Greensky Bluegrass is a five-piece American bluegrass/rock band founded in … Read Full Bio ↴Greensky Bluegrass is a five-piece American bluegrass/rock band founded in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in mid-2000. The band has evolved over the years, growing from 3 to 5 members and describe their sound as "their own version of bluegrass music, mixing the acoustic stomp of a string band with the rule-breaking spirit of rock & roll".

The band was formed in the fall of 2000 by Michael Arlen Bont (banjo), Dave Bruzza (guitar), and Paul Hoffman (mandolin), who initially played together at an open mic night. As newcomers to the bluegrass scene, the three drew upon an array of influences and varied musical backgrounds, reflected in their May 2004 release of Less than Supper.

In the summer of 2006 the band were winners of the Telluride Bluegrass Festival Band Competition, earning them a spot on the main stage of the 2007 festival. Soon thereafter they released their second studio album, Tuesday Letter.

In September 2016, Greensky Bluegrass released their album Shouted, Written Down & Quoted. All For Money was released in 2019.

Old Barns
Greensky Bluegrass Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can remember 2.06 a gallon
Still I can't recall how fast I was driving
Didn't wake up feeling scared
'Cause you're the one I love, and you were standing there

Can't touch my heart, it's not my time
Bust my bones and throw my body on the line
I've got love to fill me in

I've got family to help me re-begin

Old barns don't tear down
Let 'em stand proud until they fall to the ground

Its a strange feeling to wake up to meet my saviors
And this whole bizarre ballet that I lived through
But I'm not living on a loan
These wounds are mine to set me free

Old barns don't tear down
Let 'em stand proud until they fall to the ground

I feel like every man should know what I know
This boy I've raised will take care of things when I go
And I'm not looking on scared
'Cause you're the one I love, and you're standing there

Old barns don't tear down
Let 'em stand proud until they fall to the ground

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Greensky Bluegrass's song Old Barns can be interpreted as a reflection on the passing of time and the importance of finding love and family to see us through life's uncertainties. The opening lines, "I can remember 2.06 a gallon, still I can't recall how fast I was driving" suggest a sense of nostalgia for a time in the past when gas prices were lower but also a recognition that time moves on and details blur. Despite the passage of time and the changing world around us, the singer finds comfort in the presence of their loved one, who is "standing there."

The lines, "Can't touch my heart, it's not my time, bust my bones and throw my body on the line" evoke a sense of resilience and determination to keep moving forward in the face of adversity. The singer has a sense of purpose that is not easily shaken, and they find solace in the love of their family and the memories of the old barns that stand proud until they fall to the ground. The idea of the old barns as a metaphor for resilience and pride underscores the singer's determination to stand firm in the face of life's challenges.

Overall, Greensky Bluegrass's song Old Barns paints a vivid picture of the important role that love, family, and resilience play in our lives. The lyrics speak to the universal experience of facing uncertainty and hardship but finding the strength to persevere in the face of adversity.

Line by Line Meaning

I can remember 2.06 a gallon
I have a clear memory of the price of gas, which was $2.06 per gallon

Still I can't recall how fast I was driving
I don't remember how fast I was driving even though I remember the price of gas

Didn't wake up feeling scared
I didn't wake up feeling scared, probably because I have someone I love by my side

'Cause you're the one I love, and you were standing there
I didn't feel scared because the person I love was there with me

Can't touch my heart, it's not my time
I am not afraid of dying because it's not my time yet

Bust my bones and throw my body on the line
I am willing to put myself in harm's way for the things that matter to me

I've got love to fill me in
I have enough love in my life to make me feel whole

I've got family to help me re-begin
I have family who will support me if I need to start over

Old barns don't tear down
Old barns should be kept standing instead of being torn down

Let 'em stand proud until they fall to the ground
Old barns should be allowed to stay standing until they naturally fall apart

Its a strange feeling to wake up to meet my saviors
It's strange to think that I might need someone to save me one day

And this whole bizarre ballet that I lived through
The events that led me to this realization were strange and unexpected

But I'm not living on a loan
I am living my life on my own terms and not indebted to anyone

These wounds are mine to set me free
The scars I bear are part of who I am and have made me stronger

I feel like every man should know what I know
I believe that every man should have the knowledge and experience that I have gained

This boy I've raised will take care of things when I go
I have confidence in the son I have raised and believe he will take care of things after I am gone

And I'm not looking on scared
I am not afraid of what will happen when I am gone

'Cause you're the one I love, and you're standing there
I am not afraid because the person I love is there with me

Old barns don't tear down
Old barns should be respected and preserved

Let 'em stand proud until they fall to the ground
They should be allowed to endure until they naturally fall apart

Contributed by Addison L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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