is my favorite Jon song of all time. I'm one of those people that when I hear a song or read a book, I imagine what is going on, and this song is really beautiful in that aspect.
Originally posted by joliefleur: I love this song, I'm not sure why, but I just do... I think it is my favorite Jon song of all time. I'm one of those people that when I hear a song or read a book, I imagine what is going on, and this song is really beautiful in that aspect.
yeah. i know what you mean jolie...this one is pretty special. there are just so many great turns of phrase and visually poetic lyrics. plus the music supports jon's vocals perfectly. it's just right.
i know i wrote this in another thread, but the song is ridiculously addictive. once i have it on repeat i just can't. turn. it. off.
Originally posted by Mishtat: i know i wrote this in another thread, but the song is ridiculously addictive. once i have it on repeat i just can't. turn. it. off.
are we going to have to report jon to the FDA?
Oh no, my dear. We should be out offering free hits of Song for Columbus on the street.
"I wish I'd found the edge of the world at least I would be buried in stars."
Love that.
This song is smooth and warm. So many emotions in it. It's tops for me. I still like his voice in "No Fire" a little more though. ;-)
But I will say, I wish my name were Isabelle...I love the way he says "Isabelle please".
Kinda wanna waltz to this song - just like "Came Here For".
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
i just never get tired of this baby...lol. it's got such great lyrical visuals.
did anyone else notice the nice lyrical parallel in the song re: 'stars'? the song starts off with the lyrics 'so many stars clutter the sky' and ends with 'at least I'd be buried in stars'.
Although I'm still waiting for my CD of Break The Silence by Jon, Mish was kind enough to send me an mp3 of Song For Christopher Columbus, because it's so popular at JPL's live shows (which I've never been to as I live in Australia) and she wanted me to hear it.
I just wanted to let you all know that I feel it is a very beautiful song and I must confess I did feel a little teary-eyed hearing it, it brought back memories of my own longing for innocence lost and loneliness I've felt for a long time.
Jon's music is deep, profound, and powerful, and I wish him all the success in the world.
Someday I hope to hear Jon perform it live, as I am told what a great experience it is to hear him sing that song live.
Is it OK for me to say that I also love this song?
In honor of Columbus Day, I'll go ahead and post something about Song for Christopher Columbus that occurred to me awhile ago. I do love the images of being buried in stars and of the velvet-lined dreams, but here is something else.
The word choice in the song is particularly appropriate. The lyrics include, "So many stars clutter the sky, I can't divine where I'm headed tonight" and "Hold to your faith, honey." James and Jon-Peter could just as easily have written, "I can't see where I'm headed tonight" or "I can't guess where I'm headed tonight." They likewise could have said, "Don't worry, honey. I'll be coming back 'round" or even "Hold to your hopes, honey. I'll be coming back 'round.." But when talking about Columbus, it works really well to use words like "divine" and "faith," words we normally associate with religion. The words take on new layers of meaning in light of Columbus's religious faith.
Columbus saw his voyage as a divinely inspired mission. As the story goes, after sailing for a long time, the crew was unwilling to continue, but Columbus promised them they could turn around if they didn't spy land in three days. The crew agreed, and land was spotted on the third day. Although there are different versions of this story, the fact remains that Columbus was deeply faithful and felt that God was watching over and directing him.
Happy Columbus Day. And to celebrate, enjoy this really great song from James Best and Jon-Peter Lewis.
**************************** California Christmas this year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
