Rockin' Chair
The Band Lyrics
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Don't you raise the sails anymore
It's for sure, I've spent my whole life at sea
And I'm pushin' age seventy-three
Now there's only one place that was meant for me
Oh, to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Willie
We're gonna soothe away the rest of our years
We're gonna put away all of our tears
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
Slow down, Willie boy
Your heart's gonna give right out on you
It's true, and I believe I know what we should do
Turn the stern and point to shore
These seven seas won't carry us no more
Oh, to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Willie
I can't wait to sniff that air
Dip'n snuff, I won't have no care
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
Hear the sound, Willie boy
The Flyin' Dutchman's on the reef
It's my belief
We've used up all our time
This hill's to steep to climb
And the days that remain ain't worth a dime
Oh, to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Willie
Woulda been nice just to see the folks
Listen once again to the stale jokes
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
I can hear something calling on me
And you know where I want to be
Oh, Willie, don't you hear that sound? (to be home again)
(Down in old Virginny)
I just want to (oh to be home again)
Get my feet back on the ground
(Down in old Virginny)
I'd love to see my very best friend (he's my very best friend)
They call him Rag-time Willie
I believe old rockin' chair's got me (oh, to be home again)
The Band's song Rockin' Chair is a lament for the end of an era, with lead singer Levon Helm reflecting on the approaching end of his seafaring life. The first stanza finds Helm addressing his longtime shipmate, asking him to stay onboard and not to raise the sails any longer. This is a resonant request because we know that they have been together for a long, long time, and yet, they are getting old. Helm clearly conveys feelings of being tired and worn out. Despite all his travels, the only place he dreams of is home, specifically Old Virginny, where his best friend Ragtime Willie resides. The imagery used in describing his desires to live out his remaining years in peace and stability with his friend is poignant. The rocker explicitly marked as “big” signifies Helm's understanding that his journey through life has amounted to something formidable, and yet comforting, well worth having made it through.
The second stanza of the song sees Helm's thoughts turning to mortality as he pleads with his companion to slow down, knowing that his own heart is on the brink. The phrase “Your heart's gonna give right out on you” reveals the singer's anxiety and concession that they might not make it back to their homeland. As Ragtime Willie turns the ship away from the sea and toward home, the singer metaphorically portrays the end of their journey. Helm’s extended metaphor for Death takes the shape of the Flying Dutchman, "on the reef." He sings, "these seven seas won't carry us no more," stressing that their traveling days have officially come to an end. Despite all of life's trials and turbulence, “that big rockin' chair” remains steady and constant. The use of ‘rocking chair’ in this song is a metaphor for ageing; it provides the singer with the chance to ponder his lifetime of experiences and invites his listeners to reflect on all that has gone before.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang around, Willie Boy
Don't you raise the sails anymore
Let's stay put, Willie. No need to set sail anymore.
It's for sure, I've spent my whole life at sea
And I'm pushin' age seventy-three
Now there's only one place that was meant for me
I've been a sailor for my entire life and I'm getting old. It's become clear to me that being back home is the only thing left for me.
Oh, to be home again
Down in old Virginny
With my very best friend
They call him Ragtime Willie
We're gonna soothe away the rest of our years
We're gonna put away all of our tears
That big rockin' chair won't go nowhere
I long to go back to Virginia and spend time with Ragtime Willie. We'll relax, put our troubles behind us, and reminiscence in the comforts of our own home.
Slow down, Willie boy
Your heart's gonna give right out on you
It's true, and I believe I know what we should do
Turn the stern and point to shore
These seven seas won't carry us no more
Willie, you need to slow down; your health is at risk. I think we should head back to shore because we are too old to keep sailing.
Hear the sound, Willie boy
The Flyin' Dutchman's on the reef
It's my belief
We've used up all our time
This hill's to steep to climb
And the days that remain ain't worth a dime
Do you hear that, Willie? The Flyin' Dutchman is on the reef. I believe we have run out of time and we're past our prime. We shouldn't waste any more of our precious time.
I can hear something calling on me
And you know where I want to be
Oh, Willie, don't you hear that sound? (to be home again)
(Down in old Virginny)
I just want to (oh to be home again)
Get my feet back on the ground
(Down in old Virginny)
I'd love to see my very best friend (he's my very best friend)
They call him Rag-time Willie
I believe old rockin' chair's got me (oh, to be home again)
Something inside me is telling me that I need to be back home. Willie, can't you hear it too? I just want to be back home in Virginia and see Rag-time Willie. I feel like I'm never going to leave my trusty old rocking chair again.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jack Thornes
I don’t think i’ll ever get over how good this album is
jonasjar
this is one of the most incredible songs I've heard in my entire life
C. Thurston
Don’t get out much?
bartonone2005
The older I get, the more this song resonates with me. Pretty sharp insight from a bunch of young songwriters. I hope Richard Manuel and Rick Danko are smiling. Their music has sure made me happy.
Michael Macias
I completely agree.
George Kivari
Add Levon to this list as well
Joel Wexler
@George Kivari All the voices are gone.
The days that remain ain't worth a dime
malcolm sweet
@Joel Wexler we'll never see their like again
bartonone2005
@malcolm sweet For sure!!
Dan Fleshler
I've probably listened to this 1000 times since the early '70s. Just now realized how much feeling they all packed into the chorus. Each of them poured his heart out into every note, and that's one reason why the harmonies are so haunting.