His most famous work is Alice's Restaurant, a talking blues song that lasts eighteen minutes and twenty seconds (in its original recorded version; Guthrie has been known to spin the story out to forty-five minutes in concert). The song, a bitingly satirical protest against the Vietnam War draft, is based on a true incident. In the song, Guthrie was called up for a draft examination, and rejected as unfit for military service as a result of a criminal record consisting in its entirety of a single arrest, court appearance, fine and clean-up order for littering. In reality, Guthrie, though a carrier of the genetically inherited disease Huntington's chorea, was classified as fit (1A); however, his draft-lottery number did not come up.
Here We Are/Way Out in the Country
Arlo Guthrie Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Here I am
Won't you take me in your arms tonight
And there you are
Looking like the stars are in your eyes
Here we go
You know it's been so long since we were lovers
If I felt this way since then and baby why
Why we said good-bye
Why we sat and cried
Why we ever let this happen to us
I don't care
Where you've been, I've been there too
You know that
You and me
We had some growing on our own to do now
Let's get on
You know the time's a-wasting
Morning's breaking
Here we are
Looking like we used to be and baby why
Why we said good-bye
Why we sat and cried
Why we ever let this happen to us
There's a bird flying high
Way up in the air
And I am sitting here with you at my side
Way out in the country
There's a lot of real big trees
Rolling gently on the breeze
And I am playing with the bumble bees
Out in the country
Puffy clouds are in the air
If it rains well we won't care
'Cause you look good in your underwear
Way out in the country
Here I am
Let me take you in my arms and hold you
Once again
It feels like we are coming home and well
Remember when
We were young and so in love together
Here we are
Happy like we used to be, and baby why
Why we said good-bye
Why we stood and cried
Why we ever let this this happen to us
You know the time is at an end
And you and I can just be friends
And if we let this moment pass
I think we both know it won't come again
Arlo Guthrie’s song “Here We Are/Way Out in the Country” is a romantic ballad that describes a reconnection between former lovers. The beginning of the song describes the two lovers in the present moment, yearning to be physically close once again. The lyrics express regret and confusion about why they had to part ways in the first place, yet the chorus reconciles the past and the present, and they are grateful for having found their way back to one another.
The second half of the song is a picturesque scene of two lovers sitting in the countryside, surrounded by trees and nature, and enjoying each other’s company. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the tranquility of nature, gently flowing clouds, and peaceful bumblebees. The song ends with a sense of fulfillment and comfort, as the lovers acknowledge that this reunion might be their last, but they are content and grateful for this moment.
The song evokes a feeling of nostalgia and reconciliation, a sense of two old souls reuniting after undergoing significant personal growth. Despite the lack of specific details within the song, one can interpret this as a song about a couple who had to separate and develop themselves as individuals before they could find solace in each other once again.
Line by Line Meaning
Here I am
I am ready to reconnect with you.
Won't you take me in your arms tonight
Let's hug each other and feel the warmth of our love.
And there you are
I see you looking so beautiful.
Looking like the stars are in your eyes
You're glowing with happiness and passion.
Here we go
We're ready to start anew.
You know it's been so long since we were lovers
It's been a while since we shared romantic moments together.
I don't know
I'm uncertain if I've felt this way since then.
If I felt this way since then and baby why
If I did feel this way, why did we break up?
Why we said good-bye
Why did we end our relationship?
Why we sat and cried
Why did we shed tears of sadness?
Why we ever let this happen to us
Why did we let our love fade away?
I don't care
It doesn't matter to me.
Where you've been, I've been there too
I understand your struggles and experiences.
You and me
We have a special connection that can't be forgotten.
We had some growing on our own to do now
We needed to develop our personal identities before reconciling.
Let's get on
Let's move forward.
You know the time's a-wasting
We don't have much time to be apart.
Morning's breaking
A new day is dawning.
There's a bird flying high
Nature surrounds us.
Way up in the air
The bird is soaring above us.
And I am sitting here with you at my side
We are spending a peaceful moment together.
Way out in the country
We are far away from our busy lives in the city.
There's a lot of real big trees
The scenery is breathtaking.
Rolling gently on the breeze
The trees sway calmly in the wind.
And I am playing with the bumble bees
I am enjoying the simple pleasures of life.
Puffy clouds are in the air
The sky is a beautiful sight.
If it rains well we won't care
Our happiness won't be ruined by a little rain.
'Cause you look good in your underwear
We feel comfortable and relaxed around each other.
Let me take you in my arms and hold you
I want to show you my love and affection.
Once again
We're back together after some time apart.
It feels like we are coming home and well
Our love feels like it's right where it belongs.
Remember when
Let's cherish our memories together.
We were young and so in love together
Our love was pure and strong in our youth.
Happy like we used to be, and baby why
We are just as happy as we were before we broke up.
Why we said good-bye
Why did we ever think it was best to part ways?
Why we stood and cried
Why did we let our emotions get the best of us?
Why we ever let this happen to us
Why did we let our love fade away instead of fighting for it?
You know the time is at an end
Our time apart has come to a close.
And you and I can just be friends
If our romance doesn't work out, we can still be close.
And if we let this moment pass
If we don't seize the opportunity to rekindle our love now,
I think we both know it won't come again
We may not get another chance to reunite in the future.
Contributed by Isabelle J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Lynda Faye
SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Lynda Faye
SAD AND Memorable; makes it tolerable, yes ?
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Clay Marston
LYRICS- THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS -
-Riding on the City of New Orleans
Illinois Central Monday morning rail
Fifteen cars and fifteen restless riders
Three conductors and twenty-five sacks of mail
All along the southbound odyssey
The train pulls out at Kankakee
Rolls along past houses, farms and fields
Passin' trains that have no name
Freight yards full of old black men
And the graveyards of the rusted automobiles
Good morning America how are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Dealin' card games with the old men in the club car
Penny a point ain't no one keepin' score
Pass the paper bag that holds the bottle
Feel the wheels rumblin' 'neath the floor
And the sons of pullman porters
And the sons of engineers
Ride their father's magic carpets made of steel
Mothers with their babes asleep
Are rockin' to the gentle beat
And the rhythm of the rails is all they feel
Good morning America how are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Nighttime on the City of New Orleans
Changing cars in Memphis, Tennessee
Half way home, we'll be there by morning
Through the Mississippi darkness
Rolling down to the sea
But all the towns and people seem
To fade into a bad dream
And the steel rail still ain't heard the news
The conductor sings his songs again
The passengers will please refrain
This train got the disappearing railroad blues
Good night, America, how are you?
Say, don't you know me? I'm your native son
I'm the train they call the City of New Orleans
I'll be gone five hundred miles when the day is done
Lynda Faye
@ShelleyVideo SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
Lynda Faye
@James Cole AKA Eric Underwood SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
James Cole AKA Eric Underwood
@Lynda Faye
Hey! Sounds like a fun play you're putting together!
Long Island huh! What part of California did you end up in?
Hopefully Southern California Beaches.... that's where we hung out alot... Huntington beach pier and Newport CA not RI...
I worked out at Dulles airport in 95 I drove Hwy 50 just to see how lonely it really is...I don't remember seeing another car the whole time from Nevada till I got to Salt Lake ... coming down our of the Nevada Mountains you get a sense of loneliness when you see that long stretch of road in front of you ..then it hits you when you're down in the valley driving...ya know what happened just then....a lone Bald Eagle flew over the cab of my F-250 truck and I pulled over ( Because I have a thing for Eagles!) I walked back the way the Eagle flew and I came across a barbed wire the upon a little hill when I got to the fence I was taken aback because there was this huge lake that I couldn't see from the highway with what I thought was a light dusting of snow ...so I walked down towards the water and came to a stop ... because I got that feeling I was being WATCHED it was very strong....so I panned slowly to my left first....HOLY SHIT! THERE WAS ABOUT 50 BALD EAGLES STANDING IN THE SHALLOWS STARING AT ME!
so I slowly pan to my right...
HOLY SHIT! ABOUT 50 MORE ALL STARING AT ME!
it wasn't snow ...it was Bald Eagles! I stood in pure awe for a time then bowed and went on my way!
I have to disagree with you on the Art/Music song thing...
" The Mona Lisa" I'm an artist and my medium is Terrazzo and terrazzo has been around for centuries....Oh I went to Downey High school with James Hetfield of Metallica....
He used to walk around Downey High with his head bobbing up and down playing music as he walked!
🤷✌️🙋❤️🇺🇸
Eric Underwood Class of 81 Downey High school CA ✌️
Lynda Faye
What a beautiful recollection; possibly some luck, too , yes ?
SOME things in life should not be ALLOWED to become obsolete !
May, 2023; Many of us are coming back to LISTEN to that 'song that never dies!" Having been born in the city of Rock Island, when we used to sing this song, we'd substitute the city "Ke-Wan-ee" for Kankakee ha ha. We rode the Burlington back then, and had to drive to Galesburg to get it, to travel to California. Surely we, myself and some of my classmates from Moline High School sang this for hours, as one of our hootenanny favorites. (Jim Anderson? Where are you now ?) And Jack Petit, our class president DROVE us to Galesburg! Yes, the Rock Island Lines were a pretty good line , too! My grandfather was an engineer , I think on the Rock Island Lines---He' drove it from a little town titled " Barstow/or Joslin" guess they re-named it Like to know from an commenters, if they'd ever heard of that little country town, near Geneseo?
I used to have a "continual debate" with my college roommate who was a artist; The question, " Which lasts longer, a painting, or a song.?" I'm not sure to this day, who actually won the debate...but as we see painters and song-writers disappear, I think we have to admit, it' s THE SONG THAT LIVES ON.
We were trying to assemble a children's musical, wherein the main character, who jumps up on stage to play her little cello with "The First Four Presidents", and one of us gave dialogue to the little player; she says to Thomas Jefferson "I Can't play this music-it's too old!" Jefferson and Washington laugh at her and shout "Honey...music doesn't grow OLD! People do!
(Yes, it's a comedy!) but that line reminds me so much of THIS SONG!
RIP Arlo Guthrie-and Steve Goodman, and so many others!
Thank you so much for TRUTH in SONG!
LyndaFaye
"The Mississippi Valley Lady" the song and the musical.
"Friends, Love Songs and Hearthaches@Bandcamp.
LyndaFayeSmusic@Yahoo.
sanford engel
This song always literally brings me to tears. It's a reminder of simple, beautiful times in our wonderful country that has sadly been divided by hatred and violence. So sad, but we're still the best country on the planet. Hope we can achieve peace and love again.
George M
Sanford, this is a song which does remind us of simpler and happier times in this country - and I, too, hold out for the forces of peace and love to prevail, my friend.
GI Zhou
Jim Crow.
antony r
im coming from UK next spring and gonna ride this train from Memphis to New Orleans..your still a great country
Lynda ONeill
What a lovely song.Never heard it before, great words.🏴♥️
Robby Lock
It was my honor to have met Steve Goodman, the man who wrote this song. His passing from leukemia in 1984 silenced a wonderful voice, a talented song writer and great human. My thanks to Arlo Guthrie for bringing Steve's song to a wider audience.
ShelleyVideo
Goodman was a musical genius!
Chaplain Matt Sanders
Special memory. Thnx for that.
Linda Boyer
Wonderful song! Such a loss of a talented man. Thank you Arlo for such a beautiful rendition.
ShelleyVideo
@Linda Boyer Arlo Guthrie is not dead.