About the song
John Denver’s “Eagles and Horses”
“Eagles and Horses” is a song written and performed by John Denver. It was released in 1971 on his album Poems, Prayers, and Promises. The song is a beautiful and moving ode to the natural world and the creatures that inhabit it.
The song begins with Denver singing about the majesty of the eagle. He sings about how the eagle soars through the air, free and unfettered. He also sings about how the eagle is a symbol of strength and power.
The song then shifts to the horse. Denver sings about how the horse is a creature of beauty and grace. He also sings about how the horse is a symbol of freedom and the wild spirit.
The chorus of the song is a powerful and moving statement about the importance of the natural world. Denver sings, “Eagles and horses, they’re free to roam/They’re creatures of the wild, they’re not our own/They belong to the sky, they belong to the earth/They belong to the wind, they belong to the sea.”
The song ends with Denver singing about how we must all do our part to protect the natural world. He sings, “We must protect the eagle, we must protect the horse/We must protect the land, we must protect the sea/We must protect all living things, for they are our brothers and sisters.”
“Eagles and Horses” is a beautiful and important song that speaks to the importance of the natural world. It is a song that is still relevant today, as we face an environmental crisis. The song is a reminder that we must all do our part to protect the planet for future generations.
Some additional information about the song:
- The song was inspired by Denver’s love of nature. He was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist.
- The song has been covered by many artists, including Joan Baez, Judy Collins, and Willie Nelson.
- The song was used in the 1972 film Jeremiah Johnson.
Video
Lyrics
“Eagles And Horses”
Horses are creatures who worship the earth as they gallop on feet of ivory.Constrained by the wonder of dying and birth, the horses still run, they are free.My body is merely the shell of my soul but the flesh must be given its due.Like a pony that carries its rider back home, like an old friend that’s tried and been true.I had a vision of eagles and horses high on a ridge in a race with the wind.Going higher and higher and faster and faster, on eagles and horses, I’m flying again.Eagles inhabit the heavenly heights, they know neither limit nor bound.
They’re the guardian angels of darkness and light, they see all and hear every sound.
My spirit will never be broken or caught for the soul is a free-flying thing.
Like an eagle that needs neither comfort nor thought to rise up on glorious wings.
I had a vision of eagles and horses high on a ridge in a race with the wind.My body is merely the shell of my soul, but the flesh must be given its due.
Like a pony that carries its master back home, like an old friend that’s tried and been true.
My spirit will never be broken or caught for the soul is a free-flying thing.
Like an eagle that needs neither comfort nor thought to rise up on glorious wings.
I had a vision of eagles and horses high on a ridge in a race with the wind.