Southern Rain
Billy Ray Cyrus Lyrics


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Times were rough when times were lean
Most the time nobody seemed to care
No more peace than a southern breeze
Whistling through the willow trees
And I see you, standing there
And I reach out to touch your face
But the cold hard facts of life put me in my place
Southern rain fallin' down on me
Thinkin' back to yesterday and the way things used to be
"Sweet Home" on the radio, why do things have to change
Oh Lord, what I would not give to feel that southern rain

Watermelon growin' on the vine
The sweet taste of homemade wine
And the soft touch of your fingertips
Layin' down by the riverside
Do you recall how we used to hide
So I could taste your lips
Though the winds of change took me from home
So many years just passed me by
And now I'm all alone

Southern rain fallin' down on me
Thinkin' back to yesterday and the way things used to be
"Sweet Home" on the radio, why do things have to change
Oh Lord, what I would not give to feel that southern rain

You said that we could last forever
But I had my wild oats yet to sow
Through every storm and each endeavor
The past and the love we found
Just will not let me go

Southern rain fallin' down on me
Thinkin' back to yesterday and the way things used to be




"Sweet Home" on the radio, why do things have to change
Oh Lord, what I would not give to feel that southern rain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Billy Ray Cyrus's song Southern Rain are a reminiscence of a simpler time in life. The song portrays a sense of nostalgia coupled with a longing for a past that can never be experienced again. The opening lines are a description of the rough times, where life was tough and nobody seemed to care. The singer then speaks of his desire to touch the face of someone that he sees, who is not there, which indicates a feeling of loneliness, and introspection. The line "But the cold hard facts of life put me in my place" shows that the singer has come to terms with the changes that have happened in his life.


The song portrays how music, specifically the song "Sweet Home" on the radio, plays a big part in making us nostalgic. The singer shares his fond memories of watermelon growing on the vine, homemade wine, and touching fingertips with someone special. He reminisces about lying down by the riverside and tasting the lips of the one he loves. However, the winds of change took him far away from home, and now he is all alone. Finally, the singer expresses his desire to feel that southern rain again.


Overall, Billy Ray Cyrus's Southern Rain is a song that speaks to the longing that people feel for the past. The references to music, food, and love describe the simplicity of life and the memories that have left a deep imprint on the singer.


Line by Line Meaning

Times were rough when times were lean
Life was tough when we didn't have much


Most the time nobody seemed to care
No one seemed to pay attention or care about our struggles


No more peace than a southern breeze
Only the gentle breeze of the south brings me any peace


Whistling through the willow trees
The wind blowing through the trees makes a sound like someone whistling


And I see you, standing there
I picture you in my mind, standing in front of me


And I reach out to touch your face
I long to touch your face with my hand


But the cold hard facts of life put me in my place
Reality reminds me that my desires may not come true


Southern rain fallin' down on me
Rain from the south is falling on me


Thinkin' back to yesterday and the way things used to be
Reflecting on the past and how things were better then


"Sweet Home" on the radio, why do things have to change
Hearing the song "Sweet Home" makes me wonder why things can't stay the same


Oh Lord, what I would not give to feel that southern rain
I am willing to do almost anything to experience that rain and the memories it brings


Watermelon growin' on the vine
Watermelons are growing on the vine


The sweet taste of homemade wine
I remember the delicious taste of wine we made ourselves


And the soft touch of your fingertips
I remember your gentle touch on my skin


Layin' down by the riverside
We used to lay down by the river


Do you recall how we used to hide
Do you remember how we used to hide so we could be alone?


So I could taste your lips
I wanted to kiss you without anyone else around


Though the winds of change took me from home
I left my home because of changes in my life


So many years just passed me by
Years have gone by so quickly


And now I'm all alone
I am by myself now


You said that we could last forever
You thought our love would always endure


But I had my wild oats yet to sow
I wasn't ready to settle down yet and wanted to try new things


Through every storm and each endeavor
Despite all the struggles and challenges we faced


The past and the love we found
The memories of our past and the love we shared


Just will not let me go
I can't let go of those memories and that love




Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS

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