Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, T… Read Full Bio ↴Gilmore is a native of the Texas Panhandle, having been born in Amarillo, Texas and raised in Lubbock, Texas. His earliest musical influence was Hank Williams and the honky tonk brand of country music that his father played. In the 1950s, he was exposed to the emerging rock and roll of other Texans such as Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash and Lubbock native Buddy Holly. He was profoundly influenced in the 1960s by the likes of The Beatles and Bob Dylan and the folk music and blues revival in that decade.

Gilmore also played "Smokey" in The Big Lebowski

Where Are You Going
Jimmie Dale Gilmore Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I've seen crimson roses growing through a chain link fence
I've seen crystal visions sometimes they don't make sense
You can see the future, it don't make no difference
Just don't talk about it, babe you know I love the suspense

I once build a mansion, then I tore that mansion down
I fixed up the penthouse, one day I burned it to the ground
Working in the basement, trying not to make a sound

I just keep on building and that wheel just keeps turning 'round

I remember when she was everything, everything to me
When that hollow sun has finally fallen in the sea
Where you going, where you going, where you going to be

I've heard golden laughter glowing from the jailhouse walls
I have seen a garden growing where the rain don't fall
I would love to linger but I still hear the mountain call
You and I don't need goodbye we'll meet at the fountain after all

I remember when she was everything, everything to me

When that morning star comes rising from the silver sea
You'll be going, You'll be going, You'll be going with me

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jimmie Dale Gilmore's "Where Are You Going" paint a vivid picture of someone who has seen and experienced a lot in their life. The opening line "I've seen crimson roses growing through a chain link fence" speaks to the beauty and resilience of nature, even in unexpected and less-than-ideal circumstances. The following line, "I've seen crystal visions sometimes they don't make sense," suggests a deeper level of introspection and perhaps even psychic abilities.

The lyrics go on to describe the singer's tendency to build things up and tear them down, whether it's a physical mansion or a metaphorical penthouse. The line "I just keep on building and that wheel just keeps turning 'round" could be interpreted as a commentary on the cyclical nature of life and the human experience. The chorus, which consists of the repeated question "Where you going, where you going, where you going to be," suggests a sense of uncertainty or restlessness.

The second half of the song takes a dreamier turn, with images of "golden laughter" coming from jailhouse walls and gardens growing in unlikely places. The final lines, "When that morning star comes rising from the silver sea/ You'll be going, you'll be going, you'll be going with me," suggest a sense of hope or optimism, and perhaps even some spiritual or metaphysical belief in a shared afterlife.

Overall, the lyrics of "Where Are You Going" are open to interpretation but convey a sense of wanderlust, introspection, and a search for deeper meaning and connection.

Line by Line Meaning

I've seen crimson roses growing through a chain link fence
I have witnessed the beauty of nature growing in the most unexpected places.

I've seen crystal visions sometimes they don't make sense
I have sometimes had glimpses of the future, but they are difficult to interpret.

You can see the future, it don't make no difference
Having the ability to see the future doesn't change anything in the present.

Just don't talk about it, babe you know I love the suspense
I prefer to keep the mystery and anticipation of what the future may hold.

I once build a mansion, then I tore that mansion down
I have built up something great before, only to dismantle it myself.

I fixed up the penthouse, one day I burned it to the ground
I have also destroyed something I cared for greatly after putting a lot of work into it.

Working in the basement, trying not to make a sound
I continue to work tirelessly, even when nobody is watching or aware of my efforts.

I just keep on building and that wheel just keeps turning 'round
I never stop working towards the next thing, and the cycle of building and tearing down continues.

I remember when she was everything, everything to me
I recall a time when someone was incredibly important and significant to me.

When that hollow sun has finally fallen in the sea
At the end of everything, when there is nothing left, and the sun sets for the final time.

Where you going, where you going, where you going to be
Where will you end up after everything is said and done?

I've heard golden laughter glowing from the jailhouse walls
I have heard happiness and positivity even in the bleakest of situations.

I have seen a garden growing where the rain don't fall
I have witnessed growth and beauty in places where it was thought impossible to thrive.

I would love to linger but I still hear the mountain call
I am drawn to the next challenge, even when it would be nice to stay in a comfortable place.

You and I don't need goodbye we'll meet at the fountain after all
We don't need to say goodbye, we will meet again in the future.

When that morning star comes rising from the silver sea
When a new day dawns and hope is restored.

You'll be going, You'll be going, You'll be going with me
We will continue to move forward together towards whatever comes next.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID ALLEN HAMMOND, JIMMIE DALE GILMORE

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS