Gentle on My Mind
Timeless Wanderlust: A Journey Through Unforgettable Memories
Lyrics
It's knowing that your door is always open
Feeling assured that someone is always welcoming and accessible.
And your path is free to walk
Knowing that the way forward is open and unrestricted.
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag
Feeling comfortable enough to abandon personal belongings in their space.
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
Keeping personal items like a sleeping bag stored away at their place.
And it's knowing I'm not shacked by forgotten words and bons
Feeling unburdened by forgotten promises and emotional scars.
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
Not being affected by past mistakes or regrets.
That keeps you in the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry
Memories of the person being associated with familiar and nostalgic places.
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
The memories of the person remain comforting and soothing.
It's not clinging to the rocks and I'd be planted
Not feeling tied down or constrained by rigid beliefs or situations.
On their columns, now that binds me
Not being restricted by societal expectations or norms.
Or somethin' that somebody said because
Not affected by what others say about the relationship.
They thought we fit together walking
Not conforming to others' perceptions of a suitable couple.
It's just knowin' that the world will not be cursin' or forgiving
Accepting that the world won't praise or condemn one's choices.
When I walk along some railroad track and find
Realizing that the person is moving forward independently.
That you're movin' on the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry
The person is still associated with fond memories and thoughts.
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
The enduring nature of the person's calming influence on thoughts and memories.
Though the wheet fields and the clothes lines
Despite physical distances and obstacles, memories remain.
And the junk yards and the highways come between us
Mentions various barriers between them and the person.
And some other woman cryin' to her mother
Refers to another woman's distress upon realizing the absence of the speaker.
'Cause she turned and I was gone
Leaving abruptly, causing distress to someone.
I still might run in silence, tears of joy might stain my face
Expressing the potential for emotional outpouring in solitude.
And a summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
Indicating enduring pain despite positive memories.
But not to where I cannot see you walking on the back roads
Knowing that the person remains steadfast in memories.
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind
Continued thoughts about the person in serene settings.
I dipped my cup of soap back from a gurglin'
Referencing a moment of recollection near a train yard.
Cracklin' caltron in some train yard
A specific location where the speaker recalls a memory.
My beard a roughen coal pile
Describing physical appearance related to hard labor.
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Being incognito or hidden from view.
Through cupped hands 'round a tin
Imagining holding the person close despite physical absence.
Can I pretend I hold you to my breast and find
Yearning for the person's presence even in imagination.
That you're waving from the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry?
Imagining the person's presence in familiar settings.
Ever smiling, ever gentle on my mind
Continued association of positivity with memories of the person.
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