Red Fern
Chasing Dreams: From Red Dirt to City Lights
Lyrics
Well
Introduction, setting the scene.
Towards the border of the Northeast corner
Geographical reference to the Northeast corner of Oklahoma.
Of Oklahoma lives a Native girl
Description of a Native girl residing in that region.
Spends her days in Delaware County
She spends her time in Delaware County.
But she wants to see the ocean for the pearls
Expresses her desire to see the ocean for pearls.
Never had two nickels to rub together
Life of financial struggle; never having much.
All she knew was how to work
Her expertise lies in hard work.
So she's singin' for some change in a guitar case
Engaged in busking with a guitar case for financial improvement.
To pull herself out of the dirt
Seeking to lift herself out of poverty.
She sings I love this place but it ain't my home
Expresses love for her current place but acknowledges it's not her home.
I belong where people hear my songs and sing along
Believes her true home is where people appreciate her music.
And I hate to lеave it, but I've got to go
Reluctantly acknowledges the need to leave for her musical aspirations.
I was meant for morе than missin' cowboys
Desires a life beyond missing cowboys, referencing "Where the Red Fern Grows."
Where the red fern grows
Reference to the novel "Where the Red Fern Grows," suggesting a longing for a more fulfilling life.
Pretty soon those dreams that she'd been dreamin'
Initial dreams become achievable.
Didn't seem so out of reach
Perception of goals becoming within reach.
So she switched from change and checks
Shift from street performances to more formal shows.
And started playin' shows that weren't out on the street
Transition in her musical career.
Met a drummer in a red dirt band
Introduction of a drummer in a red dirt band in Tahlequah.
In Tahlequah who swore he'd make her shine
The drummer pledges to enhance her talent.
So she ran off to the city, left the boy she loved
She leaves her loved ones for the pursuit of her musical dreams.
And her family behind
Sacrifices made for her aspirations.
She sings I love this place, but it ain't my home
Reiteration of love for her current place but not considering it her home.
I belong where people hear my songs and sing along
Desire to be where her music is appreciated.
And I hate to leave, but I've got to go
Reluctance in leaving but recognizing the necessity.
I was meant for more than missin' cowboys
Yearning for a life beyond longing for cowboys.
Where the red fern grows
Days turn into months
Passage of time from days to months.
All the months turn into years
Progression of time to years.
Streets turn to stadiums and silence turns to cheers
Evolution from performing on streets to large stadiums.
Them Oklahoma hills, they still call out her name
Despite success, the Oklahoma hills continue to call her.
If you listen close you can hear her sing
Her singing voice is still connected to her roots.
She sings I love this place, but it ain't my home
Reiteration of love for her current place but not considering it her home.
I belong where people hear my songs and sing along
Desire for a home where people appreciate and sing along to her songs.
And I hate to leave but, I've got to go
Reluctance in leaving but recognizing the necessity.
I was meant for more than missin' cowboys
Yearning for a life beyond longing for cowboys.
Where the red fern grows
Reference again to "Where the Red Fern Grows," symbolizing a deeper, unfulfilled longing.
Towards the border of the Northeast corner
Geographical reference to the Northeast corner of Oklahoma, mirroring the beginning.
Of Oklahoma lives a Native girl
Reiteration of the Native girl's location.
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