Many thanks for posting this video. I'm from a small town in central Kansas, and I thought it was really "far out" when John released this song, as our family spent a number of evenings with my dad's uncle in Colby, Kansas on our way to Colorado. This song was indeed written as a tribute to John's uncle, Dean. I discovered recently that this uncle, Aaron Dean Deutschendorf, attended college in my home town in Kansas, and lived about a block from our house until a few days before he died.
supersparkchaser....I'm glad you found a way to cope with your sadness. I think John would be so proud to know that. That is what the song is about....rising above the impossibly heartbreaking things that can happen to us.
I used to listen to this at night when my parents would argue in the next room. I knew all the words. I'd run outside into the woods down to the crick, and I sing it to myself. I guess to comfort myself, but those words lifted me out of a lot of sadness, and I believe them with all my heart and soul.
My mom sang this to me when I was just a little boy. Brings back such memories. My mom is still around and a-ok but it makes to sad to ever think about losing her! xo
@catbrush123 : My grandpa was very special to me. He served in WWI and in WWII he was captured at Corregidor and was a POW for 3 years. That I ever knew him at all was a miracle. He took me into his home when my folks hit hard times and showed an angry little boy how to be a good man.
I think of my grandpa when I hear this and it still brings tears to my eyes after 30+ years. He was born in Emporia,Kansas and he was the man I always wanted to be when I grew up.
i was looking for this song a little while ago because i heard it when my mother was playing it in the car. she told me she used to sing it to me as a baby. I asked her what the song was called so i could go look it up and she said it was matthew. my names matthew =)
my dad used to sing this song to me when i was little! i am 25 now and my dad just passed away in feb. i miss him singing this song so much! thank you for having it posted!
I have this song playing on my tribute to Matthew Wayne Shepard, who died exactly one year later than John Denver. I changed the lyrics slightly to fit Matt. However, I've liked this song since I found it on "Back Home Again". From what I've heard, the subject of this song was a maternal uncle ("was his father's only boy" -- obviously a brother to his mother) whose name was NOT Matthew.
My favorite live version from the "Evening With" show was just re-posted, but the audio quality is poor. Thanks for posting this....I always loved this song as a teenager, and it takes on a special significance for me these days as I have three teenagers of my own, one of whom is special needs, and his name is Matthew.
Awesome video of my all time favorite John Denver song! I'm a Kansas farm girl that loves the imagery he infuses into all of his songs...this one especially!
Thank-you so much for posting this! I have spent years trying to find it, as it was one of my absolute favorite songs growing up, and just last night I had an "aha!" moment and realized I could YouTube it... what an awesome thing! I am a very happy birthday girl:)
Thanks so much:) I must've played it at least 50 times since I discovered it the other day! It takes me back so far, and brings out such emotion in me. I am having an amazing time "re-living" the happy parts of the decades of my life.
ive hunted pheasants with my sons around colby ks, about 40 yrs. i live in topekaks. and i know we get teased about dorthy and to to and we are laid back ppl.and you would see the beauty of golden wheat field,and the weather is pretty mild most of the time if he sang mary had a little lamb i would buy it love john lol
Ooooh I hate when that happens...!!!! but sometimes when I'm not even trying to remember the answer pops right up as if by magic... now that I love!! :-)
@catbrush123 Ironically, the harder one tries to remember something, the more difficult it is. It is better to let the answer bubble in the subconscious awhile, then it comes. The answer was always there. One just must be patient to retrieve it!
Not being serious , it's just funny that John says this songs is about his uncle Matthew , his fathers second youngest brother , but then the line in the song "fathers only boy???"
I think i heard that in the video on the right Matthew 1987.
I just read your comment catbrush , watch that video on the right , i always thought it was telling of a true uncle but i didn't realise how perfectly true it was and tragic , car accident at 21 , sounds like he was an awesome inspiration to John.
You have just confused me even more than what is normal for me!!! Lol ..I see your point, and if as robteasley suggests its about his uncle Dean why call it Matthew? I guess since he wrote the song he could name it whatever he wanted to. Which video are you talking about?
That now also reminds me of hearing that it wasn't actually his real name , it was Dean, i'd guess it refers to Matthew in the family Bible???
It wouldn't work as well having Dean in place of Matthew.
I re-checked , it's in a video called "John Denver-Matthew-1990" but thats not the one that i just heard that he was killed at 21 in a car accident , (re-recheck)that was in the one by 'portrulz' that's the one at the top of the right list.
Thanks for posting this beautiful song! It's about John's uncle Dean who died at age 21. Great art should have universal themes,which this song epitomizes: The Family, Faith,Loss, and the ties to the land. We should all search for gold in a Kansas wheatfield...
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2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
ScoobyIsAwsome 1 week ago
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Sending this One Out to....
The Troops for The 4th with All The Prayers a Heart can Hold. <3
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
ScoobyIsAwsome 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Sending this One Out to....
The Troops for The 4th with All The Prayers a Heart can Hold. <3
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
ScoobyIsAwsome 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Sending this One Out to....
The Troops for The 4th with All The Prayers a Heart can Hold. <3
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
ScoobyIsAwsome 1 week ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Sending this One Out to....
The Troops for The 4th with All The Prayers a Heart can Hold. <3
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
ScoobyIsAwsome 1 week ago
Many thanks for posting this video. I'm from a small town in central Kansas, and I thought it was really "far out" when John released this song, as our family spent a number of evenings with my dad's uncle in Colby, Kansas on our way to Colorado. This song was indeed written as a tribute to John's uncle, Dean. I discovered recently that this uncle, Aaron Dean Deutschendorf, attended college in my home town in Kansas, and lived about a block from our house until a few days before he died.
YouTed777 1 week ago
@ssbob1669
Wow. That was a little uncalled for. What's your problem man?
VVeremoose 3 weeks ago
blBL
PinkLazors 1 month ago
1 person didn't like the pictures. Lol.
setsunasamachan 1 month ago
NOT FROM KANSAS BUT I JUST LOVE THIS MAN & HIS MUSIC FROM THE BEGINNING. KNOW EVERY WORD OF EVERY ONE. I WISH HE KNEW HOW THE WORLD & I MISS HIM.
TheLIFESASONG 2 months ago
Very good
BusyB0X 3 months ago
Humm not heard this one either
singer31697 3 months ago
I was named for this song. (so I just recently found out) It's odd how much of myself I see in it.
VVeremoose 3 months ago
@VVeremoose You're an idiot and I'm to you John Denver or whatever the hell your name is.
SSBob1669 3 weeks ago
I grew up on this. Still reminds me of trekking through the michigan mud and enjoying the nature
HyperSniperCo 3 months ago
I love to perform this one..but when I hear John sing it it makes me all teary-eyed.
onemisguidedrose 4 months ago
So weird. I live in Colby, Kansas.
JessiCoplin 6 months ago
@JessiCoplin hi jessicoplin roger here in topeka,ive hunted pheasants around colby for 40 yrs. peace neighbor
mrwarmth100 1 month ago
supersparkchaser....I'm glad you found a way to cope with your sadness. I think John would be so proud to know that. That is what the song is about....rising above the impossibly heartbreaking things that can happen to us.
Moonchalice 6 months ago
I don't care what people say about John Denver, he had a beautiful voice, was good lookin and I'm sure he's entertaining everyone in Heaven.
rachaelannedonnelly 6 months ago
I used to listen to this at night when my parents would argue in the next room. I knew all the words. I'd run outside into the woods down to the crick, and I sing it to myself. I guess to comfort myself, but those words lifted me out of a lot of sadness, and I believe them with all my heart and soul.
supersparkchaser 6 months ago 2
Sending this One Out to....
The Troops for The 4th with All The Prayers a Heart can Hold. <3
2 Corinthians 9:7
Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.
<3
morninggloryone 7 months ago 3
@morninggloryone Thank you for dropping by and a Happy 4th. Of July to all Americans everywhere! :-)
catbrush123 7 months ago 2
Just love this song
sunlinesusie 8 months ago
My mom sang this to me when I was just a little boy. Brings back such memories. My mom is still around and a-ok but it makes to sad to ever think about losing her! xo
abrozinic 8 months ago
What the heck?!? It's behind a MULE beneathe the sun!!!!
icanhearyoubreathing 9 months ago
@icanhearyoubreathing Oops!! I didn't notice that mistake when I copied and pasted the words. I've just fixed it. Thanks for pointing it out. :-)
catbrush123 9 months ago
@catbrush123 : My grandpa was very special to me. He served in WWI and in WWII he was captured at Corregidor and was a POW for 3 years. That I ever knew him at all was a miracle. He took me into his home when my folks hit hard times and showed an angry little boy how to be a good man.
Fennec2828 10 months ago 3
I think of my grandpa when I hear this and it still brings tears to my eyes after 30+ years. He was born in Emporia,Kansas and he was the man I always wanted to be when I grew up.
Fennec2828 10 months ago 2
@Fennec2828 Your Grandpa must have been a really special person ... :-)
catbrush123 10 months ago 2
I love all John Denver songs but this is and always will be my favourite.
PURPLEBEATTIE1 10 months ago
I , too,am an Uncle Matthew. Love you John. Rest in Peace.
lefthandedgenious 11 months ago
i was looking for this song a little while ago because i heard it when my mother was playing it in the car. she told me she used to sing it to me as a baby. I asked her what the song was called so i could go look it up and she said it was matthew. my names matthew =)
fluffy2700 1 year ago
Grew up listening to this song on the good ol' 8 track! :) Thanks for uploading this diamond in the rough!
hellmoto191 1 year ago
My favorite. Great tune, great lyrics.
wpollock1 1 year ago
There was so much sub-standard Denver but then was also so much GREAT Denver, like this!
TheScriabin 1 year ago
My dad loves John Denver and he used to always sing me this song, he also sang me grandmas feather bed
SpocksVulcanEars 1 year ago
This song truly brings out the tears from my eyes, oooh oooh I can't take this anymore....let me go take a breather..
mrblurblur2003 1 year ago
cracker of a song
grinkojones 1 year ago
The real uncle that this song was written about - was named Mathew Dean Deutschendorf - and he was killed in a car crash.
BRILLIANT music to this song!!!!!!!!
Earthlinked 1 year ago
He has so many great songs, but this has always been my favorite.
GRRAPTOR 1 year ago
Truly beautiful!
iw32 1 year ago
my dad used to sing this song to me when i was little! i am 25 now and my dad just passed away in feb. i miss him singing this song so much! thank you for having it posted!
1missymay 1 year ago 13
i love this song!
MsButterflyuk 1 year ago 2
I have this song playing on my tribute to Matthew Wayne Shepard, who died exactly one year later than John Denver. I changed the lyrics slightly to fit Matt. However, I've liked this song since I found it on "Back Home Again". From what I've heard, the subject of this song was a maternal uncle ("was his father's only boy" -- obviously a brother to his mother) whose name was NOT Matthew.
BuddyNovinski 1 year ago
My favorite live version from the "Evening With" show was just re-posted, but the audio quality is poor. Thanks for posting this....I always loved this song as a teenager, and it takes on a special significance for me these days as I have three teenagers of my own, one of whom is special needs, and his name is Matthew.
frkaz911 1 year ago
absolutely love this song, thanks for posting, great video, if i ever have another boy i will call him matthew after this song!!!!
smileysal1976 1 year ago
beautiful video ma chanson favorite
almirand46bj 1 year ago
back in the '80s, there was some push to have this song made the state song of Kansas....that would have been great!
LadyDeerskin 1 year ago
back in the '80s, there was some push to have this song made the state song of Kansas....that would have been great!
LadyDeerskin 1 year ago
Awesome video of my all time favorite John Denver song! I'm a Kansas farm girl that loves the imagery he infuses into all of his songs...this one especially!
Well done John and catbrush!
ciskatilya 2 years ago 9
i was named after this song, I couldn't have picked a better song myself, thanks pop
adamsfan91 2 years ago 3
beautiful i picked this as a favorite for my grandson he is only 8 and this is his favorite so we have another generation who will enjoy john
grandmapof3 2 years ago 3
Such a charming video..
JOY was just a thing that he was raised on..!!
and blue was just a Kansas summer sky!!
karmakomodia 2 years ago
Nice video! Thanks for posting. One of my favorite songs from John. :)
magicalaurie 2 years ago
Thank you very much. :-)
catbrush123 2 years ago
@magicalaurie Me too. I love this
PURPLEBEATTIE1 1 year ago
As beautiful as any song I will ever hear. Thank you for the post Thank you John for so much beauty .
862brady 2 years ago
Thank-you so much for posting this! I have spent years trying to find it, as it was one of my absolute favorite songs growing up, and just last night I had an "aha!" moment and realized I could YouTube it... what an awesome thing! I am a very happy birthday girl:)
janejuliet 2 years ago
So happy you found found what you were looking for... Oh and Happy Birthday!!! Happy New Year to you too. :-)
catbrush123 2 years ago
Thanks so much:) I must've played it at least 50 times since I discovered it the other day! It takes me back so far, and brings out such emotion in me. I am having an amazing time "re-living" the happy parts of the decades of my life.
janejuliet 2 years ago
I love this song and you put a very nice video together for it! Thank you!
55jaro55 2 years ago
I was named after this song when my mom first heard it- cuz joy was just the thing i was raise on
hiphopboy29 2 years ago
ive hunted pheasants with my sons around colby ks, about 40 yrs. i live in topekaks. and i know we get teased about dorthy and to to and we are laid back ppl.and you would see the beauty of golden wheat field,and the weather is pretty mild most of the time if he sang mary had a little lamb i would buy it love john lol
y00sta 2 years ago
Great song and video! One of JD's best! Thanks so much!
myfamilynme 2 years ago 2
what a great song, I wish I had the talent to write just ONE john denver quality song and play great guitar and great voice too
michaelflorida48 2 years ago
This song was in my head when I woke up this morning...couldn't remember the name. Finally found it! Thank You!
jfreesprt 2 years ago
Ooooh I hate when that happens...!!!! but sometimes when I'm not even trying to remember the answer pops right up as if by magic... now that I love!! :-)
catbrush123 2 years ago
@catbrush123 Ironically, the harder one tries to remember something, the more difficult it is. It is better to let the answer bubble in the subconscious awhile, then it comes. The answer was always there. One just must be patient to retrieve it!
BuddyNovinski 1 year ago
This song always makes me feel a bit joyful myself because it's sung with such feeling. What beautiful lyrics as well!
shapeepster 3 years ago
Not being serious , it's just funny that John says this songs is about his uncle Matthew , his fathers second youngest brother , but then the line in the song "fathers only boy???"
I think i heard that in the video on the right Matthew 1987.
I just read your comment catbrush , watch that video on the right , i always thought it was telling of a true uncle but i didn't realise how perfectly true it was and tragic , car accident at 21 , sounds like he was an awesome inspiration to John.
BarefootBASE 3 years ago
You have just confused me even more than what is normal for me!!! Lol ..I see your point, and if as robteasley suggests its about his uncle Dean why call it Matthew? I guess since he wrote the song he could name it whatever he wanted to. Which video are you talking about?
catbrush123 3 years ago
That now also reminds me of hearing that it wasn't actually his real name , it was Dean, i'd guess it refers to Matthew in the family Bible???
It wouldn't work as well having Dean in place of Matthew.
I re-checked , it's in a video called "John Denver-Matthew-1990" but thats not the one that i just heard that he was killed at 21 in a car accident , (re-recheck)that was in the one by 'portrulz' that's the one at the top of the right list.
BarefootBASE 3 years ago
Thanks for posting this beautiful song! It's about John's uncle Dean who died at age 21. Great art should have universal themes,which this song epitomizes: The Family, Faith,Loss, and the ties to the land. We should all search for gold in a Kansas wheatfield...
robteasley 3 years ago
Thank you very much for telling me what the song is about.. it makes it even more special.Happy Christmas!! :-)
catbrush123 3 years ago
Excellent video, great song!!! Forever John Denver!!!
beautyangelofheaven 3 years ago
Thank you my friend. :-)
catbrush123 3 years ago
A beautiful John Denver song. Thank you so much for posting!
firefliesbdazzle 3 years ago
Thank you :-)
catbrush123 3 years ago
Great, great song !!! One of my favorite JDs I wonder how much could be autobiographical ?
dagocleo 3 years ago
Sounds like a true story to me dagocleo, I must research it. :-)
catbrush123 3 years ago