Sing Me Back Home
Joan Baez & Jeffrey Shurtleff 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 and Jeffrey Shurtleff's song "Sing Me Back Home," the singer sets the scene within a prison, where a warden leads a prisoner down the hallway towards his impending fate. As the singer and others bid farewell to the prisoner, they witness a poignant moment between the inmate and the warden. The prisoner, in a last request, implores the warden to allow his guitar-playing friend to play a song for him before he meets his end. This act of requesting a song before facing death reflects the deep emotional and spiritual connection music can bring in moments of profound significance and vulnerability.

The lyrics convey a sense of longing and nostalgia as the prisoner asks for a song from his past, one that would bring back old memories and transport him to a different time. The prisoner seeks solace and comfort in the familiar melodies, hoping to find a semblance of peace and serenity before his ultimate departure. The power of music to evoke strong emotions and memories is highlighted here, as the prisoner looks to music as a source of solace and remembrance in his final moments.

The mention of a choir singing gospel songs on a Sunday morning adds layers of spirituality and hope to the narrative. The prisoner recalls a song from his childhood, one his mother used to sing, and asks the choir to perform it before they leave. This request underscores the importance of connecting to one's roots and finding solace in familiar tunes that hold personal significance. The act of hearing a beloved song from the past serves as a form of catharsis and connection to the memories and emotions associated with it.

In the final verse, the plea to "sing me back home before I die" encapsulates the yearning for redemption, forgiveness, and closure. The prisoner seeks to be transported through music, to be taken back to a time when life was simpler and memories were sweeter. The song becomes a vessel for healing and reconciliation, offering a fleeting moment of peace and reflection before the inevitable end. Through these poignant lyrics, the song captures the universal longing for connection, comfort, and solace that music can provide in times of distress and uncertainty.

Line by Line Meaning

The warden led a prisoner down
The prison guard escorted a condemned man down the hallway

The hallway to his doom
The path to his inevitable fate

I stood up to say goodbye like all the rest
I rose to bid farewell, just like everyone else present

And I heard him tell the warden
And I overheard him say to the guard

Just before he reached my cell
Right before he got to my jail 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 perform a song that will take me back to my roots

A song I used to hear
A familiar tune from my past

Make my old memories come alive
Evoke nostalgic feelings and memories

Take me away and turn back the years
Transport me back in time to a happier place

Sing me back home before I die
Remind me of where I come from before I meet my end