The Poetry of Rock: With this post, a new series of posts begins based on the Poetry of Rock. This first post is from a song done by Eagles member Don Henley, “The End of The Innocence” (written by Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby), and seems very appropriate in light of the recent passing of Eagles founding member Glenn Frey (a tribute to Frey is in the works) who, with Henley, formed the backbone of the group’s creative output (until Joe Walsh came in to spice it all up). With America in an intense, often derogatory presidential election cycle and the recent passing of so many great rock stars and artists (Frey, David Bowie, Paul Kantner), it does, indeed seem like we’ve lost whatever innocence was left from surviving the last 30 years of the 20th Century and the first 15 of the 21st. The continuing premise of “The Poetry of Rock” category is simple: the very best, most accessible, most highly distributed poetry of our time can be found in the lyrics of rock (and country) music. Sometimes, someone has to shine a light on these things for others to notice just how great the art is that surrounds us everyday. So..let’s get to it. There are a lot of great lyrics (poems) to recognize.
“The End Of The Innocence”
And rolled beneath a deep blue sky
Didn’t have a care in the world
With mommy and daddy standin’ by
But “happily ever after” fails
And we’ve been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers dwell on small details
Since daddy had to flyBut I know a place where we can go
That’s still untouched by men
We’ll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
You can lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocenceO’ beautiful, for spacious skies
But now those skies are threatening
They’re beating plowshares into swords
For this tired old man that we elected king
Armchair warriors often fail
And we’ve been poisoned by these fairy tales
The lawyers clean up all details
Since daddy had to lieBut I know a place where we can go
And wash away this sin
We’ll sit and watch the clouds roll by
And the tall grass wave in the wind
Just lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair spill all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence
Now we’ve come so far, so fast
But, somewhere back there in the dust
That same small town in each of us
I need to remember this
So baby give me just one kiss
And let me take a long last look
Before we say goodbyeJust lay your head back on the ground
And let your hair fall all around me
Offer up your best defense
But this is the end
This is the end of the innocence..”