Detroit City
Bobby Bare Lyrics
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I dreamed about them cotton fields of home
I dreamed about my mother, dear old pappy, sister and brother
And I dreamed about the girl who's been waitin' for so long
I want to go home
I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home
Home folks think I'm big in Detroit City
From the letters that I write they think I'm just fine, yes they do
But by day I make the cars and by night I make the bars
If only they could read between the lines
‘cause you know I rode a freight train north to Detroit City
And after all these years I find I've just been wastin' my time
You know what I'm gonna do?
I'm gonna take my foolish pride
Get it on a southbound freight and let it ride
I'm gonna go back to the loved ones
The ones I left waiting so far behind
I want to go home, yeah
I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home (Can't you hear me?)
I want to go home
Whoa, baby I want to go home
Oh, how I want to go home (Somebody help me)
I want to go home, yeah
I want to go home, whoa oh
Oh, how I want to go home
Hmm, I want to go home...
In Bobby Bare's song Detroit City, the singer is a factory worker who moved to Detroit from the south. He dreams about his hometown, including his family and a girl he left behind. Despite what he writes in his letters, his job is not as glamorous as his family thinks; he works long hours making cars during the day and spends his nights at bars. He reflects on his journey to Detroit, saying he rode a freight train and "wasted" years of his life. In the end, he decides to return home to his loved ones, leaving his pride behind and taking a southbound freight train.
The song reflects the struggles of working-class people who migrate from rural areas to urban industrial centers in the pursuit of a better life. It also examines the tension between wanting to follow one's dreams and ambition and the longing for home and connection to loved ones. The refrain "I want to go home" underscores this tension throughout the song.
Bobby Bare recorded Detroit City in 1963, and it became a hit, reaching number six on the US country charts and earning Bare a Grammy for Best Country & Western Recording. In addition to Bare's original recording, the song has been covered by numerous artists, including Tom Jones, Emmylou Harris, and Dolly Parton.
Line by Line Meaning
Last night I went to sleep in Detroit City
I was physically in Detroit, but my mind was far away
I dreamed about them cotton fields of home
I missed my hometown and the memories associated with it
I dreamed about my mother, dear old pappy, sister and brother
I missed my family and the loved ones who were far away from me
And I dreamed about the girl who's been waitin' for so long
I longed to be reunited with my beloved who has been waiting for me
Home folks think I'm big in Detroit City
My family and friends back home think I'm doing well in Detroit
From the letters that I write they think I'm just fine, yes they do
I painted a positive picture of my life in Detroit in my letters to them
But by day I make the cars and by night I make the bars
I work in a factory during the day and spend my nights in bars
If only they could read between the lines
If only my family could see the reality of my life in Detroit
‘cause you know I rode a freight train north to Detroit City
I took a risky journey to come to Detroit in search of a better life
And after all these years I find I've just been wastin' my time
Despite my efforts, I realize that I haven't found the success I was seeking in Detroit
You know what I'm gonna do?
I have come to a decision
I'm gonna take my foolish pride
I will let go of my ego and make a change in my life
Get it on a southbound freight and let it ride
I will leave Detroit and head south towards my hometown
I'm gonna go back to the loved ones
I will return to the people who truly matter to me
The ones I left waiting so far behind
I left them behind for my pursuit of success in Detroit, but now realize my mistake
I want to go home, yeah
My desire to return home is strong
I want to go home, whoa oh
I am desperate to be back with my loved ones
Oh, how I want to go home
My longing for my hometown and family is intense
Hmm, I want to go home...
I am fixated on the idea of going back home
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DANNY DILL, MEL TILLIS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheChitown5
Song got a lot of airplay when it came out on Chicago pop radio around 1963. Meant a lot to me growing up. Great arrangement and guitar. Heartfelt and soulful singing. Classic. Had relatives and family in the service that related to it.
@johnfuchs4635
We Vietnam vets love this song
@slowpenguin1
And we love you vets.
Thank you and God bless you.
@robyncurtis8542
This takes me back 25 years to the night my Viet Vet husband died - we played it for him in the hours before he died. It touches me just as much now as it did that night. 🙏🏼🙏🏼
@deanhall4002
My grandpa was a Vietnam vet. He also loved this song.
@tomikles5231
Yes, just brought up at my dad (2 bronze star and other metaled vet) funeral.
@DirkDigler13
Welcome Home, Johnny
@reddog76
I met Bobby Bare twice, he performed in a nearby city. I played in the house band at a club and we backed him. Very nice man.
@whitecrow7147
TO MY DEAREST MOTHER WHO I MISS SO MUCH MAY SHE REST IN PEACE
@BigDHarlem
I know the feeling. #NowPlaying (Apr 9, 2018) in memory of your mother and my mother.
May they both continue to Rest In Peace. 🕊🕊