Ramble On

Ramble On
Appears on	Led Zeppelin II
Published by	Superhype Music
Registration	ASCAP 480095609
Release date	22 October 1969
Recorded	June 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York. Mixed at A&R Studios, New York.
Genre	Hard rock, folk rock
Language	English
Length	4 min 35 sec
Composer	Jimmy Page, Robert Plant
Label	Atlantic Records
Producer	Jimmy Page
Engineer	Eddie Kramer

'Ramble On' is a song by English rock band Led Zeppelin from their 1969 album Led Zeppelin II. It was co-written by Jimmy Page and Robert Plant, and was recorded in 1969 at Juggy Sound Studio, New York, during the band's second concert tour of the United States.

The guitar's jangly introduction employs a classic Jimmy Page technique: using regular open chords superimposed higher on the fretboard. Often mistaken for bongos, drummer John Bonham is actually hitting a bodhran throughout the song. The song also serves as a classic illustration of the tight interplay between bassist John Paul Jones and drummer John Bonham. Jones' light, melodic bass phrases give way to a clever ascending motif which follows Bonham's bass drum.

Tolkien influence

The song's lyrics were heavily influenced by The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. The opening line ('Leaves are falling all around') is probably a paraphrase of the opening line of Tolkien's poem 'Namárië'. The poem may also be the inspiration for the entire first verse.

It is most likely about Frodo Baggins's stay in Rivendell, while the Council of Elrond decided what was to be done with the Ring. Frodo enjoys his stay very much, but knows through this time that he has a very somber task ahead of him, and he must indeed 'ramble on.' It is equally possible that the song is about Frodo's stay in Lothlorien, where the full moon cycled a full time, and it would have 'lit his way.'

The Tolkien references later in the song refer to the adventures of either Frodo as he travels to Mordor, or that of Aragorn as he has to choose between staying with his love Arwen (Elrond's daughter) or going to destroy the Ring in Mordor. The mention of Gollum, from the Tolkien Trilogy, makes this song's relation to Tolkien the most widely known:

‘

Mine's a tale that can't be told, My freedom I hold dear; How years ago in days of old When magic filled the air, T'was in the darkest depths of Mordor I met a girl so fair. But Gollum, and the evil one crept up And slipped away with her.

’

References to the work of Tolkien also exist in other Led Zeppelin songs, such as 'Bron-Y-Aur Stomp', 'Misty Mountain Hop', and 'The Battle of Evermore'.

Live performances

Until 2007 'Ramble On' was never performed live in its entirety at Led Zeppelin concerts. However, part of the song was performed by the band in the middle of 'Babe I'm Gonna Leave You' at a concert at Toronto on 2 November 1969, as can be heard on the Led Zeppelin bootleg Listen to my Bluebird. The full version of the song was played at Led Zeppelin's reunion show on 10 December 2007, at the O2 Arena in London.

In 2004, the song was ranked #433 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Chart positions

Single (Digital download)

Chart (2007)	Peak position
Canadian Billboard Hot Digital Singles Chart	66

Credits

Personnel

Musicians: Jimmy Page – electric guitar, acoustic guitar, producer, remastering, digital remastering Robert Plant – vocals John Paul Jones – bass guitar John Bonham - drums, percussion Production: Peter Grant – executive producer Eddie Kramer - engineer, mixing Joe Sidore - original CD mastering engineer (mid-1980s) George Marino - remastered CD engineer (1990)