Four Country Roads
Big Tom Lyrics


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Four country roads
Winding to a town in County Galway
Four country roads
Leading to the friends I left behind
Four dusty roads
Winding to the town of Glenamaddy
Four dusty roads
Forever in the caverns of my mind
Once in a while
I hear the sound of music in the winter night
I see now and then
The trees where we sheltered from the rain
And once in a while
I see us walking home in the morning light
And oft are the times
I long to see my home town once again
Four roads from Glenamaddy
Four roads that drift apart
Four roads to Glenamaddy
Are the four dusty byways to my heart
One country road
Led me to the schoolhouse by the meadow
And one country road
To the churchyard where my Mum and Daddy lie
One dusty road
Where I strolled with a loved one in the shadows
And one dusty road
That led me on my journey far away
Four roads from Glenamaddy
Four roads that drift apart
Four roads to Glenamaddy
Are the four dusty byways to my heart
Four roads from Glenamaddy
Four roads that drift apart
Four roads to Glenamaddy




Are the four dusty byways to my heart
The four country highways to my heart

Overall Meaning

The song Four Country Roads by Irish country singer Big Tom tells the story of a person who has left their hometown of Glenamaddy in County Galway, Ireland, and has since been reminiscing about the four country roads that lead into and out of the town. The song reflects on the memories of the friends left behind on those dusty roads and the feelings of nostalgia for the town that once was home. The song's emotional lyrics touch on the themes of homesickness, longing, and remembrance.


The song is a poignant reminder of the simplicity of life, the importance of friendships and family bonds, and the immensity of memories that we carry throughout our lives. Big Tom's vocal delivery is earnest and evocative, and the use of traditional country instruments like the guitar and fiddle adds to the heartfelt quality of the song. The quiet and understated arrangement of the song makes it all the more powerful, with the lyrics taking center stage throughout.


Line by Line Meaning

Four country roads
There are four different paths that I have taken throughout my life.


Winding to a town in County Galway
Each of these paths leads to a small town in County Galway.


Leading to the friends I left behind
These paths are a reminder of the people I used to know and the friendships I made along the way.


Four dusty roads
These paths have been traveled many times and have become dusty over time.


Forever in the caverns of my mind
These paths will always be remembered and cherished in my thoughts and memories.


Once in a while
From time to time, I am reminded of the experiences and moments that occurred on these paths.


I hear the sound of music in the winter night
The sounds of the past echo throughout my mind, reminding me of the joy and happiness I felt on these paths.


I see now and then
Occasionally, I catch glimpses of the sights and landmarks that I encountered throughout my journey.


The trees where we sheltered from the rain
These paths were sometimes treacherous, and I found myself seeking shelter and comfort from the elements.


And oft are the times
Frequently, I yearn to return to these paths and relive my memories.


I long to see my home town once again
I have a strong desire to return to my hometown, where these paths originated.


One country road
There is one path that stands out in my mind as particularly meaningful.


Led me to the schoolhouse by the meadow
This path led me to a schoolhouse that was surrounded by a beautiful meadow.


To the churchyard where my Mum and Daddy lie
This path took me to a peaceful churchyard where my parents are buried.


Where I strolled with a loved one in the shadows
I have fond memories of walking down this path with someone special, escaping into the shadows and away from the world.


That led me on my journey far away
This particular path took me on a journey that led me far away from my hometown and on to new experiences.


Four roads from Glenamaddy
There are four different paths originating from the small town of Glenamaddy.


Four roads that drift apart
Over time, these paths have separated and led me in different directions.


Four roads to Glenamaddy
Each of these paths leads back to my hometown of Glenamaddy.


Are the four dusty byways to my heart
These paths hold a special place in my heart, and will continue to do so no matter how time passes or how far I travel.




Writer(s): John Mccauley

Contributed by Nora L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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