Green, Green Grass of Home
Homecoming Dreams: Embracing the Nostalgic Green, Green Grass
Lyrics
The old home town looks the same
The speaker observes that their old hometown remains unchanged.
As I step down from the train
Upon arriving, the speaker notices the familiarity of the surroundings as they step down from a train.
And there to meet me is my Mama and Papa
The speaker's parents, Mama and Papa, are there to greet them.
Down the road I look and there runs Mary
The speaker sees Mary running down the road, describing her with golden hair and cherry-like lips.
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
Mary's physical attributes are emphasized with a positive connotation.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home
The speaker expresses joy at touching the green grass of home, suggesting a sense of comfort and nostalgia.
The old house is still standing
The old house still stands despite visible signs of aging, like cracked and dry paint.
tho' the paint is cracked and dry
Despite the aging appearance, the speaker notes the presence of an old oak tree associated with childhood play.
And there's that old oak tree that I used to play on
The speaker reminisces about playing on the old oak tree in the past.
Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary
The speaker walks down the lane with Mary, reiterating her physical attributes.
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
Similar to line 5, the speaker appreciates Mary's beauty.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home
The repeated expression of joy in touching the green grass reinforces the theme of nostalgia.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me,
Anticipation of a warm welcome with open arms and smiles from the community.
arms reaching, smiling sweetly
Describes the welcoming gesture of the community members.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home
Reiterates the joy of being back home and touching the green grass.
Then I awake and look around me
The speaker wakes up to the reality of being surrounded by grey prison walls.
At four grey walls that surround me
Describes the confinement within prison walls.
And I realize, yes, I was only dreaming
The speaker realizes that the earlier scenes were just a dream.
For there's a guard and there's a sad old padre
Introduces the presence of a guard and a sad old padre (priest) within the prison context.
Arm in arm, we'll walk at daybreak
The speaker envisions walking with the sad old padre at daybreak.
Again I touch the green, green grass of home
Expresses a desire to touch the green grass again, contrasting the dream with the harsh reality of prison.
Yes, they'll all come to see me
Reiterates the community's imagined visit to the speaker within the dream.
In the shade of that old oak tree
Describes the imagined scene of people gathering under the old oak tree.
As they lay me 'neath the green,
Refers to the speaker being laid to rest beneath the green grass of home in the dream.
green grass of home
Continuation of the funeral scene in the dream with people paying respects.
Yes, they'll all come to see me
Repeats the anticipation of the community's visit and gathering under the old oak tree.
In the shade of that old oak tree
Reiterates the scene of people coming to see the speaker in the dream.
As they lay me 'neath the green,
Repeats the idea of being laid to rest beneath the green grass of home in the dream.
green grass of home
Continuation of the funeral scene with the final touch of the green grass.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home
Reaffirms the comforting and positive feeling associated with touching the green grass of home.
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