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Mad Season - River of Deceit
from Above
|---------|---------|---------|-------------|--------------------------|
|---------|---------|---------|-------------|-5--5----5----------------|
|---------|---------|---------|----------5--|------------5-------------|
|---------|-1-------|--0------|--3----------|--------------------------|
|----------------|----------------|--------------|---------------------|
|--3----3--------|----------------|-3----3-------|-5----5--------------|
|-------------5--|-----------3--5-|-----------5--|-----------3---5-----|
|----------------|-3----3---------|--------------|---------------------|
|----------------|-----------------|--------------|--------------------|
|-3----3---------|-----------------|-3----3-------|--5-----------------|
|-------------5--|-----------3--5--|-----------5--|--------------5-----|
|----------------|-3----3----------|--------------|--------------------|
Verse My pain is self chosen...
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|--3----3--------|----------------|-3----3-----3-|-5----5--------------|
|-------------5--|-----------3--5-|---------5----|-----------3-4-5-----|
|----------------|-3----3---------|--------------|---------------------|
|----------------|----------------|--------------|---------------------|
|--3----3--------|----------------|-3----3-------|-5----9---10---12----|
|-------------5--|-----------3--5-|-----------5--|---------------------|
|----------------|-3----3---------|--------------|---------------------|
|--------------|---------------------|------------------|------------------|
|-10-----------|--3h5---5--5---------|-3----3----3------|------------------|
|--------5-----|----------------3--5-|----------------5-|-------------0-2--|
|--------------|---------------------|------------------|-3-3-3-3-3-3------|
Chorus
The river of deceit...
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|--3----3----3--|--5----5---0--2--|--3----3----|-5--5--5---------------|
|---------------|-----------------|------------|--------------3---5----|
|---------------------|-----------------------|----------------|-------|
|---------------------|-----------------------|----------------|-------|
|-3----3--3--------3--|-5---5--5----5---------|-3---3--3-------|-5--5--|
|---------------5-----|-----------------3--5--|-------------5--|-------|
Down, oh down...
|-----------|---------------------|--------------|---------------------|
|-3---------|---5----5------------|-3------------|---------------------|
|-----------|-------------3----5--|---------5----|---------------------|
|-----------|---------------------|--------------|--3----3----3----3---|
|--------------|----------------------|-----------|---------------------|
|-3-------3----|-5----9----10----12---|-10---10---|-3h5--5--5--5--5-----|
|-----5--------|----------------------|-----------|-----------------3-5-|
|--------------|----------------------|-----------|---------------------|
|----------------|----------------|-------------|----------------------|
|-3--3-----3-----|----------------|-------------|----------------------|
|-------------5--|----------------|-------------|---------3----5-------|
|----------------|-3----3------0--|-1---1----1--|-3---3----------------|
My
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|--3----3--------|----------------|-3----3-------|-5----5--------------|
|-------------5--|-----------3--5-|-----------5--|-----------3---5-----|
|----------------|-3----3---------|--------------|---------------------|
pain is self chosen...
|-------------|------------------|---------------|---------------------|
|--3-------3--|--5----5----------|-3----3--------|---------------------|
|-------5-----|-----------3---5--|---------5-----|-----------3----5----|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|-3----3--------------|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|---------------------|
|--3----------|--5----5----------|-3----3--------|---------------------|
|----------5--|-----------3---5--|---------5-----|-----------3----5----|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|-3----3--------------|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|---------------------|
|--3---3------|--5----5----------|-3----3--------|---------------------|
|-----------5-|-----------0-3--5-|---------3--5--|-----------2----5----|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|-3----3--------------|
|-------------|------------------|---------------|---------------------|
|--3--3-------|--5---------------|-3----3---3----|---------------------|
|-------5-3---|-----------2---5--|-------------5-|---------------------|
|-------------|-----3------------|---------------|-3-3-3-3-3-----3--5--|
Chorus
|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------
|------------------|---------------------|---------------------|--------
|-3--3--3----3-----|-5---5--5----5-------|-3---3--3----3-----3-|-5----5-
|---------------5--|----------------3--5-|----------------5----|--------
---------------|------------------|--------------------|----------------|
---------------|------------------|--------------------|----------------|
-5----5-----3--|-3--3--3----3-----|-5--5--5----5-------|-3---3--3----3--|
---------5-----|---------------5--|---------------3--5-|---------------5|
|-------------------------|
|-------------------------|
|-5--5--5--5--5--5--5--5--|
|-------------------------|
Down, oh, down...
|-----/7----5------|----------------|--------------|-------------------|
|-3-------------7--|-5-----------2--|--3--3---2--0-|-------------------|
|------------------|------3--5------|--------------|-3--0--------3--5--|
|------------------|----------------|--------------|-------3-----------|
|----/7----5------|---------------|-------------|-----------------------|
|--------------7--|-5-----------2-|--3---3---0--|-5--5--5--5------------|
|-3---------------|------3--5-----|-------------|-----------------3--5--|
|-----------------|---------------|-------------|-----------------------|
|-------------|----------------------|------------------|---------------|
|--3-------3--|--5-------------------|-3-----3-----3----|--5--5---------|
|-------5-----|-----------------3--5-|----------5-----5-|----------3--5-|
|-------------|-------3---3----------|------------------|---------------|
|----------------|-------------------|-------------|--------------------|
|--3---3---3-----|-------------------|-3----3------|--5----5------------|
|-------------5--|-------------3---5-|-----------5-|--------------3---5-|
|----------------|--3----3-----------|-------------|--------------------|
|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|----------------|
|-3----3----3-----|-----------------|--3----3----3----|------5---------|
|--------------5--|-----------3---5-|---------------5-|----------3--5--|
|-----------------|-3----3----------|-----------------|-3--------------|
|---------------|------------------|---------------|-------|------|-----|
|--3--3--3------|-------5----------|--3--3--3------|-------|------|-----|
|------------5--|-----------3---5--|------------5--|-------|------|-----|
|---------------|--3---------------|---------------|--3----|-(3)--|-(3)-|
=======================================================================
h = hammeron Judy Letostak
p = pulloff Internet letostak@ix.netcom.com
/ = slide Fidonet 1:202/762
x = ghost note MetalNet 282:100/2
t = tap (right hand) The Music Shop BBS (619)423-4970 24hrs
~ = vibrato * = picked harmonic
bf = bend full tr = trill
rb = release bend p.s. = pick scrape
dive = dive with bar b = bend / step written over note
========================================================================
The Music Shop BBS (619)423-4970 24hrs 7 days a week
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MetalNet...In a band? Want some exposure? I have a file area for bands
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Taken from BASSMASTA.NET - http://www.bassmasta.net
|
No Picture
ari Average |
#1 by ari o at May 28, 1973 at 3:19 PM EST |
| I do get that now that I recall that Gilbran had said "your pain is self chosen". I reread yor post and I can definately see the connection to "The Profit". Like you basically said though, it was a reference and not a directive ; The song itself not being driven with the theme of the "The Profit", Gilbran. The influence however is clea,r to me, and even if Staley was never aware of Gilbran the conection is quite Germane. Pretty good insight, Staley was a very intelligent man and extrmeley sensitive. He was mistreated and taken advantage of his whole life. Its so very sad, and the song is so humble and without any diversion of blame for his life,. Ther'es also no anger towards God as often shown in his lyrics and by other musicians. Acceptance and acountability.... The lyrics are really almost like a journal to the public, depicting how he has really become complacent with being a drug addict and dying young. He talks about choices but I think the real thing that he was feeling was that his options had been exhausted. He knew his fate, and the choice to be made was still his, Yet it was like he was now a helpless victom,. and the choice to continue to take drugs was understood and acceptable. Actually, I went back and read all the posts here again, and the for-thought, and consideration given to this piece as poetic and prophetic is impressive. I supose his troubles were obvious , but still great deliberation. "The river of Deceit" actually, in my opinion, is a fine work of art! Its delicate and definately has had an impact on the minds of those who took consideration to this song other than just viewing it as followers of Alice in Chains Staley I think would have been happy to produce this song with its deeper menings, his own personal truth is ver much revealed here, and his wisdom is shown with this ediication. I myself have been enlightened to the deeper integrity of this song of submission. | |
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No Picture
richard Wanna Be |
#2 by richard jones at Nov 28, 1973 at 10:29 PM EST |
| This song is about self-reflection regarding a deceitful lifestyle. It can be generally placed under the umbrella of simple existential thought. For those of you unaware, when Layne writes/sings: 'My pain is self-chosen At least, so The Prophet says', he is referring to the book "The Prophet" by Khalill Gibran. The Prophet is about a man's journey toward enlightenment on the meaning of existence on this planet, in this realm, for this time. He is met with several of life's characters, they who have been impacted by his very existence, and begins to understand why and how a person is impacted upon and impacts upon others with just his or her very existence. it's a great read, and given Layne's penchant for philosophical study (toward the end of the 1990s, he began to read quite extensively on existential philosophy and the expansion of thought), it's a wonderful idea for a song. The Prophet is worth your time, and I believe you'll understand the song's meanings (line for line, they're brilliant in their references to thought and life's purpose) once you complete the book. Of course, that isn't the only influential tome in the song, but The Prophet is obviously quite a large influence. | |
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No Picture
leaves Average |
#3 by leaves u who i dont like at Sep 1, 1974 at 6:32 PM EST |
| i love this song! i think its just about all the shit you go through in life | |
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No Picture
Bas Average |
#4 by Bas Koningsveld at Jul 26, 1979 at 12:25 AM EST |
| Iv'e read Khalil Gilbran, but didn't make that connection. My thought was that he was sarcastically refering to himself when he said "the profit". In the second stanza he says "I believe it to be" instead of profit. | |
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No Picture
kristopher-karl Average |
#5 by kristopher-karl Schröder at Apr 2, 1983 at 10:28 PM EST |
| It is unreal that Layne could have done this song...... It is so out of this world, Honestly look at it.... the lead singer of Alice in Chains, 90's grunge metal the king of nihlistic sound, performing a Bluesy feeling almost country styled song, and incredibly..... words do nothing to describe this song This song is about Self sacrifice and eventual salvation: I could either drown Or pull off my skin and swim to shore - Layne sings how in order to save himself he needs to give up a part of himself..... in this case drug addiction..... he believes he can do it..... Now I can grow a beautiful shell for all to see - His hopeful salvation..... if he can over come his addiction then the world would know just what a wonderful artist he was..... but he didnt and now all that is left is a memory and the music he made...... | |
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No Picture
Senour Average |
#6 by Senour Dakota at Nov 11, 1983 at 7:17 PM EST |
| "My pain is self-chosen." This song is very emotional. Staley was making a confession here. He realized his situation yet addiction had taken him to the point of no return. I read that Staley spent the last few years of his life alone in his apartment, getting high and playing video games. That's no way for someone to go out. Staley definitely put his heart and soul into his music and it shows. | |
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No Picture
Raimundo Average |
#7 by Raimundo Mchoo at Jul 27, 1984 at 5:01 AM EST |
| this song is absolutely breath-taking,awesome lyrics.Layne,you rule,RIP | |
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No Picture
jeph Wanna Be |
#8 by jeph howar at Jun 19, 1985 at 7:03 PM EST |
| This was the first Mad Season song I ever stumbled across. It was, as per the norm, misattributed to Alice In Chains on Napster (RIP) and all I could say was: Wow. This is absolutely fucking amazing. Why wasn't it released? And then in a conversation I was having with a friend he was like, "Oh, that plays on the radio all the time here." That was how I was introduced to Mad Season. I couldn't believe my ears when I picked up my copy of "Above." Layne Staley's beatiful voice on a blues sounding album. I fell in love and was waiting for the second album that I was hoping would come. It never came. Mad Season fell apart, and Staley died. Man, that was a total let down for me. | |
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No Picture
Connor Rhythm Player |
#9 by Connor Fowler at Jan 6, 1987 at 9:34 PM EST |
| gawd? is that a word? i think the song all apologies has the saddest cobain lyrics. | |
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No Picture
b-rad Lead Player |
#10 by b-rad at May 9, 1988 at 8:49 PM EST |
| Don't know why this came to me but it did one night while I was "under the influence." It seems like Layne Staley, even in Alice in Chains with Jerry Cantrell writing, seems to sing about songs with very vague words. It doesn't talk about specific pains. But it looks as if he's giving you only a partial picture of what he understands. It seems that a lot of these bands, Mad Season are so underrated. These people are in a state of mind that is so ahead of the rest of us. But alas, as the brightest flame burns quickest, Layne made a sacrifice to know these things and to communicate them. Heroin took him down, but God bless him for he belongs in a higher place. | |
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No Picture
Eat All The Gra Wanna Be |
#11 by Eat All The Grass That You Want Butler at Apr 9, 1990 at 5:23 PM EST |
| I've been listening to Mad Season and AIC for a long time. I have always loved to listen to this song but never made a personal connection with the lyrics until about a year ago when I over came my own personal addictions. Then the songs meaning shined through. Just remember that your pain is self-chosen. | |
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No Picture
Ben Average |
#12 by Ben Rackow at Nov 17, 1991 at 3:41 AM EST |
| I believe this more to be about personal enlightenment rather than drugs.. Its clear though that anything with his life in truth was attached to drugs it seems. I think his consciousness has been raised above most and he sees everything covered in lies. The lies attach to himself because there is nobody to witness it with him. The burden of carrying this weight pulls his soul down while his own consciouss rises. He is accepting the decisions he has made and accepting the consequenses. It seems to be he is always faced with the choice of living with the lies or separating them from himself and drowning. | |
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No Picture
|
#13 by at Nov 9, 1993 at 6:42 AM EST |
| "My pain is self-chosen." This song is very emotional. Staley was making a confession here. He realized his situation yet addiction had taken him to the point of no return. I read that Staley spent the last few years of his life alone in his apartment, getting high and playing video games. That's no way for someone to go out. Staley definitely put his heart and soul into his music and it shows. | |
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No Picture
=====$4M===== Average |
#14 by =====$4M===== at Mar 8, 1996 at 7:49 PM EST |
| This song is about self-reflection regarding a deceitful lifestyle. It can be generally placed under the umbrella of simple existential thought. For those of you unaware, when Layne writes/sings: 'My pain is self-chosen At least, so The Prophet says', he is referring to the book "The Prophet" by Khalill Gibran. The Prophet is about a man's journey toward enlightenment on the meaning of existence on this planet, in this realm, for this time. He is met with several of life's characters, they who have been impacted by his very existence, and begins to understand why and how a person is impacted upon and impacts upon others with just his or her very existence. it's a great read, and given Layne's penchant for philosophical study (toward the end of the 1990s, he began to read quite extensively on existential philosophy and the expansion of thought), it's a wonderful idea for a song. The Prophet is worth your time, and I believe you'll understand the song's meanings (line for line, they're brilliant in their references to thought and life's purpose) once you complete the book. Of course, that isn't the only influential tome in the song, but The Prophet is obviously quite a large influence. | |
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No Picture
Ålex Jones™ Wanna Be |
#15 by Ålex Jones™ at Aug 18, 2005 at 5:39 AM EST |
| I caught it when The Prophet iterates just what layne says, "your pain is self chosen" and then, 'so The Prophet says..." I have to admit i didn't make the connection until two years ago. | |
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No Picture
ari Average |
#16 by ari o at Oct 6, 2007 at 12:19 AM EST |
| I caught it when The Prophet iterates just what layne says, "your pain is self chosen" and then, 'so The Prophet says..." I have to admit i didn't make the connection until two years ago. | |
