Indiana
Count Basie & Lester Young Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And it seems that I can see
The gleamin' candlelight,
Still shinin' bright,
Through the sycamores for me.
The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
Then I long for my Indiana home.
Oh, I have always been a wanderer
Over land and sea,
Yet a moonbeam on the water
Casts a spell o'er me;
A vision fair I see,
Again I long to be;
Back home again in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleamin' candlelight,
Still shinin' bright,
Through the sycamores for me.
The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
Then I long for my Indiana home,
Indiana home.
The lyrics to Count Basie & Lester Young's song "Indiana" are a tribute to the nostalgia and longing that comes with being away from home. The first verse describes the feeling of returning to Indiana, where the singer can see the flickering candlelights shining through the sycamores, almost as if beckoning them home. The second verse continues this theme of nostalgia, with the singer reminiscing about the fragrant fields of new mown hay and the moonlight on the Wabash River. Despite being a wanderer who has traveled across land and sea, the beauty of Indiana still calls to them, casting a spell that they cannot resist. The chorus repeats the opening lines, emphasizing the idea that Indiana will always be the place that the singer calls home, no matter where their travels may take them.
Line by Line Meaning
Back home again in Indiana,
Returning to my home state of Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
I can vividly visualize my surroundings
The gleamin' candlelight,
The flickering light of candles illuminating
Still shinin' bright,
Remaining vibrant and lively
Through the sycamores for me.
Visible from the sycamore trees around me
The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
The freshly cut hay releases its fragrant aroma
From the fields I used to roam.
From the fields I would wander in the past.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
When I imagine the moon casting its light on the Wabash River,
Then I long for my Indiana home.
I yearn for the comfort of my home state Indiana.
Oh, I have always been a wanderer
Throughout my life, I have been a traveler
Over land and sea,
Traveling on both land and water
Yet a moonbeam on the water
However, a single moonbeam reflecting on the water
Casts a spell o'er me;
Has a mesmerizing effect on me
A vision fair I see,
I see a beautiful vision,
Again I long to be;
Making me long to return back home.
Indiana home.
I long to return to my Indiana home.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: MCDONALD HANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@lo-fitronics
Freddie Green!!!
best rhythm guitar of all times!
Also great to hear the bones of Donna lee ~ ~ ~
@nurimajeed8595
Steady Freddie
@flat5flat9flat13
His time! and phrasing. Of course with other qualities he had adds up to one VERY special player.
@lastknowngood0
Pres10 years with The Basie Band along with Bird were a Fantastic Gift from Kansas City! Basie, oh, he was from Red Bank New Jersey, a kid! Lol oh and reportedly Freddie was the only band member who got to score with Lady Day. Talk about bragging rights! Yowsah!
@MARKMANIATT
Brilliant Pres.Rhythm section from heaven!!
@pchsmith2002
Basie & Lester - what a combo! Less is more!
@RMOEBIUSR
Great! I love "Tea For Two" too!
@pyannaguy
Lester Young was a giant among the cats who invented the modern Tenor Sax, but it's hard to discuss those guys without respect for the name Coleman Hawkins. I don't want to get into that sophomoric spiral about who's "better" than who - they're like diamonds, emeralds, rubies, etc.
@MyNameJim
Lester better
@kmc56
Prez was the first modern and in turn influenced Charlie Christian and Charlie Parker who were elemental in the development of Modern Jazz. He's my "desert isle" choice.