Sing Me Back Home
Jeffrey Shurtleff/Joan Baez Lyrics

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The warden led a prisoner down
The hallway to his doom
I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
And I heard him tell the warden
Just before he reached my cell
Let my guitar playing friend do my request
Let him sing me back home
A song I used to hear

Make my old memories come alive
Take me away and turn back the years
Sing me back home before I die
I recall last Sunday morning
A choir from off the street
Came in to do a few old gospel songs
And I heard him tell the singers
There's a song my mama sang
Could I hear it once before you move along?
Won't you sing me back home
A song I used to hear
Make my old memories come alive

Take me away and turn back the years
Sing me back home before I die

Overall Meaning

In Joan Baez's song "Sing Me Back Home," the lyrics describe a poignant moment as a prisoner is being led down the hallway to his execution. The singer, along with other onlookers, stands to bid farewell to the prisoner. As the prisoner reaches the singer's cell, he requests that his guitar-playing friend sing him a song that he used to hear, in hopes of bringing back old memories and transporting him to a different time. This request is a plea for comfort and solace in the face of impending doom, illustrating the power of music to provide emotional release and connection.

The prisoner's longing for a familiar and comforting tune is further emphasized as he recalls a memory from last Sunday morning when a choir visited the prison to sing gospel songs. He specifically requests to hear a song that his mother used to sing, indicating a deep longing for the past and the emotional connections associated with it. The prisoner's desire to hear this song one last time before his impending death reflects a yearning for a sense of familiarity and nostalgia in his final moments, emphasizing the importance of music in evoking memories and emotions.

The lyrics also highlight the role of music in preserving memories and creating a sense of nostalgia. The prisoner's request for the song to be sung "before [he dies]" underscores the importance of music in keeping memories alive and providing comfort in times of distress. The lyrics evoke a sense of longing and emotional depth as the prisoner seeks solace in a song that holds personal significance, showcasing the universal power of music to evoke emotions and transport individuals to different times and places.

Overall, "Sing Me Back Home" by Joan Baez conveys a poignant and emotional narrative about the power of music to provide comfort, evoke memories, and create a sense of connection in the face of hardships. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a prisoner's final moments and his request for a familiar song to be sung to him, emphasizing the emotional impact of music in eliciting nostalgia and preserving memories. The song's themes of longing, nostalgia, and the power of music to transcend time and circumstances make it a poignant reflection on the human experience and the role of music in bringing solace and connection in difficult times.

Line by Line Meaning

The warden led a prisoner down the hallway to his doom
The prison guard escorted a condemned prisoner to his execution

I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
I rose to bid farewell, as was customary for everyone present

And I heard him tell the warden just before he reached my cell
And I overheard him ask the guard before he arrived at my cell

Let my guitar playing friend do my request
Allow my friend who plays the guitar to fulfill my final wish

Let him sing me back home
Let him sing me a song that brings me back to my roots

A song I used to hear
A melody that once brought me comfort

Make my old memories come alive
Revive the nostalgic moments of my past

Take me away and turn back the years
Transport me to a time long gone and reverse the effects of age

Sing me back home before I die
Sing that song for me before my life comes to an end

I recall last Sunday morning
I remember the events of last Sunday morning

A choir from off the street came in to do a few old gospel songs
A group of singers from the neighborhood arrived to perform some traditional gospel tunes

And I heard him tell the singers there's a song my mama sang
And I heard him request that the singers perform a song his mother used to sing

Could I hear it once before you move along?
Can you please sing it for me before you continue on your way?

Won't you sing me back home
Would you sing that familiar tune for me once more?

A song I used to hear
A melody that brings back memories from the past

Make my old memories come alive
Revive the cherished moments of days gone by

Take me away and turn back the years
Transport me to a different time and reverse the effects of time

Sing me back home before I die
Sing that song to me before my life reaches its end

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Merle Haggard

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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