Home Lovin' Man
Andy Williams Lyrics


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The harbor lights were shining
The moon was in its high
The captain said, thank God we're home!
We've drunk the barrels dry
The mizzen mast was shaken
And the lanterns all burned low
I'd never thought we'd make it
But we've twenty leagues to go
So blow you southern trades
And guide me safely to the shore
I'm never ever gonna sail
The seven seas no more

I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true
I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you
I know I'm gonna miss the wind in my eyes
The shimmer of light when the seagull flies
Although I've traveled far
I'm a home lovin' man
And home is where you are

The crowd upon the quayside
Their faces long and drawn
Are suddenly awakened
As we sail in on the dawn
The wives, the sons, the lovers
Who never gave up hope
All breathe a sigh together
As they reach to catch the rope

God bless you, southern trades
You got me safely back this time
Oh, you'll never have the need again
To save this soul of mine

I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true
I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you
I know I'm gonna miss the wind in my eyes
The shimmer of light when the seagull flies
Although I've traveled far
I'm a home lovin' man
And home is where you are

Yes, I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
The roll of the tides and the salt in the air
Deep inside it's true




I'm a home lovin' man
Comin' on home to you

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Andy Williams's song Home Lovin' Man tell the story of a sailor who is returning home after a long journey at sea. He is grateful to have made it safely back to land, with the harbor lights shining and the moon high in the sky. The sailor reflects on the experiences he had while at sea, including the feeling of the wind in his hair and the salt in the air. However, he knows that deep down he is a home-loving man and is looking forward to coming home to his loved ones.


The sailor describes the scene as the ship sails into port, with the faces of the crowd on the quayside suddenly awakening and coming to life. The wives, sons, and lovers of the sailors who have been waiting anxiously for their return are overjoyed and reach to catch the rope as the ship comes in. The sailor acknowledges the role that the southern trades played in guiding him safely back home, but says that he has no intention of sailing the seven seas again. For him, home is where he belongs and where he is most content.


Overall, the lyrics of Home Lovin' Man are a tribute to the love that a person feels for their home and the people they love. The sailor's journey at sea has given him a sense of adventure and excitement, but ultimately, he knows where his heart truly lies.


Line by Line Meaning

The harbor lights were shining
The bright lights of the harbor signaled the end of a long journey.


The moon was in its high
The full moon illuminated the night sky.


The captain said, thank God we're home!
The captain expressed relief at finally reaching their destination.


We've drunk the barrels dry
The crew had consumed all of their provisions during the voyage.


The mizzen mast was shaken
The mast at the rear of the ship was visibly affected by the voyage.


And the lanterns all burned low
The lamps on the ship were running out of fuel.


I'd never thought we'd make it
The voyage was so arduous that the singer doubted they would ever reach their destination.


But we've twenty leagues to go
Despite having completed most of the journey, there was still a significant distance left to travel.


So blow you southern trades
The artist was addressing the wind patterns in the southern hemisphere.


And guide me safely to the shore
The artist requested safe passage until they reached land.


I'm never ever gonna sail
The singer had resolved to never embark on such a difficult journey again.


The seven seas no more
The artist would not willingly subject themselves to such hardship by sailing across all seven seas.


I know I'm gonna miss the sand in my hair
Despite the difficulties of the journey, the singer could appreciate the pleasant elements of being at sea.


The roll of the tide and the salt in the air
The natural rhythms of the ocean and unique environment associated with it were appreciated by the singer.


Deep inside it's true
The singer believed in their personal attachment to their home and family.


I'm a home lovin' man
The artist was someone who found great value in being at home with their loved ones.


Comin' on home to you
The artist looked forward to returning to their home and family.


The crowd upon the quayside
The people waiting for the ship to return were gathered on the shore.


Their faces long and drawn
The onlookers were anxious and possibly fatigued after waiting so long for the ship to arrive.


Are suddenly awakened
The people on shore were suddenly energized and alert upon seeing the ship's approach.


As we sail in on the dawn
The ship arrived just as the sun was rising in the morning.


The wives, the sons, the lovers
The people waiting for the ship to return were family members and romantic partners of the crew.


Who never gave up hope
The people on shore had maintained optimism for the safe return of their loved ones despite the difficult and lengthy journey.


All breathe a sigh together
Upon the ship's return, everyone on shore released a collective breath of relief and happiness.


As they reach to catch the rope
The people on shore assisted in securing the ship to the dock as it arrived.


God bless you, southern trades
The singer expressed gratitude for the wind patterns that had safely brought them home from the southern hemisphere.


You got me safely back this time
The singer attributed the safe return to the favorable wind conditions.


Oh, you'll never have the need again
The artist believed they would never need to face such perilous conditions again thanks to having completed the voyage.


To save this soul of mine
The artist had faced danger and risk of injury or death during the voyage, but ultimately returned safely.


Although I've traveled far
Despite having been to distant lands and experienced much, the singer remained committed to their home life.


And the shimmer of light when the seagull flies
The singer found beauty in the natural sights they had seen while traveling by sea.


And home is where you are
To the artist, being with their loved ones was what made a place feel like home.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ROGER FREDERICK COOK, ROGER JOHN REGINALD GREENAWAY, TONY MACAULAY

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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