The Dream- Lyrics from Outcasts, Rebels, Hobos and Bards

Inspired by John Lennon’s Imagine. Reimagined as a road song written and performed by Arlo Guthrie.

Verse 1:

In a world where the rivers run clear,

And the mountains echo songs of cheer,

There’s a place where all souls convene,

A haven where love’s eternally serene.

Verse 2:

Picture fields where no fences confine,

Where every heart beats in rhythm divine,

In this tapestry of colours and dreams,

Harmony reigns in a symphony supreme.

Chorus:

Imagine a world where borders dissolve,

And all hatred dissolves into resolve,

With singer’s voice and writer’s dream,

We’ll craft a realm where hope reigns supreme.

Verse 3:

No more wars, no battles to fight,

Just the stars guiding us through the night,

Hand in hand, we’ll journey afar,

To a place where peace and love are our guiding stars.

Bridge:

With guitar strumming soft and low,

And shared vision, let our spirits flow,

Through the valleys and over the hills,

Let love be the cure for all our ills.

Chorus:

Imagine a world where borders dissolve,

And all hatred dissolves into resolve,

With singer’’s voice and writer’s dream,

We’ll craft a realm where hope reigns supreme.

Outro:

So let’s sing this song with hearts entwined,

And let our souls be forever aligned,

With a bard’s folk spirit and poet’s plea,

Imagine the world as it’s meant to be.

Artist Statement:

“The Dream” draws inspiration from John Lennon’s iconic “Imagine,” reimagined with a road song twist by Arlo Guthrie. It employs a blend of folk and protest music elements, utilizing vivid imagery and hopeful rhetoric to paint a utopian vision of a harmonious world. Let’s delve into a technical analysis of the song’s structure, lyrics, melody, and thematic elements.

Structure:

The song follows a traditional structure with verses, chorus, bridge, and outro, adhering to a typical folk song arrangement.

It begins with two verses introducing the idyllic vision of the world.

The chorus serves as a recurring motif emphasizing the central theme of unity and hope.

A bridge breaks the pattern, offering a moment of reflection and musical variation.

The outro brings the song to a gentle conclusion, reinforcing the message of unity and harmony.

Lyrics:

The lyrics are characterized by vivid imagery and poetic language, reminiscent of folk and protest music traditions.

Each verse presents a utopian landscape, describing a world free from conflict and division.

The chorus serves as a call to action, inviting listeners to envision and strive for a better world.

Themes of peace, love, unity, and hope permeate the entire song, reflecting the spirit of idealism and activism.

Melody:

The melody is simple yet evocative, with a gentle and uplifting quality that resonates with the song’s message.

It follows a traditional folk chord progression, allowing the focus to remain on the lyrics and message.

The vocal delivery is earnest and emotive, with Guthrie’s usual hint of mischief, the sincerity and passion behind the lyrics.

Instrumentation:

The instrumentation is sparse, featuring acoustic guitar as the primary accompaniment.

The gentle strumming of the guitar sets a relaxed and contemplative mood, complementing the lyrical content.

Additional instrumentation, if any, is kept minimal to maintain the intimate and organic feel of the song.

Thematic Elements:

The central theme of the song is the pursuit of a utopian vision of peace and unity.

It serves as a call to action, urging listeners to imagine and work towards a world free from conflict and division.

The song draws parallels to the protest music of the 1960s, echoing sentiments of social justice and collective action.

By reimagining John Lennon’s “Imagine” as a road song, the song adds a sense of journey and adventure to the pursuit of utopia.