Southern Nights
Allen Toussaint Lyrics
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have you ever felt a southern night?
Free as a breeze
not to mention the trees
Whistling tunes that you know and love so.
Southern nights
just as good even when closed your eyes.
I apologize to anyone who can truly say
That he has found a better way
Southern skies
have you ever noticed southern skies?
It's precious beauty lies just beyond the eye.
It goes running through your soul
Like the stories told of old
Old man
he and his dog that walked the old land
Ev'ry flower touched his cold hand.
As he slowly walked by
weeping willows
Would cry for joy
Joy
Feel so good
feel so good
it's frigth'ning.
Wish I could,
stop this world from fighting.
La da da da da da la da da da da da da da da
Mysteries
like this and many others in the trees
Blow in the night
in the southern skies.
Southern nights
they feel so good it's fright'ning . . .
Wish I could stop this world from fighting
La da da da da da la da da da da da
da da da da da da da da da da da
The song "Southern Nights" by Allen Toussaint is a tribute to the beauty of Southern nights, specifically the skies and the trees. The song invites the listener to imagine a night in the South, where the air is free, the trees are whistling familiar tunes, and the sky is beautiful in a way that can only be appreciated in the moment. The song also suggests that the Southern landscape has a spiritual quality, as it can "run through your soul like the stories told of old." The lyrics use imagery of an old man and his dog walking the land and flowers touching his cold hand to convey a sense of timelessness and connection to nature.
In addition, the song highlights the mysteries of the Southern night, suggesting that there are many secrets hidden in the trees that blow in the wind. Overall, "Southern Nights" is a nostalgic and poetic tribute to the beauty of the natural world and the spiritual connection that can be found in the Southern landscape.
Line by Line Meaning
Southern nights
The enjoyment and beauty of a night in the South.
have you ever felt a southern night?
Asking if anyone has ever experienced the wonderful warmth of a night in the South.
Free as a breeze
Referring to the carefree feeling one gets as the night's breeze blows over them.
not to mention the trees
The tall trees found in the South that enhance the beauty of the night.
Whistling tunes that you know and love so.
The familiar tunes that capture the essence of Southern culture.
just as good even when closed your eyes.
The enjoyment one gains is so immense that it is felt even when one's eyes are closed.
I apologize to anyone who can truly say
An apology for those who have never experienced a Southern night.
That he has found a better way
That there is no better way to enjoy a night than in the South.
Southern skies
The sky above during a Southern night.
have you ever noticed southern skies?
Asking if anyone has noticed the unique features of the sky above the South during the night.
It's precious beauty lies just beyond the eye.
The beauty of the Southern night's sky is unfathomable.
It goes running through your soul
The view of the night sky is so impactful that it touches one's soul.
Like the stories told of old
Comparing the impact of the night sky to the impact of old stories on one's soul.
Old man
A reference to the wise elders of the South who have seen and experienced the beauty of Southern nights.
he and his dog that walked the old land
An old man and his dog who roam the land at night and take in its beauty.
Ev'ry flower touched his cold hand.
A reference to the old man and his appreciation for the beauty of all flowers he came across.
As he slowly walked by
The serene pace at which the old man and his dog walked.
weeping willows
The hallmark trees of the South, often found bending in the breeze.
Would cry for joy
The impact of the Southern night's beauty is so powerful that the trees themselves seem to cry tears of joy.
Feel so good
The enjoyment of the night is overwhelming in a positive way.
it's frigth'ning.
The extent of enjoyment and beauty is almost overwhelming, in a frightening way.
Wish I could, stop this world from fighting.
A wish to spread the beauty of the Southern night across the world, and eliminate conflict.
La da da da da da la da da da da da
A nonsensical statement, expressing the overwhelming beauty and impact of the Southern night.
Mysteries
The unknown elements that exist all around, particularly in the trees on a Southern night.
like this and many others in the trees
The hidden secrets found in the trees, a metaphor for the secrets of the South as a whole.
Blow in the night
The mysteries of the South roam free and wild on these Southern nights.
they feel so good it's fright'ning
Once again, the overwhelming enjoyment of the Southern night is almost terrifying in its intensity.
da da da da da da da da da da da
A repetition of the nonsensical statement from earlier, emphasizing the impact that the Southern night has.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Allen Toussain
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind