John Denver – Foxfire Suite

About the song

Foxfire Suite is a song cycle written and recorded by American singer-songwriter John Denver. It was released in 1975 as the title track of his sixth studio album. The song is a seven-part suite that tells the story of a young couple who fall in love and build a life together in the mountains of Appalachia.

The suite is named after the Foxfire magazine, which was founded in 1966 by a group of high school students in Rabun County, Georgia. The magazine is dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Appalachian Mountains. Denver was a fan of the magazine, and he was inspired by its stories to write Foxfire Suite.

The suite begins with the song “Introduction“, which sets the scene for the story. The song describes the beauty of the Appalachian Mountains and the simple life of the people who live there. The second song, “On the Banks of the Ohio“, tells the story of the young couple’s first meeting. The third song, “The Foxfire“, describes the couple’s love for each other and their commitment to building a life together. The fourth song, “The Wedding Song“, celebrates the couple’s marriage. The fifth song, “Matthew“, tells the story of the couple’s son. The sixth song, “Farewell“, describes the couple’s sadness as they leave their home in the mountains. The seventh and final song, “Come Home Again“, expresses the couple’s hope that they will one day return to the mountains.

Foxfire Suite is a beautiful and moving song cycle that celebrates the love of nature, the power of love, and the importance of home. Denver’s lyrics are poetic and evocative, and his melodies are simple and haunting. The suite is a masterpiece of American songwriting, and it is a testament to Denver’s talent as a songwriter and performer.

John Denver was one of the most popular and successful singer-songwriters of the 1970s. He was known for his gentle voice, his optimistic outlook on life, and his love of the outdoors. Denver had a string of hit singles, including “Take Me Home, Country Roads“, “Rocky Mountain High“, and “Annie’s Song“. He was also a successful actor, appearing in the films Oh, God! and The Muppet Movie. Denver died in a plane crash in 1997 at the age of 53.

Foxfire Suite is a classic album by a classic artist. It is a timeless work of art that will continue to be enjoyed by generations to come.

Video

Lyrics

“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.