Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners)

Subject: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 08:49 AM

Finally, after about three years, I got hold of a copy of the Flatlanders album (More a Legend than a Band). This is such a great album that I am playing it the way I used to play Shirelles records -- 300 times until my parents threw me out of the house, except my parents have (alas) passed on. However, I am unable to locate the words to the lyrics of the weirdest of songs, "Bhagavan Decreed". Anyone out there (a) have these lyrics; (b) has some kind of explanation of what they mean?

Did I say this was a great album? (The new one from the Flatlanders, many years later, Now Again, is not even in the same league of inspired whatever).

yours,

Peter T.

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Hillheader
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 11:52 AM

This may help

Good luck with the explanation!!!

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 12:13 PM

Gee thanks. yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 03:41 PM

I think "Bhagwan"—alternative spelling "Bhagavan"—is a Hindi or perhaps Sanskrit term for "god." Anybody remember Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh?

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Peter T.
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 04:44 PM

Oh Yes. The author was a student of a Bhagavan at the time (not Bhagwan). yours, Peter T.

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Stewie
Date: 10 Oct 03 - 08:49 PM

I recall reading somewhere that Gilmore also was involved with some eastern sect in Colorado in the latter half of the 1970s.

--Stewie.

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 08 - 02:00 PM

Gilmore was not a student of Bhagwan. He was, from what I know, and may still be a student, friend really (student sounds so stuffy) of Prem Rawat also called Maharaji. I am as well. Some of the songs here are beautiful to me because of this shared connection, I guess. "One Day at a Time" is, to me, about being in the moment, not living past or present.

Hope this helps. Check out video to see/hear Prem speaking:

http://video.maharaji.net/view.php?id=1005

Deece

Subject: RE: 'Bhagavan Decreed' Flatlanders lyric?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jul 08 - 06:45 PM

Allmusic.com says BHAGAVAN DECREED was written by Ed Vizard. It appears on The Flatlanders' album "More a Legend Than a Band," which was released by Rounder in 1990, although the songs were recorded in the 70s. The Flatlanders consisted of Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Joe Ely, Butch Hancock, Tony Person, and Steve Wesson (not all at the same time, though).

I transcribed these lyrics from a sound sample:

...And I'm sayin' goodbye to those old-time demons, darlin'.
Leave at your own risk, not mine.

Why can't you make it to the place you're always goin' to?
Could it be you're goin' to all the time?
Well, I might be travelin' back....

Subject: Lyr Add: BHAGAVAN DECREED (Ed Vizard)
From: GUEST,Sam
Date: 20 Jan 09 - 07:48 PM

I tried my best to transcribe the song, this is what I hear.

Rains cannot defeat me when I'm stoned little darling
Sticks and stones can beat you out of time
And I'm standing on the brink of a bridge that's black at sunrise
I don't think I'll be home in time to dine

Each plant has a root that's dipped in blood
So later on we'll all find out we're just nameless mud
And I'm sayin' good bye to those old-time demons darling
Leave at your own risk, not mine

Why can't you make it to the place you're always going to
Could it be you're going to all the time
Well I might be traveling backwards when I wake up tomorrow
If you must go wont you please leave me a dime

The earth turns on a bhagavan decreed
So later on we'll see ourselves and all be free
But sayin' goodbye to you is suicidal darling
Don't hang your mind if just where I hang mine*

Life is a quarry you can dig all you want too
Rock and jump and borrow* up or down
And you can burn your brain cells out just trying to get higher
But you'll find the highest place is underground

They've got you like the moon has got the tide
You say your drifting babe you're going for a ride
You say one day soon we will all stand as brothers
Till then I guess we'll just stand around

*just means I'm not 100% on the word or phrase.

sorry this had to come so late.
-Sam

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners
From: GUEST,drdork
Date: 16 Mar 09 - 04:45 PM

A few suggested corrections to Sam's transcription:

The earth turns on as Bhagavan decreed

Don't hang your mind up just where I hang mine

Rockin' jumpin' ball go up or down

You say you're tripping babe, you're going for a ride

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 12:11 PM

a couple of suggestions

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners
From: GUEST
Date: 04 Aug 09 - 12:14 PM

How about the following small suggestions (IN CAPS):

BRAINS cannot defeat me when I'm stoned little darling

I don't think I'll be home in time to DIE

The earth turns on a bhagavan DECREE

Don't hang your mind UP just where I hang mine

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners)
From: GUEST
Date: 11 Jul 10 - 01:49 AM

TRAINS cannot defeat me...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners)
From: GUEST,uncle fred
Date: 30 Jul 10 - 04:45 PM

The name of the band is Flatlanders. Ed Vizard is one of the funniest people you'll ever meet. It's pretty much a mistake to take anything that comes out of his mind seriously. If you look into Eastern Mysticism you'll find what he's poking fun at. Think in terms of I've Seen Your Aura and It's Ugly.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Bhagavan Decreed (from the Flatliners)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 May 11 - 06:53 PM

I was driving in a car one time with ed in the passenger seat. We were driving along a train track stoned, and there was a train up ahead. This was years after he had written the song. Anyway, as e were driving he started singing the first verse...