Girl From The North Country
Jim James Conor Oberst & M. Ward Lyrics
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The lyrics of "Girl from the North Country" are a plea from the singer to someone who is traveling to the North Country Fair to remember him to his past love. The North Country Fair is a location with a chilling climate where the wind hits heavily on the borderline. The singer asks the traveler to look out for his former love and to relay a message to her. He wants the traveler to confirm if his past love is wearing a coat warm enough to protect her from the howling wind that is characteristic of the North Country Fair's climate.
The singer's description of his past love is quite vivid. He asks the traveler to check if her hair is hanging down in braids and if it froze down her braids. This description suggests that the woman may have long hair that the singer loved seeing that way. By asking the traveler to tell the former lover about her, the singer is indicating that he has not been in touch with her for a while.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of longing, nostalgia, and possibly lost love. The singer is asking the traveler to do a favor for him, indicating that he cannot ask the former lover himself which suggests that something may have happened between them that prevented him from staying in touch with her.
Line by Line Meaning
well if you're traveling to the north country fair
As you make your journey to the fair in the north...
where the wind hits heavy on the borderline
...where the force of the wind is strong near the edge of the region...
remeber me, to one who has left
...please keep me in mind and say hello to the person who's departed...
for she once was a true love of mine
...who was once my genuine sweetheart...
and if you go where the snowflake's gone
If you venture to places where snowflakes fall...
and the rivers freeze and the summer ends
...and the rivers have turned to ice and the warm season has ended...
please see she's wearing a coat so warm
...make sure she's dressed in a cozy coat to protect her from the harsh wind...
to keep her from the howling wind
...to shield her from the sound of the fierce wind...
please see for me if her hairs hanging down in rows
Would you kindly check if her hair is still braided neatly...
froze all down her braids
...and if ice has formed around each one...
please see for me that her hairs hanging down
...let me know if her hair is loose and flowing...
that's the way i remember her best
...that's how I recall her most fondly...
so if your traveling to the north country fair
If, in fact, you find yourself embarking on a journey to the fair in the north...
where the wind hits heavy on the borderline
...where the wind is strong along the border...
remember me, to one who is left
...please recall me, and offer my greetings to the person who's still around...
for she once was a true love of mine.
...because that person was once a genuine love of mine.
Contributed by Caroline M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hafizjiwanta6173
[Verse 1]
If you’re travelin' in the north country, fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she once was a true love of mine
[Verse 2]
If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see she has a coat so warm
To keep her from the howling winds
[Verse 3]
Please see if her hair hangs long
If it rolls and flows all down her breast
Please see for me if her hairs hangin' long
For that’s the way I remember her best
[Verse 4]
I’m a-wondering if she remembers me at all
Many times I’ve often prayed
In the darkness of my night
In the brightness of my day
[Verse 5]
So if you’re traveling in the north country, fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she once was a true love of mine
@BryanRobson89
Good stuff. No matter what, Johnny Cash and Dylan’s version together is untouchable
@totalignoranceinc
I love when jim uses some twang in his voice. Hes one of the few vocalists I can tolerate using a country style
@weavs90
All of these guys are great folk legends.
@nickigray1936
Don't we all?
@waymanmccall5698
Girl from the North Country means a lot to me. Almost any cover of it breaks me. My Wife...
@hafizjiwanta6173
[Verse 1]
If you’re travelin' in the north country, fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she once was a true love of mine
[Verse 2]
If you go when the snowflakes storm
When the rivers freeze and summer ends
Please see she has a coat so warm
To keep her from the howling winds
[Verse 3]
Please see if her hair hangs long
If it rolls and flows all down her breast
Please see for me if her hairs hangin' long
For that’s the way I remember her best
[Verse 4]
I’m a-wondering if she remembers me at all
Many times I’ve often prayed
In the darkness of my night
In the brightness of my day
[Verse 5]
So if you’re traveling in the north country, fair
Where the winds hit heavy on the borderline
Remember me to one who lives there
For she once was a true love of mine
@cmcelroy222
Best version of this song, conor & jim: two of the best musicians, of all time. both highly underated. & jim could be the voice of god.
@YoseMiteEmery
M is better than J, C is on top tho.
@jameswestphal7605
I saw them play this at the Somerville Theatre in MA on 2/29/04. Great show.
@distantandvague
Jim James just obliterates in this.