John Lennon’s first son Julian collaborated with his dad when he was still in nursery school when his now famous drawing of his school friend was titled “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”. With an interesting title to start with, father Lennon proceeded to write a Beatles classic.

Now almost 30 years after his father’s death, Julian Lennon is considering co-writing with his father again. This time father John Lennon will be providing the lyrics and son Julian the tune. Julian had purchased John’s handwritten lyrics from an auction at Sotheby’s a decade ago.

Statue of the Beatles John Lennon

Statue of the Beatles John Lennon


The lyrics are estimated to be from around 1966 around the period of Revolver and Strawberry Fields although the lyrical style is more like the early Beatles. Perhaps that’s why the lyrics were never used for a Beatles song. Lennon had moved onto more Dylan and Lewis Carol inspired poetic lyrics full of imagery. The lyrics were written on the back of a note to George Harrison from Japanese fans, which is why it is speculated that the lyrics were written after the Beatles toured Japan.

Recently Julian said, “I don’t believe the lyrics have been used anywhere,” he explained. “If the time was right, if it felt right, then I would consider looking at the lyrics and maybe trying to work with them and write something. But obviously only in honour of Dad. I guess in some respect it would be like coming home.”

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics read, “Little girl I’ve come to stay/And this time I just have to say/ I love you/If she turns you down and you’re rejected/Try again the best you can/Call to see her when you’re least expected/Tell her now she’ll understand.”

John Lennon’s handwritten lyrics are on display in Liverpool’s Beatles Story Museum as part of an exhibition put on by Julian and his mother Cynthia who was Lennon’s first wife. The exhibition tells the emotional and intimate personal story of the life of the Lennon family. It gives a unique and emotive insight into life with John Lennon that only Cynthia and Julian can give.

Throughout the exhibition Julian and Cynthia recollect their memories, experiences and emotions of their lives with John. The story is brought to you through personal interviews, family photos and the Lennon’s’ unseen collection of memorabilia.

The exhibition is called “White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon Exhibit”. Julian explains the origin of the name, “One thing Dad said to me should he pass away, if there was any way of letting me know he was going to be ok the message would come to me in the form of a white feather. Then something happened to me about ten years ago when I was on tour in Australia. I was presented with a white feather by an Aboriginal tribal elder, which definitely took my breath away. One thing for sure is that the white feather always represented peace to me.”

White Feather: The Spirit of Lennon Exhibit will be on display at Liverpool’s Pier Head in the Beatles Story Museum until December 31st 2009.

- Beatle Geek Pete
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