There where no cuckoos, no sycamores
We played about the forest floor
Underneath the silver maples, the balsams and the sky
We popped the heads off of dandelions
Assuming roles from nursery rhymes
Rested on the riverbank
And grew up by and by
And grew up by and by

Frail my heart apart
And play me a little "Shady Grove"
Ring the bells of Rhymney
'Til they ring inside my head forever
Bounce the bow, rock the gallows
For the hangman's reel
And wake the devil from his dream

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan

And if you were Willie Moore
And I was Barbara Allen
Or Fair Ellen all sad at the cabin door
A weepin' and a-pinin' for love
A weepin' and a-pinin' for love

Frail my heart apart
And play me a little "Shady Grove"
Ring the bells of Rhymney
'Til they ring inside my head forever
Bounce the bow, rock the gallows
For the hangman's reel
And wake the devil from his dream

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm going back to Harlan

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Emmylou Harris's song "Going Back To Harlan" are about reminiscing on childhood memories and longing to return to the simplicity and innocence of the past. The opening lines highlight the absence of the familiar sounds of nature like cuckoos and sycamores, and instead reflect on playing in the forest floor under the silver maples, balsams, and sky. The children in the song engage in playful activities such as popping the heads off of dandelions and assuming roles from nursery rhymes while growing up gradually over time.

The chorus speaks of a desire to return to this idyllic time and place, the titular Harlan. The call to play "Shady Grove" and ring the bells of Rhymney is a reference to the deep Appalachian musical roots of Harlan County, Kentucky. The lyrics take on a slightly darker tone with the mention of the hangman's reel and the idea of waking the devil from his dream. This echoes the often heavy and troubled history of the region and its people.

In the final verse, the song shifts to an imagined scenario where the singer and a lover take on the roles of classic ballad characters Willie Moore and Barbara Allen, or Fair Ellen. The reference to weeping and pining for love reflects on the age-old themes of love and loss in traditional Appalachian songs. Ultimately, the song is a nostalgic reflection on the happy memories of childhood and the yearning to return to a simpler time and place.

Line by Line Meaning

There where no cuckoos, no sycamores
The forest was not filled with the usual sounds and trees

We played about the forest floor
We ran and frolicked on the ground

Underneath the silver maples, the balsams and the sky
We wandered beneath the large trees and gazed at the beautiful sky

We popped the heads off of dandelions
We tore off the heads of dandelions

Assuming roles from nursery rhymes
We acted out parts from our favorite nursery rhymes

Rested on the riverbank
We sat and relaxed by the river

And grew up by and by
We grew up slowly but surely

Frail my heart apart
My heart feels weak and vulnerable

And play me a little "Shady Grove"
Please play me a song to ease my heart

Ring the bells of Rhymney
Let the bells of Rhymney ring out

'Til they ring inside my head forever
Let the sound stay with me forever

Bounce the bow, rock the gallows
Play the fiddle energetically, even like you're at a hanging

For the hangman's reel
Play a tune that reflects the darkness of the hanging

And wake the devil from his dream
Even Satan will be stirred and moved by this music

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm returning to my childhood home of Harlan

And if you were Willie Moore
If you were my lover Willie Moore

And I was Barbara Allen
If I was the tragic character Barbara Allen

Or Fair Ellen all sad at the cabin door
Or even as Fair Ellen, mourning at the cabin door

A weepin' and a-pinin' for love
Crying in despair and longing for love

Frail my heart apart
My heart feels weak and vulnerable

And play me a little "Shady Grove"
Please play me a song to ease my heart

Ring the bells of Rhymney
Let the bells of Rhymney ring out

'Til they ring inside my head forever
Let the sound stay with me forever

Bounce the bow, rock the gallows
Play the fiddle energetically, even like you're at a hanging

For the hangman's reel
Play a tune that reflects the darkness of the hanging

And wake the devil from his dream
Even Satan will be stirred and moved by this music

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm returning to my childhood home of Harlan

I'm going back to Harlan
I'm returning to my childhood home of Harlan

I'm going back to Harlan, oh
I'm returning to my childhood home of Harlan

I'm going back to Harlan
I'm returning to my childhood home of Harlan

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