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Donovan — Wear Your Love Like Heaven
Album: A Gift From A Flower To A Garden
Avg rating:
6.8

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1750









Released: 1967
Length: 2:20
Plays (last 30 days): 3
Color in sky, prussian blue
Scarlet fleece changes hue
Crimson ball sinks from view
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love)

Lord, kiss me once more
Fill me with song
Allah, kiss me once more
That I may, that I may
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love like)
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love)
La-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la

Color sky, havana lake
Color sky, rose carmethene
Alizarin crimson
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love)

Lord, kiss me once more
Fill me with song
Allah, kiss me once more
That I may, that I may
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love like)
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love)
La-la, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la

Cannot believe what I see
All I have wished for will be
All our race proud and free
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love like)
Wear your love like heaven (Wear your love)

Lord, kiss me once more
Fill me with song
Allah, kiss me once more
That I may, that I may
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love like)
Wear my love like heaven (Wear my love)
Carmine
Carmine
Comments (116)add comment
 MattRudely wrote:
Bloody hippies. 



"His musical style and hippie image were scorned by critics, especially after the rise of punk rock." As a young punk rocker I definitely was part of this scorning as so much of this "hippie music" seemed performative and insincere. Maybe it was, but we could with a little of this idealism in our world today!
I was but a child when this song was released..I found it to be magical and still do
Whenever I hear this song I think of when Homer got wasted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?...
 MattRudely wrote:
Bloody hippies. 




Outta SIGHT man


 hayduke2 wrote:

beautiful little prayer-like song to a love, still worth listening to (going to have to look up just what rose carmethene is though : )

found this on https://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5748 -

In our interview with Donovan, we asked how he came up with the vibrant images that appear in the lyric. Lines like:

Color sky Havana lake
Color sky rose carmethene
Alizarian crimson


Donovan explained that like many great songwriters - Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bob Dylan among them - he dabbled in art and thought in terms of paintings. This song is an example of translating images on a canvas into words. "'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' was really a paint-ily song - watching a sunset go down," he said.
This song was used in the Simpsons episode "Weekend at Bernsie's" when Homer is partaking in Medicinal Marijuana. 
whoa, cool


Good observation... I can confirm his love of painting. I once crossed paths with Donovan in a Denver art supply store... back in the mid 80's. Everyone in the store was a buzz at his presence. He was very pleasant and friendly.
not to be overlooked with this tune is the great recording. Excellent use of stereo for 1967, which at the time and indeed for some time afterwards was frequently terrible. Check out the marimba and other percussion elements, they sound great and give a lovely stereo image.
 hayduke2 wrote:

beautiful little prayer-like song to a love, still worth listening to (going to have to look up just what rose carmethene is though : )

found this on https://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5748 -

In our interview with Donovan, we asked how he came up with the vibrant images that appear in the lyric. Lines like:

Color sky Havana lake
Color sky rose carmethene
Alizarian crimson


Donovan explained that like many great songwriters - Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bob Dylan among them - he dabbled in art and thought in terms of paintings. This song is an example of translating images on a canvas into words. "'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' was really a paint-ily song - watching a sunset go down," he said.
This song was used in the Simpsons episode "Weekend at Bernsie's" when Homer is partaking in Medicinal Marijuana. 
whoa, cool


i think there may have been something stronger that marijuana going on there!
Bloody hippies. 
Wasn’t this a theme song for a hair product?
 drewd wrote:
You could've  told me this was a new indy song and I would have believed you...
 

Posted 3 years ago by aaronm: I don't think I can pretend this song holds up after 50 years.


Hmm, seems we have a divergence of opinion LOL!  I definitely could handle hearing more Donovan songs on the RP!
You could've  told me this was a new indy song and I would have believed you...
 acolt wrote:
I . . . I just don't like this song. Closest I've ever come to giving something a 1 on this site. His voice is just grating (and this is coming from a Rush fan), and the music is doing it no favors. 

Oh look, there's a skip button now! Click!
 
I'll admit that I heard (and really like) the Sarah McLachlan cover first and had no idea it was a Donovan song. Definitely a different take, but I like it!
I . . . I just don't like this song. Closest I've ever come to giving something a 1 on this site. His voice is just grating (and this is coming from a Rush fan), and the music is doing it no favors. 

Oh look, there's a skip button now! Click!
Great tune! 
joshfm wrote:
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.

Giselle62 wrote:

I always saw it as a sunset...
 
Yes, me too.
What exactly was joshfm thinking?
On second thought, I'd rather not know.  ; )
 (anonymous) wrote:
Donovan always reminds me of Bob Denver's character "Maynard" from Dobie Gillis. I don't mean that as a slur - one of my sons carries the middle name Donovan in remembrance.
 

Maynard G. Krebs.  If only I could remember where I put my car keys.
I love the stuff I find when I take a minute to scan the Wiki link. I just assumed Donovan was dead, but it was only his career.
This tidbit is interesting: 

"In 1983, Buffy Sainte-Marie became the first Indigenous person to win an Oscar. Her song "Up Where We Belong", co-written for the film, An Officer and a Gentleman won..."
I remember Ali McGraw on TV in ads for Londonderry cosmetics and this song was part of it. I think of fields, flowers and soft breezes whenever I hear this.
The quintessential hippy track. In a good way 
Sorry, I like Donovan, but I hear this song and I think of its use in some fooking cosmetics commercial. 
 socalhol wrote:

Well said — exactly what I came to post too!  I only ever knew Sarah's version....doah!  {#Neutral} and I am still partial to hers
 

I know Donovan must have done it earlier, but if not, it would be a bad cover of a McLachlan song. Very bad.
 Marr wrote:
I like this original version from a nostalgia standpoint. But I actually like Darr Williams cover version much better.
 
I know Sarah McLachlan's version, and I'm sorry to say that Donovan's original sounds like a bad, quirky cover of her rendition.
Homer and I smoking weed...
Brothers and sisters:
Sending our love!
Plz play more of this album...
LLRP
beautiful little prayer-like song to a love, still worth listening to (going to have to look up just what rose carmethene is though : )

found this on https://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=5748 -
In our interview with Donovan, we asked how he came up with the vibrant images that appear in the lyric. Lines like:

Color sky Havana lake
Color sky rose carmethene
Alizarian crimson


Donovan explained that like many great songwriters - Joni Mitchell, John Lennon, Bob Dylan among them - he dabbled in art and thought in terms of paintings. This song is an example of translating images on a canvas into words. "'Wear Your Love Like Heaven' was really a paint-ily song - watching a sunset go down," he said.
This song was used in the Simpsons episode "Weekend at Bernsie's" when Homer is partaking in Medicinal Marijuana. 
whoa, cool
Probably the definitive Donovan song and album.
I don't think I can pretend this song holds up after 50 years.
What I always think of when I hear this song...

https://youtu.be/QW6uliAnHkk
I loved this song when it first came out.  Still do.
 mrgus wrote:
Makes me want to go out and buy some shampoo. Trivia question-Can you name the shampoo?

 
Love's Fresh Lemon, if I remember correctly.
 ginger wrote:
Well, live and learn. I was going to come on here to say something like, "worst cover ever" but I I just got schooled. Have to say I prefer Sarah McLachlan's cover, but total respect to Donovan for the writing.

 
Well said — exactly what I came to post too!  I only ever knew Sarah's version....doah!  {#Neutral} and I am still partial to hers
This Hurdy-Gurdy Man of our lifetime is still the quintessential troubadour — he put on a show for the ages here this autumn!
This song still reminds me of a commercial for Love's Fresh Lemon perfume.
{#Daisy}
 philinnz wrote:
holy catfish, a long time since I heard this

 
Amen, pre-jr high for moi
pretty underated song writer singer me thinks / love his back up vocals on alice coopers billion dollar babies
Great tune...Sarah McLachlan (sp) does a fine version of this also
Makes me want to go out and buy some shampoo. Trivia question-Can you name the shampoo?
Anyone remember when this was the song for the Heaven Sent perfume WAY back in the day?
 Proclivities wrote:
 ,joshfm wrote:
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.
 
{#Whisper}  That Donovan was quite a dirty boy.  You probably don't want to know the hidden meanings of "Mellow Yellow" or "Hurdy Gurdy Man".   Plus, he often had that peculiar habit of dwelling on colors in his song lyrics.
{#Propeller}
 
Say no more.

"colors"?!!?!!!

SAY.  NO.  MORE.

Nudge, Nudge, Wink, Wink  {#Roflol} 
I first heard this song on the Simpsons
 joshfm wrote:
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.
 
i always saw it as a sunset...
Very nice!
 ,joshfm wrote:
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.
 
{#Whisper}  That Donovan was quite a dirty boy.  You probably don't want to know the hidden meanings of "Mellow Yellow" or "Hurdy Gurdy Man".   Plus, he often had that peculiar habit of dwelling on colors in his song lyrics.
{#Propeller}
 joshfm wrote:
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.
 
I'd have to read the lyrics for accuracy, but I read this line as a description of a sunset.  {#Daisy}
Good tune from an old 'flower child.'
Well, live and learn. I was going to come on here to say something like, "worst cover ever" but I I just got schooled. Have to say I prefer Sarah McLachlan's cover, but total respect to Donovan for the writing.
Landon Donovan in the Sky with Diamonds
{#Daisy}
oh dear, this brings back fond memories of when I was an Army brat in high school in Frankfurt, Germany.... trippy man!

Beautiful song...
I first heard it from Sarah McLaughlan, and that's a beautiful version.
When this version (the original, I assume) started playing, I thought it was an (Asian) Indian guy singing it. Never thought it would be Donovan before I read the song details. Funny accent. Anyone get that?
I remember the excitement when Rocky Mountain Records and Tapes called me to tell me this rare boxed-set Time Machine called A Gift From A Flower To A Garden that I had ordered had just come in. I biked down to Pearl Street Mall to pick it up, raced back home, then called my CU shroom-mates Allison and Kenny over, and we munched the divine shriveled purple, gray and orange stems and caps and assumed Standard Orbit while I dubbed it onto a cassette. I drove the old Impala up along the Peak to Peak Highway, with this whole superb collection of Donovan's vision and musical talents playing as it all kicked in... We turned onto the 4WD road that leads to Beaver Rez, and hit the trail to Sawtooth Mountain; one of the most pristine, heavenly stretches of scenery on Earth, and spent the rest of the day following the little burbling creek and its sources, chasing flickering waves of light through rustling aspens and fragrant pines. I can never forget how Allison was wearing a rainbow tie-dyed T-shirt and an old-fashioned frilly white skirt with a lovely pattern, giggling and singing snatches of Donovan and twirling like a gypsy as we all tripped and skipped along merrily from glade to glade... WEAR YOUR LOVE LIKE HEAVEN -- YEAH!

holy catfish, a long time since I heard this
What a freaker
Donovan could peel a mini at 100 yards.
"Crimson ball sinks from view" ? That's just plain raunchy.
Great peice of vinyl..
Hello, I know that Sarah McLachlan has a cover of this song, on one of her earliest CD's. Neil
Vocal is a bit flat And i mean that in an out-of-tune-in-the-chorus way rather than just dull...
Marr wrote:
I like this original version from a nostalgia standpoint. But I actually like Darr Williams cover version much better.
Where can I find this version? I'd like to hear it.
Roverfish wrote:
Fully agree with your recommendation. Excellent album from which to start. As for cop outs, I only think so in the case of the 'station' playing the tune...unless it originally appeared on a greatest hits, the source album should be listed. Ya readin' me, Bill?
yeah... i agree with that. i don't really consider a g-hits an album... it's a compilation of pre-released tracks. also... my favorite collection of donovan is barabajagal. great stuff on there... plus... the cd edition has 13 bonus tracks! can't go wrong with that.
redtex wrote:
Although risky...I highly recommend the album shown above. It's a great synopsis of Donovan's talent and diversity. But some may be too fanatic and think a 'greatest hits' is a cop out, some are too young and prefer covers of his music and some may doubt his talent altogether. For anyone else..get this CD.
Fully agree with your recommendation. Excellent album from which to start. As for cop outs, I only think so in the case of the 'station' playing the tune...unless it originally appeared on a greatest hits, the source album should be listed. Ya readin' me, Bill?
redtex wrote:
Although risky...I highly recommend the album shown above. It's a great synopsis of Donovan's talent and diversity. But some may be too fanatic and think a 'greatest hits' is a cop out, some are too young and prefer covers of his music and some may doubt his talent altogether. For anyone else..get this CD.
Yep, you're correct.
Although risky...I highly recommend the album shown above. It's a great synopsis of Donovan's talent and diversity. But some may be too fanatic and think a 'greatest hits' is a cop out, some are too young and prefer covers of his music and some may doubt his talent altogether. For anyone else..get this CD.
He looks like his daughter, Ione Skye, the actress, does now.
lotus_65 wrote:
i don't think justin would know what to do with such a complement.
I can speculate that he would: 1) cut a hole in a box. 2) ... 3) profit!
Ahhh . . . the good old days.
I like this original version from a nostalgia standpoint. But I actually like Darr Williams cover version much better.
bokey wrote:
What was the product that used this in an ad back in the dark ages?
It was a cologne or perfume, I think. Might have been called "Heavent Sent" or something like that. The instant I heard this song start I thought of that commercial.
...neat; i'd ever only heard sarah mclachlan's cover before...
What was the product that used this in an ad back in the dark ages?
Neither mellow, nor yellow.
<-(
drmaybe wrote:
omigod! did he just say "cannibal eave what I see"?
Uh, it's "cannot believe what I see". But nice imagery. Howzabout Donovan's "Catch the Wind"? A classic that doesn't sound dated.
Gregorama wrote:
Actually, No. Donovan is a singer songwriter, and he was most active around '65 or '66. In fact, he hung out with Dylan in NYC in '66 and Dylan admired and respected him. He was featured in the documentary Don't Look Back (1967). He really helped pioneer psychedelia, that partially grew out of his folk roots. So if he's good enough for Dylan to respect, he's okay by me. But if your basis for judging good music is comparing legends to boy bands, so be it.
(well stated) and (touche)
donovan is just great, 12 points
physicsgenius wrote:
Isn't Donovan the Justin Timberlake of 1970?
i don't think justin would know what to do with such a complement.
Marr wrote:
I have to agree. Sarah's version is just so much more exciting and fun to listen to. And I heard this version long before hers.
Add my agreement to yours. Not to bag on the original, because it's good in it's own way, but Sarah's version is great. (Then again, she could sing the phone book and I'd love it.)
Pleeese no more Donovan.
physicsgenius wrote:
Isn't Donovan the Justin Timberlake of 1970?
hisssssssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
physicsgenius wrote:
Isn't Donovan the Justin Timberlake of 1970?
Actually, No. Donovan is a singer songwriter, and he was most active around '65 or '66. In fact, he hung out with Dylan in NYC in '66 and Dylan admired and respected him. He was featured in the documentary Don't Look Back (1967). He really helped pioneer psychedelia, that partially grew out of his folk roots. So if he's good enough for Dylan to respect, he's okay by me. But if your basis for judging good music is comparing legends to boy bands, so be it.
I realize we're on a heaven jag here, but this is one of the weaker Donovan tunes. How about "Hurdy Gurdy Man"? I was a long-haired surfer dude in Florida when this album came out. Memories of sand, surf and board wax!
Creation_dreamer wrote:
McLaughlin's rendition of this song brings the lyrics the joix du vivre they deserve. Donovan is a true heir to the lineage of Rumi and the great Sufi poets, as is Cat Stevens. So much love and delight hiding behind this little song.
I have to agree. Sarah's version is just so much more exciting and fun to listen to. And I heard this version long before hers.
Isn't Donovan the Justin Timberlake of 1970?
sans wrote:
I cleaned so much pot on this album.
8O Groovy!
I cleaned so much pot on this album.
steeler wrote:
Well, I know it sure dates me! Donovan, more than any other artist, really brings me back to a mindset that seems like eons ago. But I still like the music (heck, I still like the mindset).
I wasn't around the first time, but hearing Donovan still affects my mindset, in a great way... His lyrics and melodies are refreshingly simple and beautiful and hopeful. I don't think there will ever be a time when his sound, no matter how dated, won't be welcome.
Illustr8r wrote:
THIS is the Donovan song the commercial stations should be overplaying...
Thankfully, it isn't!
omigod! did he just say "cannibal eave what I see"?
Ohh my goddd! This was/is will always be one of the most excellent hulluicinegeic (?) ok, psychedelic songs ever! For the recent critics please consider that it was recorded in the 60's and sounded way more exotic on a mono 45.
McLaughlin's rendition of this song brings the lyrics the joix du vivre they deserve. Donovan is a true heir to the lineage of Rumi and the great Sufi poets, as is Cat Stevens. So much love and delight hiding behind this little song.
CheskyBevo wrote:
Talk about a song sounding dated!
Well, I know it sure dates me! Donovan, more than any other artist, really brings me back to a mindset that seems like eons ago. But I still like the music (heck, I still like the mindset).
Nice "Heaven" 3 Play!
Talk about a song sounding dated!
Always makes me think of the shaving/driving scene from the Simpsons where Homer is making use of "medicinal marijuana"
Aaaahhh, Donovan . . . Play more. Where is he now? Can you find other songs by him? What about the one with the refrain "Ma Jeanne était là"? Donovan was an emblem. Caught the play about the Mamas and the Papas' career in the East Village in NYC. Sometimes knowing too much about the person sort of ruins the music for me. :-k :grouphug.gif: :daisy.gif: :goodvibes.gif: :daisy.gif:
THIS is the Donovan song the commercial stations should be overplaying... :daisy.gif:
I saw him live (and acoustic) in Detroit in 1990 or 1991. A really great performer! :nodhead:
Okay, now I feel REALLY ignorant! I thought this was a Sarah McLachlan original!!! (hell, I was probably only 2 or 3 when this came out)
wow this one sure takes me back. nice to hear. thanks RP
Wow. I had no idea this was Donovan\'s song. McLaughlin really worked magic on this one! The original wasn\'t bad, but her version brought it to life and made a lot more sense musically.
Ugh. Donavan eats ass.
AAAAAAHHHH!!!! LOVE THIS!!!!
Great great song. I think it\'s soooo much better than any of his other \"singles/hits\". This album is one of his greatest too! Heard it originally from my Mom\'s records, now I have the cd! yeehaw!
Sarah McLachlan does a GREAT cover of this tune.
Never actually knew the title of this... always sounded like \"Wear your love light\" or something. heh
Originally Posted by Gary: Was it really so long ago, 1970, that I saw Donovan do this one in Gainesville, Florida.
Yes it really was so long ago, y'auld coot. ;) :p
Originally Posted by rob: Back in high school ... when Donovan first came out ... we ACTUALLY dried banana peels in the oven ... AND TRIED SMOKING THEM !*!*!*!*!* Man ...we did some STUPID STUFF back then !!!!!!!!!
Why do I get the feeling you still sound like Jeff Spicoli from Fast Times at Ridgemont High whenever you laugh?
Like, totally peace-out, man... *puts a flower in a national guard soldier's gun barrel* :D I dig this song, but I still can't shake the suspicion that it's Checkov from Star Trek on the vocals.
O.K. so this song got a lot of airplay in it\'s day, but it\'s still a fine tune, with a dream that has not yet come to fruition; \"Can I believe what I see? All of our race proud and free\". Dated, perhaps only in the affectation of the lyrics, which was always part of Donovan\'s charm to some. It readily found a niche in the flower power era. I\'m happy to have heard it when it was new and happy to be hearing it still.