The old home town looks the same as I step down from the train
and there to meet me is my mama and papa;
Down the road I look and there runs Mary, hair of gold and lips like cherries,
it's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me arms a'reaching, smiling sweetly;
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
The old house is still standing, though the paint is cracked and dry,
and there's that old oak tree that I used to play on;
Down the lane I walk and with my sweet Mary, hair of gold and lips like cherries,
it's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Then I awake and look around me at the four gray walls that surround me and I realize that
I was only dreaming. For there's a guard and there's a sad old padre.
Arm and arm we'll walk at daybreak - again I'll touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree;
As they lay me 'neath the green, green grass of home.
Kenny Rogers 1977
I decided it was time to mix it up a bit. So we went old school in a whole different genre. Let me start by saying I am in no way a Kenny Rogers expert. I am not even a fan but we had to mix it up. Kenny is definitely an influential singer and has been around forever.
This song is about a man that has been away from home for an undetermined amount of time. He is coming home and seeing his parents and what we assume his girlfriend. He is stepping off the train and touching the grass. He speaks of seeing the old oak tree, and the family house, walking along with his girl.
The hero than finds himself surrounded by four walls, he is in prison. He is actually awaiting his execution but he is dreaming of life outside. He will return home when he is dead and buried.
I can't really put much more meaning to the song than the literal. Briefly listening to it I could also apply it to a serviceman or woman overseas for sometime.
So Rick, we totally flipped the coin. What do you think?
Hmmm... Kenny Rogers... definitely an interesting turn of events. Do you even like this song, Mardi?
ReplyDeleteI mentioned once before that many songs, even really big pop songs (and yes, I consider KR more pop than country) come from a very dark place. This one is no different. I admit that I've never even listened to the lyrics and when the song came up anywhere I usually diverted my attention elsewhere. As you can guess, I never liked the song.
As for those in the service of the nation, I can see where the first 2 verses apply, but the last verse just makes the whole song just incredibly sad. Mardi is right in that there is no greater meaning in this song than to simply tell a story.
I wonder if Kenny Rogers read Boethius.
I'm going to have to get creative with my next song.