All Things Must Pass (song)

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All Things Must Pass is a song written by George Harrison. It appeared on his 1970 solo album of the same name. He rehearsed it with The Beatles and it at one time was being considered as a Beatles song.

Contents

[edit] Writing

George had based the lyrics on a translation of Chapter 23 of the Tao Te Ching, reprinted in Timothy Leary's 1966 book Psychedelic Prayers After The Tao Te Ching, under the title of "All Things Pass." It went:

"All things pass
A sunrise does not last all morning
All things pass
A cloudburst does not last all day"

These bear a strong resemblance to the opening lyrics of "All Things Must Pass."

"Sunrise doesn't last all morning
A cloudburst doesn't last all day
Seems my love is up and has left you with no warning
It's not always gonna be this grey"

For reasons unknown, likely that the other Beatles did not appreciate George's work, they never properly recorded it. Both Mark Lewisohn and Ian McDonald have suggested that George had originally brought the song in during the sessions for Revolver but had it ignored.

[edit] The Beatles' Versions

The earliest recordings of this song are from the Get Back sessions in January 1969, where it was played several times and considered for the album Let It Be. Although it was played several times throughout these sessions, it was not included on the final album. On February 25, 1969, George's 26th birthday, George recorded two demo takes of this song, as well as Something and Old Brown Shoe (See Recording Session - February 25, 1969). All Things Must Pass is the simplest demo, with just George singing and two guitar parts, both played by him. One of the All Things Must Pass demos is featured on Anthology 3.

[edit] George Harrison Version

George had recorded the song as a solo effort for his 1970 album All Things Must Pass. This version is much more elaborate than The Beatles versions, with piano and a brass parts instead of the four-instrument lineup The Beatles had used throughout the Get Back sessions.

[edit] Available Versions

[edit] The Beatles

[edit] George Harrison

  • Acetate Mix, 1970, (Bootlegs)
  • Master Take, 1970, (All Things Must Pass)
  • Rough Take False Start, 1970, (Bootlegs)
  • Outtake, 1970, (Bootlegs)
  • Master without Overdubs, 1970, (Bootlegs)
  • Master with alternate vocals, 1970, (Bootlegs)
  • Live with Ravi Shankar for Yin and Yang program on VH1, May 14, 1997, (Bootlegs)
  • Short Promo Film Rendition, 2000, (Bootlegs)
  • Acoustic Version from Friar Park, February 2001, (Bootlegs)

[edit] Available On

[edit] Cover Versions

[edit] Source

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