Gentle on My Mind
Unshackled Memories: A Journey Along the Back Roads of the Heart
Lyrics
It's knowin' that your door is always open
Feeling reassured that the person's door is always open and their path is free for anyone to walk.
And your path is free to walk
Knowing this freedom encourages the speaker to leave their sleeping bag rolled up and stored behind the person's couch.
That makes me tend to leave my sleepin' bag rolled up
Expressing a sense of emotional security and comfort in the relationship.
And stashed behind your couch
Symbolic reference to leaving personal belongings behind, indicating a level of trust and permanence.
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
Feeling liberated from past constraints, forgotten words, and bonds.
And the ink stains that have dried upon some lines
Referring to past experiences and mistakes, represented by ink stains on old written lines.
That keeps you in the back roads
Choosing less traveled paths, away from the mainstream, possibly in reflection of a unique and personal journey.
By the rivers of my memory and keeps you ever gentle on my mind
The memories of being together are retained in the speaker's mind, influencing their choices and keeping the person always in their thoughts.
It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Not holding onto past hardships or restrictions represented by rocks and ivy.
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Indicating freedom from constraints imposed by external influences.
Or somethin' that somebody said because
Rejecting societal expectations or judgments about the relationship.
They thought we fit together walkin'
Disregarding others' opinions about compatibility and choosing an independent path.
It's just knowin' that the world will not be cursin' or forgivin'
Acknowledging that the world won't dictate or judge the speaker's choices.
When I walk along some railroad track and find
Reflecting on a journey along a railroad track and discovering that the person is still on less-traveled back roads.
That you're movin' on the back roads
Continuing to follow a unique path, despite challenges and changes.
By the rivers of my memory and for hours you're just gentle on my mind
The memories persist, and the person remains a comforting presence in the speaker's mind.
Though the wheat fields and the coal mines and the junkyards
Despite obstacles like wheat fields, coal mines, and highways, the connection endures.
And the highways come between us
Physical and metaphorical distances don't diminish the impact of the relationship.
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
Reference to another woman's sorrow upon realizing the speaker's absence.
'Cause she turned and I was gone
Emphasizing the unexpected departure and its impact on others.
I still might run in silence tears of joy might stain my face
Potential emotional reactions, such as tears of joy, may accompany the speaker's return.
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
Acknowledging that challenges may arise, but they won't blind the speaker to the enduring connection.
But not to where I cannot see
The speaker retains vision, metaphorically and literally, to see the person on their unique journey.
You walkin' on the back roads by the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind
Reiterating the person's presence in the speaker's memories as they walk on less-traveled paths.
I dip my cup of soup
A simple act like dipping a cup of soup reflects a connection to a shared past and experiences.
Back from some gurglin', cracklin' cauldron in some train yard
Recalling memories of shared meals or experiences, possibly from a train yard.
My beard a roughenin' coal pile
Physical changes in appearance reflect the hardships faced during the speaker's journey.
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Symbolic representation of maintaining anonymity or a low profile.
Through cupped hands 'round a tin can
Imagining the person's presence through a tender moment, despite physical absence.
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
The speaker finds comfort in the thought that the person is still present in their memories.
That you're wavin' from the back roads
Reassurance that the person is still following their unique path, depicted as waving from back roads.
By the rivers of my memory ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind
The enduring positive and comforting presence of the person in the speaker's memories.
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