The work of John Ronald Reuel Tolkien (JRR Tolkien), the founder of the high fantasy genre, has repeatedly inspired the musicians of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
Inspired by his epic The Lord of the Rings, they composed the compositions Misty Mountain Hop, The Battle of Evermore, as well as the famous Ramble On, to which the article is dedicated.
The story of creation and the meaning of the song Ramble On
Words and music written by Jimmy Page (Jimmy Page) and Robert Plant (Robert Plant).
The text directly mentions the characters and names from The Lord of the Rings, but the cult fantasy epic was not the only stimulus for the authors. Critics believe that the lyrics of the Ramble On song reflected the creative search of Led Zeppelin members, their relationship with fans and the peculiarities of touring life.
The song was recorded in 1969 at Juggy Sound Studios, New York, while the band was on their second North American tour. The track was included in the album Led Zeppelin II.
Led Zeppelin did not include Ramble On in concert programs. For the first time, the band performed it in its entirety live only on December 10, 2007 on the stage of London’s O2 Arena. Then the reunited musicians performed at an event dedicated to the memory of Ahmet Ertegun (Ahmet Ertegun).
The song was included in Rolling Stone magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list.
Clip of Ramble On – Led Zeppelin
Watch an impromptu music video for Led Zeppelin’s Ramble On. The video is made up of photographs of the group taken in different years.
Cover versions
The band Train recorded Ramble On for the album Midnight Moon (2001).
Interesting Facts
- The song features John Bonham playing a mysterious instrument. Maybe it’s a bongo, but some say it’s a plastic trash can or a guitar case.
Ramble On Lyrics
Leaves are falling all around
It’s time I was on my way
Thanks to you I’m much obliged
For such a pleasant stay
But now it’s time for me to go
The autumn moon lights my way
For now I smell the rain
And with it pain
And it’s headed my way
Ah, sometimes I grow so tired
But I know I’ve got one thing I got to do
chorus:
Ramble on
And now’s the time, the time is now
To sing my song
I’m goin’ ’round the world, I got to find my girl
On my way
I’ve been this way ten years to the day
Ramble on
Gotta find the queen of all my dreams
Got no time for spreadin’ roots
The time has come to be gone
And though our health we drank a thousand times
It’s time to ramble on
Chorus
I ain’t tellin’ no lie
Mine’s a tale that can’t be told
My freedom I hold dear
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air
‘T was in the darkest depths of Mordor
I met a girl so fair
But Gollum, and the evil one
crept up and slipped away with her
Her, her, yeah
Ain’t nothing I can do, no
I guess I keep on rambling
I’m gonna, yeah, yeah, yeah
Sing my song
(I gotta find my baby)
I’m going ’round the world
(I gotta ramble on sing my song, gotta work my way around the world baby, baby)
Ramble on, yeah
I gotta keep searching for my baby I gotta keep-a-searchin’ for my baby
Oh, I can’t find my bluebird
I’d listen to my bluebird sing but I, I can’t find my bluebird
(yeah, I keep rambling baby)
I keep rambling baby
(I keep, I keep, I keep)
I keep rambling baby
Lyrics: JIMMY PAGE, ROBERT PLANT
Warner/Chappell Music Inc.
Ramble On Lyrics Alternative
Leaves are falling everywhere
At this time I was on my way.
Thank you I am very grateful
For such a warm welcome
But it’s time to leave.
The autumn moon lights my way.
Here I smell the rain
And with it the pain
And he’s ahead.
Ah, sometimes I get so tired
But I know I need to do something.
Chorus:
Let’s hit the road!
The time has come, the time has come
Sing my song.
I roam the world, I have to find my girl
Somewhere.
I’ve been wandering like this for ten years.
Let’s hit the road!
I must find the queen of my dreams.
I don’t have time to put down roots
It’s time to leave.
And although we drank a thousand times to health,
Time to hit the road.
Chorus
I am not lying
My story can’t be told
I value my freedom.
Many years ago, in the old days,
When magic was in the air
In the dark depths of Mordor
I met a girl so pure.
But Gollum and evil incarnate
Crawled out and slipped away with her
With her, with her, yeah
And there’s nothing I can do, nothing.
Apparently, I will continue to roam,
I will
Sing your song.
(I’ll find my baby)
I will roam the world.
(I’ll roam and sing my song, I’ll go around the world, baby)
On the way, yes.
I’ll keep looking for my baby, I’ll keep looking for my baby.
Oh, where is my azure bird.
I would listen to her sing, but I can’t find her.
(yeah, I’ll keep wandering, baby)
I’m still on the road, baby.
(on and on and on)
I’m still on the road baby
Song quote
After reading Tolkien, I realized that I had to move out of town.
Jimmy Page, Rolling Stone
