Discussion - Harrison lyrics

[FPSHOT]

This is a new topic Hari's Chick and I have been talking about.

Like on the Today's Song, we have very interesting discussions regarding the lyrics of Harrisongs. Personally I love those, going deep in to the meaning behind the words.

So often one reads the lyrics and may think "how nice" like in a very simple love tune or spiritual song.

However many of us have experienced that when reading the lyrics word by word, it becomes clear or clearer what he intends to say.

Like 'the further one travels, the less one knows'. We've all sang along maybe with this song without maybe realizing what is meant.

So, we would like to start here a discussion about the songs and would love you to join.

Together we can learn from our interpretations graemlins/smile1.gif

[FPSHOT]

Starting this, there is a discusion about "Rising Sun" at the Two-days topic. I will drag that over here.

First, not to start too technical, I want to take you on a little Henley tour.

The lyrics to the song "Pisces Fish" come mainly from bike rides as Olivia describes at the "Brainwashed" interview with Jools Holland.

Bike rides along Henley.

Now following the lyrics;

Rowers gliding on the river Canadian geese crap along the bank Back wheel of my bike begins to quiver

I have found no geese, but there is a picture which has rowers, gliding on the river, and you can see the bike riders at the right hand side

http://www.henleyrowingclub.org/Pictures/HomeCountries/WJ4x.jpg

Smoke signals from the brewery

Henley has a few breweries, like this one

http://www.fellwalk.co.uk/thame802.htm

or this one

http://www.brakspear.co.uk/

There's a temple on an island

Here is the 'temple on an island'

http://www.henley-on-thames.com/

1. go to Visitor Guide
2. scroll downwards
3. meet Temple Island
4. Double Click for a better view

Blades go skimming through the water
I hear the coxon shouting his
instructions about
With this crew oh it could be a tall order


maybe like this?

http://www.henleyrowingclub.org/Pictures/HomeCountries/ollie.jpg

So, that was a little tour along the lyrics.

Now as for the lyrics as a whole, from what Olivia says I believe it is George looking back on his life and the pleasure of being outside in the country area and enjoying what he comes across on a bike ride.

Old ladies, who must be doggie training
Walking, throwing balls, chasing all the sheep
While the farmer stands around,
and he's complaining
His mad cows are being put to sleep

just a description of a nice bike ride, translated in the Harrison way of playing with words and in these few words put
a) the beauty of the farmland
b) his life as a true vegetarian

I love bike rides and living very close to the country side like farms, acres, rivers, green, I know exactly the feeling as he describes.

Riding along those things as he mentions, sightings, one thinks about the beauty of it and at the same time can think of serious things. Like problems, thoughts about that come out better in an environment like George describes.

Like someone in there found the latest Pope
In a vat of beer that keeps pumping out with fury
While the churchbell ringer's tangled
in his rope

a left verse to P2Vatican blues?

There's a temple on an island
I think of all the Gods and what they feel
You can only find them in the deepest silence
I got to get off of this big wheel

So from the scenery of the Temple Island he moves in his mind to 'the Gods and what they feel' and his feeling of meditation and maybe his love for the silence of his garden come along, remember what he says in the EPK about

'the moment I get out of the gate I think; what the heck am I doing here'

so that my be

'You can only find them in the deepest silence
I got to get off of this big wheel'

okay, the bike ride was okay, but now let's get back to Friar Park and let me be in the garden and meditate. The search for peace and quiet.


And I'll be swimming until I can find
those waters
That one unbounded ocean of bliss

Olivia says George will be swimming till he finds those waters and maybe now he has found that ocean of bliss.

Some times my life it seems like fiction
Some of the days it's really quite serene
I'm a living proof of all life's contradictions
One half's going where the other half's just been

doubts? I'm not sure. He seems to be 'thinking' deeply here. Weighing.

So, an opening to a discussion.

Here are the lyrics

Pisces Fish

Rowers gliding on the river
Canadian geese crap along the bank
Back wheel of my bike begins to quiver
The chain is wrapped around the crank

Old ladies, who must be doggie training
Walking, throwing balls, chasing all the sheep
While the farmer stands around,
and he's complaining
His mad cows are being put to sleep
and I'm a Pisces fish and the rivers runs
through my soul

Smoke signals from the brewery
Like someone in there found the latest Pope
In a vat of beer that keeps pumping out with fury
While the churchbell ringer's tangled
in his rope

There's a temple on an island
I think of all the Gods and what they feel
You can only find them in the deepest silence
I got to get off of this big wheel

And I'm a Pisces fish and the river runs
through my soul
I'm a Pisces fish and the river runs
through my soul

And I'll be swimming until I can find
those waters
That one unbounded ocean of bliss
That's flowing through your parents,
sons and daughters
But still an easy thing for us to miss

Blades go skimming through the water
I hear the coxon shouting his
instructions about
With this crew oh it could be a tall order
Have we time to sort all of these things out?

Some times my life it seems like fiction
Some of the days it's really quite serene
I'm a living proof of all life's contradictions
One half's going where the other
half's just been
And I'm a Pisces fish and the river runs
through my soul

[ Sep 24, 2003, 02:55 AM: Message Edited By: FPSHOT ]

[old_moon_shining]

Nice topic FPSHOT. A relatively simple one to get the ball rolling. The 'temple' - yes and thanks. That bit was puzzling me. Obviously he has a slightly deeper meaning here than just his observations along the river. The second last verse give us something to think about.

Blades go skimming through the water
I hear the coxon shouting his instructions about
With this crew oh it could be a tall order
Have we time to sort all of these things out?

I think he is talking about more than rowers here.
Interestingly in the printed lyrics it is spelt 'coxon' and the correct spelling is 'coxswain'.

[Hari's Chick]

Originally Posted By old_moon_shining:
Interestingly in the printed lyrics it is spelt 'coxon' and the correct spelling is 'coxswain'.<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Oh gee, I thought he said .... graemlins/wink2.gif

[old_moon_shining]

Now now, there is another topic for that sort of thing. images/icons/wink.gif

[Hari's Chick]

graemlins/laugh2.gif

[Siobhan]

This is a nice topic FPSHOT. It's good to be able to go into the lyrics and find the real meanings behind the songs. It's not something many of us have time for these days when listening to music. Good song to start off with. images/icons/smile.gif

[sourmilkpinky]

Like someone in there found the latest Pope
In a vat of beer that keeps pumping out with fury
While the churchbell ringer's tangled
in his rope

a left verse to P2Vatican blues?
<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Do you think maybe he still had questions about religion? Some last minute doubts?

[Savoy Truffle]

Hmmm....I don't think so. I think it's just George making more comment on the hypocracy of the Catholic Church.

Well, for what it's worth, here are my present thoughts on this song. images/icons/smile.gif

First off, I think some of the best lines he's ever written are in this song, particularly the last verse. Very deep meaning in this song.

Canadian geese crap along the banks

Well maybe not one of his best lines, haha, but definitely one unique to him. No one else would put a line like this is such a beautiful, philosophical song. And those birds really do crap a lot! images/icons/smile.gif I really smile at the picture he paints of his back bike wheel quivering here, etc., and maybe losing balance and getting his feet stuck in all the crap.

Sometimes my life it seems like fiction
Some of the days it's really quite serene

Maybe when he looks back on events of his life they read like someone's novel or seem unreal or tumultous, the other side of the coin to serene. Pointing out a contradiction maybe that he refers to in the next line

I'm a sum of all life's contradictions
One half's going where the other half's just been (his Piscean nature?)

And I'm a Pisces fish and the river runs through my soul

I just love this line. I feel that throughout the song he equates the Thames with the river of life perhaps. And suggests that the sights and sounds of it are as ingrained into his very being or soul as that other river.

Also when he was talking with Timothy White I think he said that the song was about the "eternal river that runs by my house."

Well, that's about all for now. Great topic FP and HC! images/icons/smile.gif

[beatlebangs1964]

In late January, Olivia and Dhani were interviewed about Brainwashed. They both said that George in effect saw himself as that "Pisces Fish" in that he tended to "swim away from conflict" and that he didn't like confrontation. (Boy, can I relate to that)!

These are all good points and very interesting to think about. I guess yet another possible interpretation of this song is that George, like that fish saw himself as being ambivalent as to which approach or position to take. Not that I'd ever categorize George as "wishy-washy," which I think is inaccurate, but as logically viewing an issue from every possible angle before arriving at a conclusion.

[old_moon_shining]

Originally Posted By Savoy Truffle:

Very deep meaning in this song.

Canadian geese crap along the banks

Well maybe not one of his best lines, haha, but definitely one unique to him. <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I read somewhere that this was a cheezy and bad line. I love it and agree wholeheartedly with Savoy and it reveals something about him. That was just George and only he could pull it off so well.

About the bike chain, the more regular bike riders might know more about this, but when you start to pedal hard and the chain engages, because there is no momentum forward, there is a little quiver.

I think he avoided confrontation. He just wanted a peaceful life. He'd had enough excitement.

[old_moon_shining]

For me, George was the ultimate observer. This song really contains so much. He sees little things, and some big like the river, and applies them by way of illustration to a deeper subject.

He sees the little temple and then goes on to think of something about God then about his own life.

He sees the brewery and has another very humourous dig at the Catholic Church. I didn't get that he was questioning in this verse. Mind you, I get it in plenty of other places.

The the river he applies and the 'coxon' too. On the surface it is about a little bike ride along the Thames but if you look carefully it is a very philosophical commentary. Something for everyone.

[Siobhan]

Originally Posted By old_moon_shining:
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Originally Posted By Savoy Truffle:

Very deep meaning in this song.

Canadian geese crap along the banks

Well maybe not one of his best lines, haha, but definitely one unique to him. <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I read somewhere that this was a cheezy and bad line. I love it and agree wholeheartedly with Savoy and it reveals something about him. That was just George and only he could pull it off so well.

</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I don't think this line is cheezy at all. It adds to the imagery of the song. And it is typical of George, that his lyrics aren't formulaic. He says what he wants to say, not what he may be expected to say.

[Savoy Truffle]

Originally posted by Siobhan:
I don't think this line is cheezy at all. It adds to the imagery of the song. And it is typical of George, that his lyrics aren't formulaic. He says what he wants to say, not what he may be expected to say.
<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I don't think it is either. And I think you're totally right Siobhan about it adding to the imagery of the song. Even though it may not have looked like it in my previous post, I love this line too. I love the whole song; it's just beautiful and I think i says so much about George the man.

And one of the reasons I love George so much as a songwriter is because his lyrics are so original.

[Savoy Truffle]

Originally Posted By old_moon_shining:

About the bike chain, the more regular bike riders might know more about this, but when you start to pedal hard and the chain engages, because there is no momentum forward, there is a little quiver.

<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Ahhh.... Now I see! Thanks for explaining this old_moon. images/icons/smile.gif I haven't ridden a bike in ages so I'd forgotten.

[old_moon_shining]

Originally Posted By FPSHOT:

Like someone in there found the latest Pope
In a vat of beer that keeps pumping out with fury
While the churchbell ringer's tangled
in his rope

a left verse to P2Vatican blues?
<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">I note your question mark here FPSHOT. Certainly another joke about the 'white smoke' but I don't think it is a left-over verse. Seems to me those thoughts hit him when he saw the brewery.

Which all makes me wonder what others think about when he wrote this. The 'mad cow' reference makes me think mid-nineties when the disease became explosive in the UK and thousands were killed.

I was looking back through our archives and found this quote.

Uhm, I thought Pisces Fish had some horrible lyrics... "Canadian Geese crap along the bank" bit and "are mad cows being put to sleep" immediatly comes to mind...


We've discussed 'the geese' how about 'the mad cow' disease? Good line or not?

[FPSHOT]

Mad cows, great !! did not look at it like that, yes ofcourse the mad cows disaster. That must be it.

What I mean with the ? and Vatican blues is that that verse seems just a little cynical towards the church again, like P2 is about.

[old_moon_shining]

I'm still interested in trying my hand at songwriting and I've a couple of further numbers. Trouble is I can't write lyrics. If I could write lyrics as easy as I could write melodies I would be turning them out like Paul and John.
I could write lyrics quick but I would think them corny. I'd want to get them right even if it took two months to do. But we don't get a lot of time and it is not a necessity really, that is why I am a bit lax.
George in "Mersey Beat" Febr. 1964

Your signature FPSHOT, which I have read before, is about one of the sadest things I have seen George say.

[ Sep 27, 2003, 01:16 AM: Message Edited By: old_moon_shining ]

[FPSHOT]

Yeah sadest indeed knowing now what he came up with after saying that. In many songs he has proved his skills as a great poet and songwriter.

Here at the Abbey Road Forum there is a topic about the Mersey Beat paper Bill Harry has and you can read the story George wrote early 60's in Mersey Beat where I got this quote from.

[ Sep 27, 2003, 01:25 AM: Message Edited By: FPSHOT ]

[Savoy Truffle]

Originally Posted By old_moon_shining:
I was looking back through our archives and found this quote.

Uhm, I thought Pisces Fish had some horrible lyrics... "Canadian Geese crap along the bank" bit and "are mad cows being put to sleep" immediatly comes to mind...

We've discussed 'the geese' how about 'the mad cow' disease? Good line or not?<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Well I can definitely see why some people would think that's a bad line. I think this is a great line, (and I'm sure he's referring to Britain's mad cow crisis) and again like the geese very unique to George. I thought it was very interesting that he used the term "being put to sleep" rather than referring to them being slaughtered. But then such a violent image would not fit in with this beautiful peaceful song.

[Siobhan]

I don't think the mad cow line is bad either. It's not pretty, but it was a big issue over here a couple of years ago. George was very aware of environmental issues, and I am not at all surprised he brought this up in one of his songs. And, as Savoy mentioned, he says it almost delicately (I'm not sure if that's the right word, but I hope you know what I mean!), so as not to take away from the beauty of the song.

[Legs]

Thanks for the visual tour FPSHOT. I always though the lyrics were things that George observed, "and the river runs through my soul" observing everything that passes along.
But I couldn't place ever lyric,the bit of putting cows to sleep is also familiar here in The Netherlands.This discusion has been great so far.

If we can do another lyric, I wonder what some of your thoughts are about "The Lord Loves The One, That Loves The Lord". I find the lyrics a bit to harsh, un George like. I thought the lord loved everyone. And what about the line "The lord loves the ones that help themselves". I think of people who only care about themselves, when I hear that line.

Much of the lyrics reminds me to much of the traditional and a fundamilistisch way of religion, something George had stepped away from. Now someone prove me wrong.

[LittleDarlin909]

great topic FPSHOT!

i always love george's lyrics images/icons/smile.gif and pisces fish is a wonderful example! the lyrics are just. . .so george. does that make sense to yall? i guess i mean that it's got that blend of honesty, philosophical insight, and dry wit. "i'm a living proof of all life's contradictions. . ." brilliant! great song images/icons/grin.gif

[FPSHOT]

"So George" they are.

Right, Legs suggested to focus on

The Lord Loves The One That Loves The Lord

Well, let's start with the lyrics

The Lord loves the one
that loves the Lord
And the law says if you don't give,
then you don't get loving

Now the Lord helps those that help themselves
And the law says whatever you do
is going to come right back on you

We all making out
Like we own this whole world
While the leaders of nations
They're acting like big girls
With no thoughts for their God
Who provides us with all
But when death comes to claim them
Who will stand, and who will fall?

The Lord loves the one that loves
the Lord
And the law says if you don't give,
then you don't get loving

Now the Lord helps those that help themselves
And the law says whatever you do
is going to come right back on you

We all move around,
with objectives in mind,
to become rich or famous,
With our reputations signed,
But the few that can reach,
to this coveted slot,
don't escape old age creeping,
through their bodies, like a rot

While the Lord loves the one
that loves the Lord
And the law says if you don't give,
then you don't get loving
Now the Lord helps those that help themselves
And the law says whatever you do
is going to come right back on you
----------

Now Legs, what you say about
"I thought the lord loved everyone. And what about the line "The lord loves the ones that help themselves". I think of people who only care about themselves, when I hear that line."

First, actually the tittle of the song is

"The Lord Loves The One"

"The One" so that is everybody. The word "One" is often used in SRF (Self Realization Fund) services and writings. SRF Brothers and Sisters often open with "Dear One" (that's where that other song got his title). So the word "One" I believe fits all.

Then, the main verse has two separations;

"The Lord Loves ...."
versus
"and the Law says ..."

one step further, combining the versus it reads

The Lord Loves The One ..that loves the Lord .. and that help themselves.

So in fact all.

Contrary to the Law which is described too, read it back and then take this in consideration.

The basic of the song is the badge according to I Me Mine

We all making out
Like we own this whole world
While the leaders of nations
They're acting like big girls
With no thoughts for their God
Who provides us with all
But when death comes to claim them
Who will stand, and who will fall?

George wrote this song after a visit of Swami A.C. Bhaktivedanta where Swami brought those words.

They were talking about the fact that most people in their lives are struggeling for fame or fortune or wealth. Really non of that is important, because in the end death will take it away.

So you spend your life struggeling for something which basically is a waste of time.

George adds; most of the world is fooling about, especially the people who think they control the world and the community. The presidents, the politicians, are all jerking about acting as if they are the Lord over their own domains. That's basically Problem #1 of this planet.

Everybody thinks they are the Lord, and after imposing their will on others, fall in to an unhappy state, because they are not the Lord.

The Lord doesn't manifest through ego. So many are thinking they own it or are in control of it. This is a big joke and damaging.

He ends by saying this is not to tell others only about this, he also writes it in order to make himself better.

Those are the I Me Mine words.

I believe that combines the two parts of the song.

The first being the part where George describes the difference between the Lord and the law. The Lord loves all, even those who only think of themselves. The ego's or worse.

Today Hari's Chick gave a perfect description in another topic and I quote (I assume with permission)
"It's like people say, God hates the sin but loves the sinner."

That is what I believe George is saying in these verses.

The other part is the projection of what happens in the world.

It's about the quality of life, what does one do with the time they are in this life.

At least that is my impression of the song, and I am very open to other views.

[Hari's Chick]

Originally Posted By Legs:
And what about the line "The lord loves the ones that help themselves". I think of people who only care about themselves, when I hear that line.

Much of the lyrics reminds me to much of the traditional and a fundamilistisch way of religion, something George had stepped away from. Now someone prove me wrong.<font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">What I get from this line...is that in so many places maybe people want a situation to change, so they pray for that to manifest, which is fine, but.... on a spiritual path, say, the aspirant is supposed to be a partner with God in the progress. I have heard you can think about it in the terms (roughly of course, ha..) God will do 50%, Guru will do 25%, but the other 25% is still up to you! lol So, God can tell us what is right, how to live; Guru can further explain the specifics of those principles; but then each of us have to do the work of manifesting those principles in our lives.

"The Lord Loes the One
that loves the Lord"

...this can also be taken in the way of, we all have Krishna within...so the Lord loves the one, who loves the Lord~ say, the Lord manifest in our daily lives, through our kids, friends, spouses, animals, people on the freeway who are nasty images/icons/smile.gif

"And the Lord helps those that help themselves~ and the law says whatever you do's going to come right back on you"

Okay, nothing harsh...just simple karma. Some people think karma is bad, but it is neither good nor bad really...that is just our perception of it. If you give loving, it comes back...if you give anger, well, that comes back then instead.

images/icons/smile.gif

[ Sep 30, 2003, 08:44 PM: Message Edited By: Hari's Chick ]

[old_moon_shining]

Isn't this a good question, Legs.

Just to put a bit of a biblical spin on it, there is the very well know words of Jesus at John 3:16. "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten Son, in order that everyone exercising faith...etc". So I think this explains what George is saying. God offers his love to us, but we are expected to reciprocate by exercising faith, if we don't then we don't get the advantage of that love.

[Legs]

Originally Posted By Hari's Chick:

"The Lord Loes the One
that loves the Lord"

...this can also be taken in the way of, we all have Krishna within...so the Lord loves the one, who loves the Lord~ say, the Lord manifest in our daily lives, through our kids, friends, spouses, animals, people on the freeway who are nasty images/icons/smile.gif

"And the Lord helps those that help themselves~ and the law says whatever you do's going to come right back on you"

Okay, nothing harsh...just simple karma. Some people think karma is bad, but it is neither good nor bad really...that is just our perception of it. If you give loving, it comes back...if you give anger, well, that comes back then instead.

images/icons/smile.gif <font size="2" face="Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif">Thanks alot for that, it helped me to understand the lyrics better. So that is Hari's Chick
will do 50%, FPSHOT with Old Moon will do 25%, and the other 25% is up to me to find out the meaning of the lyrics. images/icons/wink.gif See I am learning images/icons/smile.gif

I was strugeling with the bit of "God help the ones who helps themselves". Somewhere in my mind I knew that it had to be about helping ourselves discover our path in life. But I had problems in reading the lyrics. Wish I had thought it more through images/icons/frown.gif

But not ending on a sad smilie, re-reading it and with what has been said about the song, and what I believe myself, that God is within us all. I now have a better understanding of the song. images/icons/wink.gif

[FPSHOT]

Okay, who will pick up my invitation to start a discussion about one of the Harrisongs, mainly the lyrics.

[FPSHOT]

I'd love to get this topic back on.

I have been in to the song "The Lord Loves The One" so much the last week and I find the lyrics so very inspiring and even still effective.

Look at 2004 and sing;

We all making out
Like we own this whole world
While the leaders of nations
They're acting like big girls
With no thoughts for their God
Who provides us with all
But when death comes to claim them
Who will stand, and who will fall?


It's still valid, right?

[Savoy Truffle]

Oh yes, it is still valid. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif The world and human nature in particular has not changed much over the years.

I like this song a lot. It has very true lyrics. It also has a really great groove to it . I know some people find it to be preachy or harsh but I don't look at it this way at all.

I particularly like the way George sings the line "And the law says is you don't give then you don't get loving" Very true and for some reason it always makes me smile.

[FPSHOT]

[ QUOTE ]
Savoy Truffle Posted:
Oh yes, it is still valid. http://www.beatlelinks.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif I know some people find it to be preachy or harsh but I don't look at it this way at all.

I particularly like the way George sings the line "And the law says if you don't give then you don't get loving" Very true and for some reason it always makes me smile.

[/ QUOTE ]

Many people think of it as too preachy but those hide and choose not no think spiritual and by doing that they miss out on a lot of beauty in their life. They don't take time to read between the lines and do not think.... "hey what made this Beatle person change tune to that way of life" they often stayed in his music only, like with soccer fans who forget the players after the game is over.

I am glad there are many people who went for "the life and music of George Harrison" , in that order, like Clapper said it on the Concert For George. A tiny detail, however so important.

"if you don't give then you don't get loving" oh yes, it's a two way thing and basically needs to originate from 'you'. It's not like "just sitting in another chair" and say "ah thanks for the love" and from another "oh you that is kind" and pickl a hand and take that offered love and at the same time pick the remote control to watch TV...nah, and there it is a bit the Harrisonic humor, whereas he probably meant to say "the Lord says if you don't ....." but to make it understandable for some more, he used a word which in singing sounds close to it "the Law".

Great song. Over the last days I have been thinking about how it would sound in 2001 and will write a separate topic on that.

[FPSHOT]

Nice to bring this back to the audience.

In a few weeks time taxgirl and I will be walking along the river George talks about in Pisces Fish and through Henley and see Friak Park. Can't wait.

[Hari's Chick]

That's lovely news! You will have to post pics, FP. I went to Friar Park with my Mom, and we always hoped to return.

Someday I may return with my soul mate. We're making plans, now finances just need to catch up! :laugh5:

[beatlebangs1964]

HC, I would love to hear your accounts of Friar Park. I would also love to see any pictures anybody cares to post.

[Hari's Chick]

Henley was so lovely. Mom and I visited during summer of 1985. We were on a tour and had certain free days, so with one day we went to Liverpool and another we went to Henley.

It was pouring rain that day! When a taxi got us from the train station, I asked for the address on Paradise Rd, and the driver said, "Oh, George's place!" :smile1: He told us that George was in town, and that if we wanted to wait for him, he often would come out in the afternoons. The driver was so sweet. He took pics of Mom and I in front of Friar Park. He asked if we wanted to wait for George, and that he could come back at a time for us. But I said no.... I really felt I did not want to invade George's privacy?

So instead we went and peeked at the Row Barge Pub, which was George's favorite... and looked around in the town a little. We had cake with cream - which they poured on top, and I'd never seen cake served that way! They had a supermarket in Henley, which was bigger than all the London grocery stores. There was a sweet little bookstore, and the woman knew George.

That was about it. :smile1:

[misfittoy]

I dream about going and walking by the gate. (and hoping I don't get chased away for just looking)

[beatlebangs1964]

"I Want to Tell You" is my favorite George with the Beatles song. He said in his book that the song was about communication and resulting concerns when there is a breakdown in communication.