Lord I swear the perfume you wear
Was made out of turnip greens
And every time I kiss you girl
It tastes like pork and beans
Even though you're wearin' them
Citified high heels
I can tell by your giant step
You been walkin' through the cotton fields
Oh, you're so down home girl

Every time you monkey child
You take my breath away
And every time you move like that
I gotta get down and pray
Don't you know that dress of yours
Was made out of fiberglass
And every time you move like that
I gotta go to Sunday mass
Oh, you're so down home girl

Oh, you're so down home girl

I'm gonna take you to the muddy river
And push you in
Just to watch the water roll on
Down your velvet skin
I'm gonna take you back to New Orleans
Down in Dixieland
I'm gonna watch you do the second line
With an umbrella in your hand
Oh, you're so down home girl

I'm with ya baby
You're so down home
Ow! Yeah, too much
Outta sight
You're so down home girl

Overall Meaning

The Rolling Stones's song Down Home Girl is an ode to a country girl who has made her way to the city. The lyrics suggest that despite her attempts to dress up and be fashionable, she is still a down-home girl at heart. The singer notes that even though she wears citified high heels, the way she walks and moves suggests she has been walking through the cotton fields. The singer admires her for being true to herself and not being afraid to mix her country roots with her city style.

The lyrics contain playful and flirtatious language, as the singer compliments the girl on the way she smells and tastes. The singer notes that her perfume smells like turnip greens, and when he kisses her, it tastes like pork and beans. The references to food and country settings support the idea that the girl is proud of her origins and heritage.

The chorus reaffirms the singer’s feelings toward the girl, describing her as a down-home girl. The verses continue to describe the girl's movements, with the singer being taken aback by the way she dances and moves. The final verse suggests that the singer is taken with the girl to the point that he wants to take her to his favorite places, including the muddy river and New Orleans, which is heavily steeped in music and culture.

Line by Line Meaning

Lord I swear the perfume you wear Was made out of turnip greens
The scent of your perfume reminds me of homely turnip greens, giving me a sense of comfort and familiarity.

And every time I kiss you girl It tastes like pork and beans
Your lips taste like the simple, rustic dish of pork and beans, which brings back memories of simpler times and peaceful living.

Even though you're wearin' them Citified high heels
Although you dress up in stylish, city girl footwear, you exude an aura of the authentic, pure-hearted down home girl.

I can tell by your giant step You been walkin' through the cotton fields
There's a confident, grounded energy about your footsteps, as if you've spent much of your life journeying through the cotton fields and basking in the beauty of nature.

Every time you monkey child You take my breath away
Whenever you dance and let loose like a playful monkey, my heart skips a beat because of how effortlessly and joyfully you express yourself.

Don't you know that dress of yours Was made out of fiberglass
Your dress may look fancy and expensive, but it's made of the same modern, industrial material as fiberglass, which contrasts with your natural, genuine qualities.

And every time you move like that I gotta go to Sunday mass
Your smooth, sensual movements make me feel as if I'm attending a religious ceremony, as if you embody something greater than ourselves.

I'm gonna take you to the muddy river And push you in Just to watch the water roll on Down your velvet skin
I want to bring you to a rustic, rural place and immerse you in its natural waters, watching you emerge glowing and silky smooth, like velvet.

I'm gonna take you back to New Orleans Down in Dixieland I'm gonna watch you do the second line With an umbrella in your hand
We'll visit the southern city of New Orleans, where we can immerse ourselves in the vibrant music and culture, watching you dance the iconic second line with a colorful umbrella in your hand.

I'm with ya baby You're so down home Ow! Yeah, too much Outta sight You're so down home girl
I'm proud and honored to be with you, because you embody the essence of a down home girl, with all your simplicity, authenticity, and naturalness. You're truly one of a kind.

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