Itll Be a Long Time Before We Hear His Ugly Voice Again

Angela first knew of Jesus as a child but did not walk with him until she was an adult. She now hopes to share the Good News with the world.

James Taylor performing at Tanglewood.

Paul Keleher, via Wikimedia Commons

"Fire and I've Seen Rain" Lyrics

"Just yesterday morning, they allow me know you were gone.
Susanne, the plans they made put an end to you.
I walked out this forenoon, and I wrote downwards this song,
I merely can't remember who to send it to.

I've seen fire and I've seen pelting;
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never cease;
I've seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
But I always thought that I'd run across y'all again.

Won't y'all look downwards upon me, Jesus;
You've got to help me make a stand up,;
Yous've just got to meet me through another solar day.
My body'south aching and my time is at manus,
And I won't go far any other way.

Oh, I've seen fire, and I've seen rain;
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never stop;
I've seen lone times when I could not find a friend,
Simply I ever thought that I'd run into you once more.

Been walking my mind to an easy time, my back turned towards the sun;
Lord knows, when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around.
Well, at that place'southward hours of time on the telephone line to talk near things to come up;
Sugariness dreams and flight machines in pieces on the ground.

Oh, I've seen burn down and I've seen rain;
I've seen sunny days that I thought would never end;
I've seen alone times when I could non find a friend,
Simply I ever thought that I'd see you lot, baby, 1 more than time again, now.

Idea I'd meet yous one more fourth dimension again;
In that location's simply a few things coming my fashion this time effectually, now;
Thought I'd run across yous, idea I'd see yous fire and rain, now."

James Taylor Lyrics Explained

James Taylor wrote and sang this song, which was inspired past a friend of his who died. Later on existence recorded, this song elevated him to a pop star at 22 when information technology became a hit.

Taylor stated that he wrote this song three different times throughout 1968. His writing began while he was auditioning in London for The Beatles' Apple Records. Then Taylor wrote more of it while he stayed in a Manhattan Infirmary. Notwithstanding, he finished it when he was at the Austin Riggs Eye, where he was staying for drug rehabilitation. In 1972 Taylor stated:

"Burn down and Rain" has three verses. The first verse is about my reactions to the death of a friend. The second verse is about my inflow in this country with a monkey on my back, and at that place Jesus is an expression of my desperation in trying to get through the time when my body was aching and the time was at mitt when I had to do it... And the 3rd verse of that song refers to my recuperation in Austin Riggs which lasted nigh five months.

Although he wrote this at only 20 years old, it touches people of all ages and is still relevant forty-plus years subsequently.

Offset Verse Explained

"Just yesterday morning they permit me know you were gone
I just tin't remember who to send it to
Susanne the plans they made put an end to you
I walked out this forenoon and I wrote downwardly this vocal"

When he refers to Susanne, he is referring to Susanne Schnerr. Taylor states he used to get high with her and knew her quite well. He met her in New York in 1967 and hung out with her quite often when he was role of a group called The Flying Machine. The Flight Motorcar was the group where he began to become successful as a musician and writer.

Susanne, or who Taylor affectionately refers to every bit Suzie, committed suicide. He was living in London with mutual friends. Since his career began lifting off and his fame grew, his friends waited until afterwards to give him the news since they knew Taylor was so excited near his upcoming record deal. He didn't find out nearly her suicide until six months afterwards.

He as well states in i interview that he always felt bad most the line, "The plans they made put an end to you lot," because people have made assumptions to whom "they" are. He intended 'they' to be the Fates. His greatest fear was that her parents thought he blamed them. He did not.

James Taylor on phase performing at Tanglewood.

Paul Keleher, via Wikimedia Commons

2nd Poetry Explained

"Won't y'all look downwardly upon me, Jesus
You've got to assist me make a stand
Y'all've simply got to run into me through another twenty-four hour period
My body's aching and my fourth dimension is at hand
And I won't brand it any other way"

This poetry was written in 1968 after he stayed in a mental hospital. He was battling a heroin habit. He wrote this equally a plea to Jesus, as in Jesus Christ, to help him 'make a stand up' against his drug addiction, which portrays how much of a hold the addiction had on him. He makes the hold the addiction had on him when he belts out, "I won't make information technology any other way."

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Although it would exist nice to say that in 1968, he finally kicked the habit, he did not kicking the habit until much afterwards. Fortunately, unlike many like him, he was finally able to make a stand against his addiction in 1986, when he became sober. He has been sober ever since merely still feels that he is a recovering addict.

Tertiary Poesy Explained

"Has been walking my mind to an easy time my back turned towards the sun
Lord knows when the cold wind blows it'll turn your head around
Well, at that place's hours of time on the telephone line to talk nearly things
To come up
Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the basis"

Earlier, during his senior yr in high school, he had been treated at a hospital for depression. He and a friend, Danny Kortchmar, began a band called the Flight Machine. Information technology was a approving in disguise when the group failed merely a few months after it started, and he started his solo career. The last line refers to this band and his earlier attempts at finding success as a writer.

Fire and Pelting Meaning

Fire and Rain remains and probably always will exist 1 of my favorite songs. It touches me on a deep level. Although I've never experienced depression or drug habit, I even so know how it feels to exist on the bottom, hoping for a moment to arise. Life is like a roller coaster, with many ups and downs, scary at times, exhilarating, and sometimes but obviously annoying.

Questions & Answers

Question: In the line, "Only I always thought that I'd see you once more," to whom is the word "y'all" referring in the poem "Fire and Rain"?

Answer: His friend Suzanne Shnerr who had committed suicide.

© 2010 Angela Michelle Schultz

Kelly Ann Christensen from Overland Park, Johnson County, Kansas on February 01, 2020:

I merely honey James Taylor and this vocal. In the days and years following my mother's death, it would remind me of her. I always thought that I would run across y'all again, but she was gone. Thanks for the enjoyable and interesting article.

Jean Bakula from New Jersey on March x, 2017:

He has such a distinctive voice, you can always tell information technology's him when he helps out a friend or even plays an instrument. He plays the banjo part on Neil Young's Onetime Man. I wish he stayed with Carly Simon, she loved him so much.

Nellieanna Hay from TEXAS on May 26, 2014:

I found your hub from one of the "Related Hubs" on another hub I was visiting. Glad I did!

What a lovely hub! I admire James Taylor and have since I showtime heard him in the 60s when my son in high school was following his piece of work. Thank you for bringing out this 'history' of one of his virtually beloved songs. Information technology gets my votes!

I tried for a practiced while to play his songs on piano. They're non very adaptable to information technology. I fourth dimension, though, it only came to me and I was able to exercise a fairly expert job of information technology. Very satisfying.

Nellieanna Hay from TEXAS on May 26, 2014:

What a lovely hub! I adore James Taylor and take since I start heard him in the 60s. Give thanks you for bringing out this 'history' of one of his most beloved songs. It gets my votes!

Angela Michelle Schultz (writer) from United States on June 02, 2012:

He actually is quite the genius, he is i of my all time favorite singers.

Winsome from Southern California by style of Texas on June 02, 2012:

Hi A_M, thank you for that caption. I had no idea he wrote the verses so far autonomously. I just finished a vocal I started many years ago, and so I exercise understand how that happens. I read once that when he heard people say that his songs all sounded the same that he was surprised. He said he works to vary his songs and structure of the music but that he merely has a narrow lens they all come out of and so it but sounds like that.

I concur with him, his songs are not as like shooting fish in a barrel to play as you might remember if you actually play them as he does. That'southward a bit of genius there. =:)

Angela Michelle Schultz (writer) from United States on May 19, 2012:

It truly is a sad story. My heart feels heavy every fourth dimension I hear those words.

Eric Calderwood from USA on May 19, 2012:

I call up listening to this song every bit a immature child. I always thought the whole song was about "Susan" and the line "the plans they made put an terminate to you" referred to some conspiracy in which she was murdered. Now I know the real story. Thanks for a great hub.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United states on September 22, 2010:

Your welcome. James Taylor is one of my all-fourth dimension favorite singers. I could listen to him sing all mean solar day long. I think he is one of the few celebrities that I would lose all verbal functioning around! I'd just stand there in awe!

heart4theword from hub on September 21, 2010:

Have to say I've ever liked the song, yet never read or new anything about the vocaliser...or the story behind the song. Cheers for sharing!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on September 03, 2010:

He is one of the few musicians who has remained a powerful musical force for more than one-half of their lives!

TomTipton from Hollywood, CA on September 02, 2010:

Thank you for the Hub angela_michelle.

When lyrics, melody, and emotion collide, you take a classic - something that never grows old. James is in (what I would call) the 3rd human action of his career at present but he still sings and plays with the aforementioned fervor of his early on days. I yet love to hear him sing

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 24, 2010:

SteveoMc, the reason backside the story actually moved me the first time I heard it. I wish my computer had speakers, otherwise I would add a video. I simply can't tell if the video I would add together would be quality or not.

SteveoMc from Pacific NorthWest on August 24, 2010:

I love this song and I was moved past the explanation. Thanks so much. I want to hear it right at present. As well, rated up and awesome. Wonderful hub.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 23, 2010:

Thanks then much Minnetonka twin for rating it up. Yeah, he seems to be one of those artists that lives a skilful life not simply a skilful vocalizer. He doesn't seem to try to hibernate who he is either.

Linda Rogers from Minnesota on August 23, 2010:

I rated this hub Up, Awesome and Beautiful equally it is very inspiring. I have always had a Big place in my centre for James Taylor. I followed him and his life as he struggled with demons and followed hin as a great and incredible artist. I always thought information technology was cool that someone this famous went on children's shows similar Sesame Street. He definitely knows how blessed he is to be living a make clean and sober life now and it shows in how he gives dorsum. Thanks for a really enlightening hub.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 23, 2010:

ainehannah, honestly, I am a huge James Taylor song, in that location is only a few songs of his I don't admire.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 23, 2010:

mhuze, I love all the great memories that we accept in our lives that are brought out past a certain song.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from U.s. on Baronial 23, 2010:

Coffeesnob, one matter I find very interesting is that many performers will say they have a normal personality, then they have a phase personality. James Taylor really stated in an interview that he is himself in his music. He acted as if that was not very creative and he lacked imagination, merely personally I think information technology'due south kind of refreshing.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from U.s.a. on August 23, 2010:

FCE tier, oh, I should meet if I can netflix it, I recollect I would enjoy information technology.

Aine O'Connor from Dublin on August 23, 2010:

Hello Angela Michelle, peachy to know the background to a classic such every bit this. Another album of his that featured Ballad Male monarch's Upwards On The Roof and his own Handyman from 1979 was a big, big favourite of mine back in the twenty-four hour period. Like mhuze, thank you for bringing dorsum a good memory :0)

mhuze from The states on August 20, 2010:

Listened to this anthology on my Mom'south sometime console stereo. Thanks for bringing dorsum a good retentivity.

coffeesnob on August xx, 2010:

Nice hub...I used to be all nearly James Taylor..always liked his music.. Isn't it a peachy thing to be able to get a glimpse at what is behind the scenes in the heed of the artist. Most who write pour out experiences in some course..

Chip from Common cold Mount on August twenty, 2010:

I take the DVD of JT and Carole King -- great!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from Us on August xix, 2010:

Valerie, I love when yous can find a vocal that just actually hits home, and helps you go through some of the low moments. :)

valeriebelew from Metro Atlanta, GA, The states on August 19, 2010:

Loved this angela_michelle. I've experienced both depression and a drug problem, and I'm here to say the lyrics hit home. Wonderful hub. Voting up and awesome. (:v

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on Baronial 19, 2010:

Bayoulady, yous should definitely do ane. :) I was thinking about writing nearly Frederick Doublass, the ex-slave. Amazing story, it really opens your eyes to the terribleness of slavery.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on Baronial xix, 2010:

Tonymac, I never knew anyone had ever redone the vocal. I wish the speakers on my computer were working otherwise I would youtube it.

bayoulady from Northern Louisiana,United states of america on August 19, 2010:

James Taylor's smooth vocalization, oh my. Oasis't thought of him for a long time.i am enjoying all of the biographies I've been seeing lately on the hubs, think I might practice one myself.Rate up!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 19, 2010:

Thank you so much Healing Impact I appreciate that!

Tony McGregor from South Africa on August nineteen, 2010:

This is a very informative Hub about a song I have loved for many years. Interestingly I first heard the Joan Baez version and loved it, just lagter heard the a Taylor version and have been a fan e'er since.

The song e'er intrigued me so I'm grateful for the groundwork story.

Cheers for sharing this.

Dear and peace

Tony

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 19, 2010:

Thanks Aunt Barb!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 19, 2010:

Mentalist Acer, well, I used to have the Muppet's Christmas on 8-track, I promise yous still accept your viii-rails! That would exist really awesome. Not quite as cool as having a tape, but withal pretty bang-up.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from The states on August 19, 2010:

Dave Matthews, that is exactly how I experience about knowing the background of it.

Angela Michelle Schultz (writer) from Usa on Baronial 19, 2010:

Samsons, I'm also a huge fan! Obviously!

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from Usa on August 19, 2010:

Fred Allen, I may just have to discover ane. I am surprised I didn't think nearly it. Of form the sound on my calculator is currently broken, then I haven't been putting videos on, because I don't know what ones are quality or not.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from U.s. on August 19, 2010:

Dahoglund, I think it was finding out this many years ago, is what caused me to become a large James Taylor fan.

Angela Michelle Schultz (writer) from Usa on August nineteen, 2010:

DiamondRN, Information technology surprises me how few call on Jesus in my generation. Generations past, at the Academy Awards they would thank God, you don't hear that quite as much as you used to.

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August 19, 2010:

Ecoggins, I have a proposition for yous. If yous make a youtube video doing your James Taylor impression, I'll put information technology up on ths hub! LOL> I'd love to see it. :)

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United States on August nineteen, 2010:

Pamela, I call up me and you have a lot in common. We seem to similar much the same things. :)

Angela Michelle Schultz (author) from United states on August xix, 2010:

zzron, Thanks. I actually would concur with you, merely there is something hypnotizing with James Taylor'south vox. I admittedly love to hear him sing. Typically I prefer things more upbeat.

Laura Arne from Minnetonka, MN on August nineteen, 2010:

I am a total James Taylor Fan. You lot had me at Hullo. I tweeted this ane. Keen hub.

Healing impact

Barbara Badder from U.s. on August 19, 2010:

Hmm. I always liked this song, but I never noticed he called on Jesus either. I enjoyed reading this hub. Thanks Angela.

Mentalist acer from A Voice in your Mind! on August xix, 2010:

I used to have him on 8-track and cassette,I wore him outLol;)

Dave Mathews from Northward YORK,ONTARIO,CANADA on Baronial 19, 2010:

Angela_Michelle: I've always enjoyed this song from James Taylor, and at present knowing more than virtually him I can have a deeper appreciation for the song still.

Brother Dave.

Sam from Tennessee on Baronial xix, 2010:

beautiful, I ever liked James Taylor.

fred allen from Myrtle Beach SC on August nineteen, 2010:

Wish you could have fastened a functioning of the song. Beloved the hub! I love practiced peotry. It displays the soul of the poet. Information technology goes deeper than the words and the images they conjure. Nearly just scratch the surface of what is really existence revealed. You dig deep. I like that.

Don A. Hoglund from Wisconsin Rapids on Baronial nineteen, 2010:

I've never actually listened much to Taylor but this is an interesting story almost him.

Bob Diamond RPh from Charlotte, NC USA on August xix, 2010:

I had never listened to all of the words earlier. I wasn't aware of his calling on Jesus. More people who are in problem should practise the aforementioned. Thank you.

ecoggins from Corona, California on August nineteen, 2010:

My favorite singer impression is to do James Taylor. I dearest his songs. Thanks for sharing this hub.

Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on August 19, 2010:

I enjoyed this hub and like that particular song as well as, many others of James Taylor.

zzron from Houston, TX. on August 18, 2010:

This was squeamish, I like a couple of his songs but I mostly prefer faster classic rock.

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Source: https://spinditty.com/artists-bands/Ive-Seen-Fire-and-Ive-Seen-Rain

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