The live version can be heard here Green River (Live 1970)
Green River
Creedence Clearwater Revival Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, let me remember things I love
Stoppin' at the log where catfish bite
Walkin' along the river road at night
Barefoot girls dancin' in the moonlight
I can hear the bullfrog callin' me, oh
Wonder if my rope's still hangin' to the tree
Love to kick my feet way down the shallow water
Shoo fly, dragon fly, get back to your mother
Pick up a flat rock, skip it across Green River
Well
Up at Cody's camp I spent my days, Lord
With flat car riders and cross-tie walkers
Old Cody Junior took me over
Said, "You're gonna find the world is smoldering
And if you get lost, come on home to Green River"
Well
Come on home
The song Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival paints a vivid picture of the singer's desire to return to a specific place where he had fond memories. He yearns to be transported back to this setting where he can bask in the tranquil ambiance and immerse himself in things he loves. He mentions cool water, stopping by the log where catfish bite, and walking along the river road at night. These memories of carefree times spent with friends and loved ones bring the singer comfort, and he reminisces about the barefoot girls dancing in the moonlight. The singer's connection to and love for nature are evident in the lyrics, as he describes the bullfrog calling him and the shallow water where he loves to play.
The second verse reveals that the singer spent time at Cody's camp, a place where he interacted with fellow travelers and was taken in by an older man named Cody Junior. The latter imparted wisdom to the singer, warning him about the dangers of the world and insisting that Green River be considered his home. The singer uses the phrase "smoldering" to refer to the problems and challenges ahead but seems reassured by the thought of returning to Green River as his safe haven.
Overall, Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival is a wistful tribute to a place dear to the singer's heart, a place where he enjoyed the simple things in life, and a place where he found peace.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, take me back down where cool water flows, y'all
Please bring me back to a place with fresh and cool water where I can relax and find joy.
Oh, let me remember things I love
I want to be reminded of all the things that make me happy and bring me peace.
Stoppin' at the log where catfish bite
Pausing at a certain log where catfish are known to bite while fishing.
Walkin' along the river road at night
Taking a leisurely stroll down the river road during the night.
Barefoot girls dancin' in the moonlight
Observing and admiring the beauty of girls dancing in the moonlight without any footwear.
I can hear the bullfrog callin' me, oh
The sound of the bullfrog calling is resonating with me and calling me towards it.
Wonder if my rope's still hangin' to the tree
I am curious if my rope is still hanging from the tree where I left it before.
Love to kick my feet way down the shallow water
It brings me immense joy to play in shallow water and kick my feet around.
Shoo fly, dragon fly, get back to your mother
As I shoo the fly and the dragonfly away, I muse about their journey back to their respective mothers.
Pick up a flat rock, skip it across Green River
Throwing a flat stone over the Green River and watching it skip over the surface of the water.
Up at Cody's camp I spent my days, Lord
Reflecting on the days I spent at Cody's camp.
With flat car riders and cross-tie walkers
I was with people who rode flat cars and walked on the cross-ties of a railroad.
Old Cody Junior took me over
Cody Junior showed me around the place.
Said, "You're gonna find the world is smoldering
Cody Junior warned me that the world is in turmoil and facing numerous troubles.
And if you get lost, come on home to Green River"
He let me know that if I ever felt lost and alone, I could always come back to Green River.
Well
The song concludes here.
Come on home
The singer invites listeners to come and visit Green River and experience the peace and calm that is found there.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: John Cameron Fogerty
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexgrandsroute3940
Well, take me back down
Where cool water flow, yeah
Let me remember things I love
Stopping at the log where catfish bite
Walking along the river road at night
Barefoot girls dancing in the moonlight
I can hear the bullfrog calling me
Wonder if my rope's
Still hanging to the tree
Love to kick my feet
Way down the shallow water
Shoe fly, dragon fly
Get back to your mother
Pick up a flat rock
Skip it across Green River
Well
Up at Cody's camp
I spent my days, oh
With flat car riders
And cross-tie walkers
Old Cody Jr took me over
Said, you're gonna find
The world is smouldering
And if you get lost
Come on home to Green River
Well
Come home
@OverlordAbraxas
My father has died from COVID this night, and this was one of his favorite songs ever...
@kennyhuskisson2684
So sorry to hear that my friend, he's jamming to this in heaven✌️👍
@OverlordAbraxas
@@kennyhuskisson2684 surely he's doing that.
@donaldtrumpsalternateaccou1631
Oh no ):
@mrlemon7436
My prayers go to your family 🙏
@asovietplaytpus5828
RIP
@Olegzyan
You know, fellas, I was born in the USSR. to tell you the truth this band was even bigger than The Beatles in my country!
@davidtrevino5211
They should've been....
@SovietBear4
There was CCR in the USSR???
@Olegzyan
@@SovietBear4 no they didn't come to the USSR! but we used to have some vynil records that we listened to and enjoyed their music very much!