Alabama Rain
Croce Jim Lyrics


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Lazy days in mid July
Country Sunday mornin's
Dusty haze on summer highways
Sweet magnolia callin'

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
That we were walking in
The Alabama rain

Drive in movies, Friday nights
Drinkin' beer and laughin'
Somehow things were always right
I just don't know what happened

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
When we were walking in
The Alabama rain

We were only kids
But then I've never heard it said
That kids can't fall in love
And feel the same
I can still remember the first time
I told you I love you

On a dusty mid July
Country summer's evenin's
Weepin' willows sang its lullaby
And shared our secret

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
That we were walking in
The Alabama rain





Walking in the Alabama rain

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Jim Croce's "Alabama Rain" describe a recollection of times past, specifically those of lazy summer days in Alabama. Croce refers to country Sunday mornings and dusty summer highways on which magnolias bloom. He also recounts memories of drive-in movies on Friday nights and drinking beer with friends, but acknowledges that something has changed as he reflects on these memories. Though things seemed "always right", he states that he "just doesn't know what happened". The song is interwoven with themes of nostalgia and lost youth as Croce expresses a longing for a simpler time that has since passed.


Croce also describes falling in love as a young person in Alabama. He reminisces about being a kid and how, despite this, he fell in love and experienced the same feelings as adults do. He recalls the first time he said "I love you" to his partner, which took place on a mid-July summer evening among weeping willows. This moment, shared under the protection of their secret, is remembered as a precious memory from an innocent time. As with most of Croce's lyricism, his storytelling is grounded in vivid imagery that transports the listener to a different time and place.


Line by Line Meaning

Lazy days in mid July
Days that are unhurried, relaxed and comfortable, usually experienced in the middle of the month of July


Country Sunday mornin's
Sunday mornings characterized by the serenity and peace that comes with living in the countryside


Dusty haze on summer highways
The hot summer air often results in dust-filled highways that can make visibility difficult


Sweet magnolia callin'
The unmistakable smell of the magnolia flowers during summer that serve as a reminder of the beautiful things nature can provide


But now and then I find myself Thinkin' of the days That we were walking in The Alabama rain
The memory of walking in the rain in the beautiful state of Alabama sometimes come to me


Drive in movies, Friday nights Drinkin' beer and laughin' Somehow things were always right I just don't know what happened
Going to drive-in movies on a Friday night, hanging out with friends, having a few drinks and sharing laughter. Everything seemed perfect and right, but something changed along the way.


We were only kids But then I've never heard it said That kids can't fall in love And feel the same
Even though we were young, I don't think age was a barrier to love. Being kids didn't stop us from experiencing the same emotions as adults when we were in love.


I can still remember the first time I told you I love you On a dusty mid July Country summer's evenin's Weepin' willows sang its lullaby And shared our secret
I still vividly recall the day I first declared my love to you. It was in the evening of a dusty summer day in the countryside and the weeping willows surrounding us provided the perfect ambiance to share our secret love.


Walking in the Alabama rain
Taking a stroll in the rain with someone you love and doing it in one of the most wonderful places in America.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: JAMES CROCE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

zeedfighting 8545

Lazy days in mid July
Country Sunday mornin'
Dusty haze on summer highways
Sweet magnolia callin'

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
When we were walkin' in the Alabama Rain

Drive in movies, Friday nights
Drinkin' beer and laughin'
Somehow things were always right
I just don't know what happened

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
When we were walkin' in the Alabama Rain

We were only kids but then
I never heard it said
That kids can't fall in love and feel the same
I can still remember the first time I told you I loved you

On a dusty mid July
Country summer's evenin'
A weepin' willow sang its lullabies
And shared our secrets

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
That we were walkin' in the Alabama Rain

But now and then I find myself
Thinkin' of the days
When we were walkin' in the Alabama Rain
Walkin' in the Alabama Rain



All comments from YouTube:

Sameh Strauch

Such a beautiful song. This guy really knew how to write songs. Wish we had songwriters like him around today in this age of banale, slickly produced garbage.

risumotus

I agree. He is my all time, most favorite singer. I miss him. That's maybe strange, but i feel pian when i think of the fact, he isn't with us anymore. His songs and his lyrics are truly very special.

Ani Corné

Totally agree.

Thomas Timlin

Totally agree...and there are some good singer/songwriters who are melodic and thoughtful today, but they are so damned hard to find.

espacho

One of the best singer/songwriters in history. They don't make em like that anymore.

Ani Corné

Indeed, they don't. I miss him. Sich a loss

Hgncpa

Probably the greatest story teller of all time, with Harry Chapin a very close second. I was a freshman in college when the plane went down in 1973, 3 days from now. RIP Jim, all your fans still love you and your music. Tragically cut short, such a great talent and on his way up.

Sharon Serenades You

Jim Croce was a great storyteller and painter all in one.  He created these images filled with emotion, memories and regrets that we all have.  He was truly an artist!

Robert Rhein

You’re right. His ability to conjure instant regret and nostalgia, even for an experience you never had. Beatiful.

Mark Hill

I often wonder what Jim could have achieved, brilliant muso, great story teller, makes me cry at times.

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