This song is somewhat autobiographical, while also meant as commentary on society's obsession with personal material wealth (as opposed to spiritual values that are in everyone's interests).
Single - $0.50
Album - $5.00
Previous peak charts position #213
Previous peak charts position in subgenre #40
J.J. Jeffers
J.J. Jeffers and TTAP
April 21, 2014
Story behind the song
In 1975 I became an ascetic wanderer. By 1984 I awakened to what was really happening, and I saw the ominous signs of the terrible things to come. I saw people following the pretender to the throne and the false shepherds and false prophets who catered to him. And in time I realize I couldn't become like them to defeat them. I could only tell the truth, seek Wisdom, and share it when I was blessed with it.
Lyrics
ALL THAT GLITTERS
I was down by the river, lookin’ for a heart of gold.
A flock was bein' baptized, and the preacher, he was getting old.
The banks there were trampled, and the water was brown,
And over by the bridge were the ruins of a town.
I was out on the street, but few looked me in the eyes.
I had burned some bridges, instead of dealing with some lies.
Some blessed ones took me in, who give all they can.
Like a moth loves the light, we love a flash in the pan.
Well I heard echoes of time, on every stair.
How many songs are there sung to the air?
How many bets are laid to a dealer's pat hand?
Is all that glitters just a flash in the pan?
I was deep in the wilderness, alone with the trees.
And all day long I went sailing on the breeze.
But two steps behind me was the ghost of a woman,
And the thrill of my life, ‘twas just a flash in the pan.
So I went out on the desert, to go through my mind,
Just to search my soul, to see what I could find.
Still over my left shoulder, the ghost of a woman,
And the thrill of my life, still a flash in the pan.
Well I heard echoes of time, on every stair.
How many songs are there sung to the air?
How many bets are laid to a dealer's pat hand?
Is the thrill of a life just a flash in the pan?
Then I heard the voice of Wisdom; she’s what I need.
She told me how I should sow this seed.
So I just sing my songs, like a one man band.
I know the thrill of a life can be right here at hand.
I still hear echoes of time, but I don’t climb stairs.
I hope my songs are not sung to the air.
I don’t lay any bets to a dealer's pat hand.
I know all that glitters is always right here at hand.
Copyright © 2009 - 2014 J.J. Jeffers and TTAP
(Wisdom verse added in 2008, original song written in 1978.)
Written and recorded by Jeffers