Different Directions - John Denver
Menu

Music


Different Directions

September 1991
Buy album from:
iTunes | Amazon
Stream album:
Spotify
Side One
  1. Potter’s Wheel

    Potter’s Wheel

    The world is fast becoming younger, the news is all they’ve ever known.
    They’ve seen the wars, the hurt, the hunger, how will they choose when they are grown.
    What do you tell forever’s children when it’s their turn to hurt and heal?
    Whatever spins a grim tornado can also turn a potter’s wheel.

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.

    Tell with your life the bloody story, teach to they’re dreams not burning steel.
    It’s not in bombs where lies the glory but in what’s shattered on the field.
    The potter’s wheel takes love and caring, skill and patience fast and slow.
    The works it makes are easily broken once they survive the potter’s throw

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.

    Some day some children will be digging in some long forgotten ground
    and they’ll find our civilization or what’s left of it to be found.
    They’ll find the weapons of destruction, but buried deeper in the hole,
    they’ll find a message and a promise in the sand, the potter’s bowl.

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.
    Earth and water and wind conspire with human hands, and love, and fire.

  2. Ponies

    Ponies

    Somewhere out on the prairie is the greatest cowboy that’s ever been.
    And when he lays his hands upon the ponies, they shudder with an understanding skin.
    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

    When the storm clouds in the west are quickly gathering,
    The ponies they run wild there before it rains.
    You’ll see their sleek dark bodies brightly gleaming,
    you know the fire is flying through their brains.
    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

  3. The Foxfire Suite

    The Foxfire Suite

    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.
    Over a hundred years ago we came to Carolina, far across the water it’s a long hard road.
    With little more than courage we came seeking independence,
    a little less than nothing is a heavy load.
    From the heather to the highlands we have found the Smokey Mountains,
    hard work and simple ways and life is good, life is good.
    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.

    You are every morning sunrise, you are every rain.
    You are every peal of laughter, you are every cry of pain.
    You are all the summer flowers, you are all the falling leaves.
    You are everyone rejoicing you are everyone who grieves.
    You are all my unknown secrets, you are all my hidden fears.
    You are known in lover’s kisses, you are seen in childhood tears.
    You are where the stars are shining, you are where the rainbow ends.
    You are why the war is over, you are how the peace begins.

    Whisper the wind over the water. Whisper the wind all through the night.
    Whisper the wind along the canyon. Whisper the wind into the light.
    Whisper the wind, brothers and sisters. Whisper the wind all the same.
    Whisper the wind, love one another. Whisper the wind, your precious name.

    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.
    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes so it goes.

  4. Chained To The Wheel

    Chained To The Wheel

    Know what you really need
    You can’t get enough
    Too many mouths to feed
    Ain’t life enough
    Call this survival
    Don’t pray for a sign

    Know what you really want
    You can’t get it back
    Down on the water front
    Better watch out jack
    Nights on the mainline
    Rust on the rail

    I’ve seen ’em swindle this town
    I’ve seen ’em tumble it down
    I’ve seen red rivers, fire and steel
    I’ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel

    Know what you mean to me
    Goes deeper than that
    Can’t fight your destiny
    Don’t know where it’s at
    Don’t look for light’n
    Or pray for a sign

    I’ve heard the legends
    I’ve watched the skies
    I feel the power
    The flame in your eyes

    I’ve seen ’em swindle this town
    I’ve seen ’em tumble it down
    I’ve seen red rivers, fire and steel
    I’ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel

Side Two
  1. Two Different Directions

    Two Different Directions

    They say they love each other, I’ve no doubt they do.
    They say they’ll always be together, that may not be true.
    They come from different places, different points of view.
    They find themselves in different spaces, everything is all brand new.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One always on the road somewhere, the other one always stays too often unhappy.

    When you are moving in different directions, true love is all alone.
    Old stories start to surface, patterns from long ago.
    And loving quickly turns to anger for reasons they don’t even know.
    The strongest heart can be broken with one insensitive word.
    The deepest feelings remain unspoken, no one is seen and nothing heard.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One always wants to work things out, the other one wants to play.
    Too ready for changes, too much that just can’t wait.
    When you are moving in different directions, true love can turn to hate.

    If opposites attract each other, what’s the reason for?
    One being like an open window, one just like closing a door.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One likes to see the morning sunrise, the other one sleeps in late.
    Too many tomorrows, too many times too late.
    When you are moving in different directions, true love may have to wait.
    If you are committed to different directions, true love will have to wait.

  2. Hold On To Me

    Hold On To Me

    We were live on arrival, safe home at last. Not cannon fire dockside, no flags half-mast.
    We were sold out for silver and a string of black pearls
    on the loneliest island at the edge of the world.

    Like destiny’s children, souls lost at sea. No room on the lifeboat, you can hold on to me.
    Hold on to me, hold on to me.

    Now the voyage is over, we’re back on dry land.
    In our eyes are the stories, the rope and the brand.

    Like destiny’s children, souls lost at sea. No room on the lifeboat, you can hold on to me.
    Hold on to me, hold on to me. Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me.

    We were live on arrival, safe home at last. Not cannon fire dockside, no flags half-mast.
    We were sold out for silver and a string of black pearls
    on the loneliest island at the edge of the world.

    Hold on to me, hold on to me. Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me.

  3. The Chosen Ones

    The Chosen Ones

    I heard how all the lights went out in memphis
    On the death night anniversary of the king
    The pretenders talking dirty in the palace
    But it doesn’t have that old familiar ring

    I see there’s been some changes in the valley
    All the renegades have finally settled down
    Now they worship in the temples of their rivals
    And desecrate the holy heart of town

    Can’t you hear all those sweet voices singing
    Takin’ care of the chosen ones
    Can’t you hear all those mission bells ringin’
    Say a prayer for the chosen ones

    I read they’re pourin’ oil on troubled waters
    Yet they cast a giant shadow on the land
    Let’s spend another night across the border
    And bury all our secrets in the sand

    Now they claim there is a message in the bible
    They swear there is no master and his slave
    But the future’s lookin’ dim for the lonesome cowboy
    When the hand that rocks that cradle digs the grave

  4. Amazon

    Amazon

    There is a river that runs from the mountains, that one river is all rivers, all rivers are that one. There is a tree that
    stands in the forest, that one tree is all forests, all trees are that one.
    There is a flower that blooms in the desert, that one blossom is all flowers,
    all flowers are that one.
    It is the song of life, it is the flower of faith, it is the tree of temptation it is the river of no regret.

    There is a child that cries in the ghetto, that one child is all children, all children are that one. There is a vision that
    shines in the darkness, that one vision is all of our dreams,
    all of our dreams are that one.
    It is a vision of heaven, it is a child of promise, it is the song of life, it is the river of no regret.

    Let this be a voice for the mountains, let this be a voice for the river,
    let this be a voice for the forest, let this be a voice for the flowers,
    let this be a voice for the ocean, let this be a voice for the desert,
    let this be a voice for the children, let this be a voice for the dreamers,
    let this be a voice of no regret, no regret.

  5. Tenderly Calling

    Tenderly Calling

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    Sometimes when I’m feeling lonesome, and no one on earth seems to care,
    I’m all by myself in the darkness with no one and nothing to share.
    Just when it feels like it’s hopeless and I’ll never make it alone,
    I hear the voices of angels tenderly calling me home,

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    I try to keep it together, I never let on that I’m scared.
    Still sometimes I fall to pieces, scatter and lost everywhere.
    Just when it feels like there’s no one to mend all my broken down dreams,
    I hear a voice deep inside me tenderly calling to me.

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    So don’t be afraid of the darkness and don’t run away from the storm.
    Stand up and face your reflection, the feelings you try to ignore.
    After the tempest is over, you’ve let yourself come on through.
    You’ll hear a voice in the silence tenderly calling to you.

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

Side One
  1. Potter’s Wheel

    Potter’s Wheel

    The world is fast becoming younger, the news is all they’ve ever known.
    They’ve seen the wars, the hurt, the hunger, how will they choose when they are grown.
    What do you tell forever’s children when it’s their turn to hurt and heal?
    Whatever spins a grim tornado can also turn a potter’s wheel.

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.

    Tell with your life the bloody story, teach to they’re dreams not burning steel.
    It’s not in bombs where lies the glory but in what’s shattered on the field.
    The potter’s wheel takes love and caring, skill and patience fast and slow.
    The works it makes are easily broken once they survive the potter’s throw

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.

    Some day some children will be digging in some long forgotten ground
    and they’ll find our civilization or what’s left of it to be found.
    They’ll find the weapons of destruction, but buried deeper in the hole,
    they’ll find a message and a promise in the sand, the potter’s bowl.

    Take a little clay, put it on a wheel, get a little hint how God must feel.
    Give a little turn, listen to it spin, make it into the shape you want it in.
    Earth and water and wind conspire with human hands, and love, and fire.

  2. Ponies

    Ponies

    Somewhere out on the prairie is the greatest cowboy that’s ever been.
    And when he lays his hands upon the ponies, they shudder with an understanding skin.
    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

    When the storm clouds in the west are quickly gathering,
    The ponies they run wild there before it rains.
    You’ll see their sleek dark bodies brightly gleaming,
    you know the fire is flying through their brains.
    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

    And he says ponies, now ponies, don’t you worry. I have not come to steal your fire away.
    I want to fly with you across the heavens and discover what begins each shining day.

  3. The Foxfire Suite

    The Foxfire Suite

    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.
    Over a hundred years ago we came to Carolina, far across the water it’s a long hard road.
    With little more than courage we came seeking independence,
    a little less than nothing is a heavy load.
    From the heather to the highlands we have found the Smokey Mountains,
    hard work and simple ways and life is good, life is good.
    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.

    You are every morning sunrise, you are every rain.
    You are every peal of laughter, you are every cry of pain.
    You are all the summer flowers, you are all the falling leaves.
    You are everyone rejoicing you are everyone who grieves.
    You are all my unknown secrets, you are all my hidden fears.
    You are known in lover’s kisses, you are seen in childhood tears.
    You are where the stars are shining, you are where the rainbow ends.
    You are why the war is over, you are how the peace begins.

    Whisper the wind over the water. Whisper the wind all through the night.
    Whisper the wind along the canyon. Whisper the wind into the light.
    Whisper the wind, brothers and sisters. Whisper the wind all the same.
    Whisper the wind, love one another. Whisper the wind, your precious name.

    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes.
    Spring is alive in Carolina, deep in the forest where the foxfire glows.
    High on a mountain, down in a holler, thunder and lightning, so it goes so it goes.

  4. Chained To The Wheel

    Chained To The Wheel

    Know what you really need
    You can’t get enough
    Too many mouths to feed
    Ain’t life enough
    Call this survival
    Don’t pray for a sign

    Know what you really want
    You can’t get it back
    Down on the water front
    Better watch out jack
    Nights on the mainline
    Rust on the rail

    I’ve seen ’em swindle this town
    I’ve seen ’em tumble it down
    I’ve seen red rivers, fire and steel
    I’ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel

    Know what you mean to me
    Goes deeper than that
    Can’t fight your destiny
    Don’t know where it’s at
    Don’t look for light’n
    Or pray for a sign

    I’ve heard the legends
    I’ve watched the skies
    I feel the power
    The flame in your eyes

    I’ve seen ’em swindle this town
    I’ve seen ’em tumble it down
    I’ve seen red rivers, fire and steel
    I’ve felt the thunder chained to the wheel

Side Two
  1. Two Different Directions

    Two Different Directions

    They say they love each other, I’ve no doubt they do.
    They say they’ll always be together, that may not be true.
    They come from different places, different points of view.
    They find themselves in different spaces, everything is all brand new.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One always on the road somewhere, the other one always stays too often unhappy.

    When you are moving in different directions, true love is all alone.
    Old stories start to surface, patterns from long ago.
    And loving quickly turns to anger for reasons they don’t even know.
    The strongest heart can be broken with one insensitive word.
    The deepest feelings remain unspoken, no one is seen and nothing heard.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One always wants to work things out, the other one wants to play.
    Too ready for changes, too much that just can’t wait.
    When you are moving in different directions, true love can turn to hate.

    If opposites attract each other, what’s the reason for?
    One being like an open window, one just like closing a door.

    Two different directions, too many different ways.
    One likes to see the morning sunrise, the other one sleeps in late.
    Too many tomorrows, too many times too late.
    When you are moving in different directions, true love may have to wait.
    If you are committed to different directions, true love will have to wait.

  2. Hold On To Me

    Hold On To Me

    We were live on arrival, safe home at last. Not cannon fire dockside, no flags half-mast.
    We were sold out for silver and a string of black pearls
    on the loneliest island at the edge of the world.

    Like destiny’s children, souls lost at sea. No room on the lifeboat, you can hold on to me.
    Hold on to me, hold on to me.

    Now the voyage is over, we’re back on dry land.
    In our eyes are the stories, the rope and the brand.

    Like destiny’s children, souls lost at sea. No room on the lifeboat, you can hold on to me.
    Hold on to me, hold on to me. Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me.

    We were live on arrival, safe home at last. Not cannon fire dockside, no flags half-mast.
    We were sold out for silver and a string of black pearls
    on the loneliest island at the edge of the world.

    Hold on to me, hold on to me. Hold on to me, hold on to me, hold on to me.

  3. The Chosen Ones

    The Chosen Ones

    I heard how all the lights went out in memphis
    On the death night anniversary of the king
    The pretenders talking dirty in the palace
    But it doesn’t have that old familiar ring

    I see there’s been some changes in the valley
    All the renegades have finally settled down
    Now they worship in the temples of their rivals
    And desecrate the holy heart of town

    Can’t you hear all those sweet voices singing
    Takin’ care of the chosen ones
    Can’t you hear all those mission bells ringin’
    Say a prayer for the chosen ones

    I read they’re pourin’ oil on troubled waters
    Yet they cast a giant shadow on the land
    Let’s spend another night across the border
    And bury all our secrets in the sand

    Now they claim there is a message in the bible
    They swear there is no master and his slave
    But the future’s lookin’ dim for the lonesome cowboy
    When the hand that rocks that cradle digs the grave

  4. Amazon

    Amazon

    There is a river that runs from the mountains, that one river is all rivers, all rivers are that one. There is a tree that
    stands in the forest, that one tree is all forests, all trees are that one.
    There is a flower that blooms in the desert, that one blossom is all flowers,
    all flowers are that one.
    It is the song of life, it is the flower of faith, it is the tree of temptation it is the river of no regret.

    There is a child that cries in the ghetto, that one child is all children, all children are that one. There is a vision that
    shines in the darkness, that one vision is all of our dreams,
    all of our dreams are that one.
    It is a vision of heaven, it is a child of promise, it is the song of life, it is the river of no regret.

    Let this be a voice for the mountains, let this be a voice for the river,
    let this be a voice for the forest, let this be a voice for the flowers,
    let this be a voice for the ocean, let this be a voice for the desert,
    let this be a voice for the children, let this be a voice for the dreamers,
    let this be a voice of no regret, no regret.

  5. Tenderly Calling

    Tenderly Calling

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    Sometimes when I’m feeling lonesome, and no one on earth seems to care,
    I’m all by myself in the darkness with no one and nothing to share.
    Just when it feels like it’s hopeless and I’ll never make it alone,
    I hear the voices of angels tenderly calling me home,

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    I try to keep it together, I never let on that I’m scared.
    Still sometimes I fall to pieces, scatter and lost everywhere.
    Just when it feels like there’s no one to mend all my broken down dreams,
    I hear a voice deep inside me tenderly calling to me.

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

    So don’t be afraid of the darkness and don’t run away from the storm.
    Stand up and face your reflection, the feelings you try to ignore.
    After the tempest is over, you’ve let yourself come on through.
    You’ll hear a voice in the silence tenderly calling to you.

    Home, come on home, ye who are weary, come home.
    Softly and tenderly calling, home, come on home.

Albums