“Fire and Rain”
Just yesterday morning, they let me know you were gone.
Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you.
I walked out this mornin’, and I wrote down this song;
I just can’t remember who to send it to.
I’ve seen fire, and I’ve seen rain.
I’ve seen sunny days that I thought would never end.
I’ve seen lonely times when I could not find a friend,
But I always thought that I’d see you again.
Won’t you look down upon me Jesus?
You gotta help me make a stand.
You just got to see me through another day.
My body’s achin’, and my time is at hand.
I won’t make it any other way.
Been walkin’ my mind to an easy time,
My back turned towards the sun.
Lord knows when the cold wind blows,
it’ll turn your head around.
Well there’s hours of time on the telephone line
to talk about things to come:
Sweet dreams and flying machines
in pieces on the ground.
This was the hit song that launched James Taylor into a leading singer, song writer in the late 60s. This gentle, plaintiff singer with effortless phrasing with every syllable in tune, touched the hearts of many music lovers especially women. There are several versions that explain the story behind this song. One is that JT was touring and very depressed missing his girl friend Suzanne. His friends arranged for her to fly to meet him, unbeknownst to him. The plane crashed and she died.
“Sweet dreams and flying machines in pieces on the ground. ”
“Just yesterday morning, they let me you were gone Suzanne, the plans they made put an end to you . . . .
James Taylor’s life and music reflects the pain, and struggles that he himself faced. He suffered from deep depression starting as a teen, struggled with drug addiction (heroin) for years until he finally gave it up in order to be a better father. He has been married four times but now is happily married since the 90s and has twin boys. This man who infused folk, rock and pop , lived the rock and roll lifestyle and come through the darkness of loss and redemption, light and darkness, roads taken, or not traveled with his brooding yet strong personality has survived and today is very content and still performing!
TalesAlongTheWay 
Still one of the most heartrendingly beautiful songs I’ve ever listened to.
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Thank yo so much for taking time to agree with me, Diana! Smiles. . . .
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One of my favorite songs..Thank you for posting.
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It just does touch deep spot in most people’s hearts. Thanks for commenting. . . . .
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One of my favorites, both as a singer and nice guy. He worked front act at the Guthrie four times and always said if he made the big time he would come back and play this small theater to repay Sue, the promoter, for her faith in him.
He made the big time and honored his promise, coming back to the Guthrie when he could have sold out the big arena a few miles away. A few years later, he came back again and did a concert. This time he brought Carly Simon with him.
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Oh thank you Don. I always love your stories! That makes me like J T more! He is a sensitive nice guy. Thanks so much for taking the time to tell your personal tale!
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Thanks for sharing it’s a lovely song. 💞
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It seems to touch a deep spot for most people of shared pain or love lost.
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It’s a soulful song. 🙂
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Such emotional pain released in a song…
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Yes, it seems to be the universal experience of pain. Many thanks !
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Wow! Thanks for sharing!
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I found your fire and rain, after I commented on your “You’ve Got a Friend,” post. You are definitely a fan of him, and so am I!!
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I was going to include the story I researched about Fire and Rain. Sad story and his life was hard. I think it is neat after all his struggles that his third wife and children have made a happy family !
http://www.snopes.com/music/songs/firerain.asp
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