Gentle on My Mind
Dean Martin Lyrics
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That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it's knowing I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried up on some line
That keeps you in the back roads by the rivers of my memory
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy planted on their columns now that binds me
Or something that somebody said because they thought we fit together walking
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving when I walk along some railroad track by the rivers of my memory
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
Well I dip my cup of soup back from the gurgling crackling caldron in some train yard
My beard a roughening coal pile and a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Cupped hands 'round a tin can
I pretend I hold you to my breast and find that you're waving from the back roads by the river of my memory
Ever smiling ever gentle on my mind
The lyrics of Dean Martin's song "Gentle on My Mind" tell a story of a person who finds solace in the memory of a lover who is always in his/her mind even though they are far away. The opening lines describe the comfort the person feels in knowing that the door of their lover is always open, and that their path is free to walk. This makes the person tend to leave their sleeping bag with their lover and feel unshackled by forgotten words and bonds. The memory of their lover keeps them on the back roads by the rivers of their memory and ever gentle on their mind.
The second stanza talks about the person's perspective on relationships, their connection with their lover being more than a physical or mental bond. It's not clinging to the rocks and the ivy that bind them, rather it’s knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving them when they walk along the railroad tracks by the rivers of their memory. The memory of their lover is just gentle on their mind.
The final stanza is bittersweet, describing the person eating alone in a train yard, imagining holding their lover close to their chest. They find their lover waving from the back roads by the river of their memory, ever smiling and ever gentle on their mind.
Line by Line Meaning
It's knowing that your door is always open and your path is free to walk
I feel free and welcome to come to you anytime because you have a kind heart and open door policy.
That makes me tend to leave my sleeping bag rolled up and stashed behind your couch
Because you are always there for me, I don't hesitate to leave behind my sleeping bag and other luggage at your place.
And it's knowing I'm not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
I'm not held back by any forgotten promises or past commitments with anybody else.
And the ink stains that have dried up on some line
I don't feel trapped by any written agreements or contracts from the past.
That keeps you in the back roads by the rivers of my memory
Your presence remains strong in my memories of peaceful and serene places such as back roads and rivers.
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
Your memory is a soothing and calming influence on me, reminding me of your kindness and warmth.
It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy planted on their columns now that binds me
I'm not tied to any material possessions or physical symbols of the past.
Or something that somebody said because they thought we fit together walking
I'm not influenced by other people's opinions or expectations of our relationship.
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving when I walk along some railroad track by the rivers of my memory
When I wander down memory lane by myself, I'm aware that the rest of the world will not judge or critique my thoughts or feelings.
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind
For hours or even days, your kind presence and memory provide me solace and peace of mind.
Well I dip my cup of soup back from the gurgling crackling cauldron in some train yard
I picture myself getting a meal from a noisy train yard and feeling a sense of comfort and nourishment.
My beard a roughening coal pile and a dirty hat pulled low across my face
I may look rough and unpolished, but my rough exterior does not reflect my inner thoughts and feelings.
Cupped hands 'round a tin can
I hold a tin can with cupped hands, feeling grateful for the small things in life.
I pretend I hold you to my breast and find that you're waving from the back roads by the river of my memory
In my imagination, I hold you close and hear your voice saying hello from my happy memories of back roads and rivers.
Ever smiling ever gentle on my mind
You are always present with a calm and kind demeanor, influencing my thoughts and emotions in a positive way.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Hartford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Mr.red1973
This song was my father's favourite song. After he passed away I found it hard to listen to this song without it choking me but time is a great healer and now I can listen to this beautiful song and it always makes me smile with the fond memories of my dad singing this song in the bathroom first thing in the morning. Miss you dad. X
@robbertuittenbosch7030
me too
@alanjohnston3571
Your dad must have been class
@malcolmstirling9521
Nice comment 👍
@petecernan2568
Same here you dad had it on single not sure what year late sixties maybe I was born in 64 but remember it well took a few years before I could listen to certain songs
@prodbytrendyy8309
Hope your okay and wish the best 💫
@stacywalters6574
Takes me right back to going on holiday with my family and it would be Dad's turn to put his music on. Happy precious memories. Miss you every day Dad 💙
@user-bb7vj2df4p
Sweet old memories!!
@JosephGreen-yj1zv
Dad had bangers ❤
@parmyster
What a voice Dean Martin had its a voice that only comes along once in a lifetime glad I was around to hear it