Written by: Lennon
Recorded: May 1968
Unreleased
John Lennon: vocals, acoustic guitar
Ringo Starr: shaker
Child Of Nature was a song written by John Lennon in 1968 in India. The tune eventually resurfaced as Jealous Guy – with different lyrics – on Lennon's 1971 solo album Imagine.
Like Paul McCartney's Mother Nature's Son, the song was inspired by a lecture given by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in Rishikesh, India. It is variously known as Child Of Nature or I'm Just A Child Of Nature, after a brief mention given by Lennon in a 1980 interview for Playboy magazine.
[Mother Nature's Son] was from a lecture of Maharishi where he was talking about nature, and I had a piece called I'm Just A Child Of Nature, which turned into Jealous Guy years later. Both inspired from the same lecture of Maharishi.
All We Are Saying, David Sheff
Lennon taped a demo of Child Of Nature at Kinfauns, George Harrison's bungalow in Esher, Surrey. The Beatles assembled there in the last week of May 1968 to record demos for the White Album. Lennon double-tracked his vocals and guitar, and a shaker – possibly played by Ringo Starr – was also added.
A number of theories have been put forward as to why The Beatles didn't record the song for the White Album. Its lyrical similarity to Mother Nature's Son may have been a factor, but it seems more likely that the innocence and openness of Lennon's words sat uneasily next to the likes of Sexy Sadie and Yer Blues.
A second version was attempted by Lennon and Harrison on 2 January 1969, the first day of the ill-fated Get Back sessions. This time, Lennon changed the opening line to "On the road to Marrakesh", perhaps in an attempt to distance the song from the Maharishi. A 25-second extract appeared on the Fly On The Wall bonus disc included with early copies of Let It Be... Naked.
The third version was recorded on 24 January at Apple Studios, again during the Get Back sessions. This was the only full-band attempt by The Beatles.
Child Of Nature was one of the few previously widely-bootlegged songs which The Beatles chose not to include on the Anthology collections. The reason is unknown, but it seems likely that its similarity to Jealous Guy, published as a solo Lennon composition in 1971, may have been a factor.
Lyrics
On the road to Rishikesh
I was dreaming more or less
And the dream I had was true
Yes, the dream I had was true
I'm just a child of nature
I don't need much to set me free
I'm just child of nature
I'm one of nature's children
Sunlight shining in your eyes
As I face the desert skies
And my thoughts return to home
Yes, my thoughts return to home
I'm just a child of nature
I don't need much to set me free
I'm just a child of nature
I'm one of nature's children
Underneath the mountain ranges
Where the wind that never changes
Touch the windows of my soul
Touch the windows of my soul
I'm just a child of nature
I don't need much to set me free
I'm just a child of nature
I'm one of nature's children
Good thing this was cut because the lyrics for Jealous Guy absolutely blow these out of the water.
His Best Solo Song
No way man. This song is immortal in it’s original form. Lyrics and music.
Totally agree. Really wish they had recorded this.
I think it’s George on the lead guitar (the one that sounds like a mandolin being played). That or John actually overdubbed that bit.
Yes, can we confirm who is playing those little Indian-sounding string-flourishes that occasionally pop up on the demo? Really like those! I often wonder how full on “Indian” they would have gone with this song had they developed it.
Agreed. It is very interesting hearing the original demo, but truth be told the lyrics are kinda crappy and cheesy by Lennon standards. I’m glad he re-wrote them as Jealous Guy.
A complete demo version, with John only (vocals/acoustic guitar), was played on the 6th episode of “The Lost Lennon Tapes” Westwood One radio series. The episode was originally broadcast the week of February 29-March 6, 1988. It, along with the entire series, is available via podcast at http://littleabby.podomatic.com/.
What a beautiful melody. Both versions are great. The song’s beauty and simplicity is shared by Paul’s equally glorious Mother Nature’s Son.
Though I have loved “Mother Nature’s Son” much at points over my life, the melody/chords of “Child Of Nature”/”Jealous Guy” is on another level.
Who played on the let it be… Naked recording? I think this is more important than who played on the demo because the get back sessions recording was officially released. You could write
Esher:
Lennon…
Starr….
Get Back Sessions
……
And the unreleased is not really true is it because it is released on let it be naked and that’s an official album
Can anyone change it?
John played the acoustic. Th percussion was both Lennon and Ringo.
Lennon on tambourine, Ringo on the (casaba) shaker and drums.
Harrison might have played the mandolin-esque lead guitar lines.
There are already people saying he didn’t record it because Paul finished his first and spoilt john and George’s plan because there was always a bitterness between John and Paul. I imagine they never lived with the Beatles to know what happened. But some people really love to spread bad vibes around them. I don’t know why he gave up but for someone who wrote Sexy Sadie and after his problem with the Mararishi this seems to be the real reason. It makes sense. I love the way he played the guitar sounding like a mandolin. I never heard this sound in any other of their songs. Amazing.
Love it for what it is. Love Jealous Guy too!
The verses are nice enough, but the chorus is a little forced. Jealous Guy flows much better.
HI all, second guitar (fills) sounds is like a Greek bouzouki, any chance George had on lying around from his trip in Greek earlier the year before?
Always loved this song and the interesting chord progression – especially the Em6 in the verses. It was on so many bootlegs I was surprised it didn’t show up on Anthology. I don’t give a damn if it sounds like Jealous Guy – it’s still a good song and it should be properly remixed – along with all the other Esher demos. Do they think they’ll lose money if did? At least they could make them available for download.