John Denver live in Aspen - Whalebones And Crosses (1980) video free download


17,956
Duration: 04:01
Uploaded: 2010/02/12

In this video, John Denver was singing "Whalebones and Crosses" in 1980 with the Aspen Festival Orchestra conducted by Lee Holdridge for the Aspen Music Festival.

The scenes are taken from the TV Special "Music And The Mountains" and the audio is taken from an old radio broadcast (hard to combine them together!!), but actually they are from the same concert: Aspen, Colorado, 19th August 1980.

Enjoy the beautiful performance of John Denver and the Aspen Festival Orchestra!

Whalebones and crosses

Stand against the arctic sky

The wind blows through the graveyard

Where our fallen fathers lie

Eternal snow that covers them

The shadows of the sun

The mighty struggle on the seas

A way of life is run

I'll sing for you my father

For the ancient sacred ways

How the hunter loved the hunted

How the night becomes the day

The circle of the mighty spirit

Keeps us in it's fold

The warmth of understanding

Like a light shot through the cold

Then bring to me my people

Touch them with your loving hands

Lead them from confusion

Lead them back unto the land

For a sickness seems to block their path

It clouds my peoples' eyes

The promise that an idle truth

Will reap a golden lie

Whalebones and crosses

Stand against the arctic sky

The wind blows through the graveyard

Where our fallen fathers lie

The timeless hunt a journey back

To what we once came from

Compassion and nobility

Beneath the midnight sun

The mighty struggle of the seas

A way of life... is run

Comments

10 years ago

Brian Smith

JD never got the professional recognition he deserved.He was an amazing musician, singer, song writer and humanitarian. Although he outsold all the 70's artist and packed concerts all you ever heard about was the " big name " R&R groups. I was made fun of in jr high because I was a HUGE fan ( still am ) kids picked on me unmercifully and now after all these years, I find those SAME people listening to JD. He was and is a great inspiration to people all over the globe. Can anyone say THAT about Lead Zeplin?

10 years ago

cedarspringdesign

Did anyone attend the August 24, 1982 concert in the music tent in Aspen? I would love to see any video.

11 years ago

Ty Stratton-Quirk

This is, without a doubt, the most haunting song I have ever heard, as well as the only one that successfully reduced me to tears. And I can't stop listening to it...May he live forever in his music and our hearts.

12 years ago

Tex Gomez

Magnificent!

12 years ago

GrandFanale

So right. What a hauntingly beautiful song. Does anyone write songs/sing about topics like this anymore? John Denver was amazing.

12 years ago

marmar92828

Wow. I remember this song from the 'Autograph' album, which was (I believe) the second JD album I ever got (the first being Greatest Hits Vol. 2) when I was ten or eleven years old. That was in 1981, right about when it first came out. I always thought 'Whalebones and Crosses' was so hauntingly beautiful. When I see the gentleness in his eyes it almost reduces me to tears. What a wonderful man. He wasn't perfect by far, but he touched so many people with his love. RIP, John.

12 years ago

opagier

look real people making real music and real singing

13 years ago

Michael Cabot

A very eery song, and especially because of the truth about it

13 years ago

brian gillman

great vid and song i have been a j. d. fan my whole life and i never heard this before thanks for posting it

14 years ago

Hannah Consiglio

can u post up any more of this special if so thanks jd is my idol and I love the great rare videos that u post of him thanks!!

14 years ago

coronet72

Love finding such precious gems like this of John Denver. Thanks for posting. Truly a man of the world whose songs were full of meaning.

14 years ago

stormspinner1

This is my very very favorite song by John Denver. Thank you for posting this. Favoriting.

15 years ago

jasipospisilka

Breathtaking song, thank you. :)

15 years ago

SarahSofiaGranborg

I just read the text and realized what an amazing job you have done putting sound and pictures together! Thanks you very much for letting us have this experience!

15 years ago

SarahSofiaGranborg

what a wonderful video! This is one of mys favorite songs!

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