Indiana
Johnny Mercer Lyrics


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Back home again in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleamin' candlelight,
Atill shinin' bright,
Through the sycamores for me.

The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
Then I long for my Indiana home.

Oh, I have always been a wanderer
Over land and sea,
Yet a moonbeam on the water
Casts a spell o'er me;
A vision fair I see,
Again I long to be;

Back home again in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleamin' candlelight,
Atill shinin' bright,
Through the sycamores for me.

The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
From the fields I used to roam.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,




Then I long for my Indiana home,
Indiana home.

Overall Meaning

Johnny Mercer's song Indiana is a nostalgic ode to the state of Indiana, where the singer feels homesick and longs to return to his home state. The song evokes a sense of longing and fond memories of one's childhood and past. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the singer's home state, with its gleaming candlelights shining through the sycamore trees and the fragrance of the new mown hay from the fields. The singer reminisces about the moonlight on the Wabash River, which reminds him of his Indiana home and leaves him longing to be back there.


The song is bittersweet, with the singer describing himself as a wanderer who has traveled over land and sea. However, even though he has seen the world, the moonlight on the water causes him to realize how much he longs to be back in Indiana. The lyrics capture the universal feeling of homesickness and nostalgia for one's roots, and the longing to relive fond memories and experiences. The melody is wistful and beautiful, complementing the nostalgic tone of the lyrics and capturing the essence of homesickness and longing.


Line by Line Meaning

Back home again in Indiana,
I am back in my hometown, Indiana.


And it seems that I can see
I can picture in my mind's eye.


The gleamin' candlelight,
The flickering glow of candles.


Atill shinin' bright,
Still shining with intensity.


Through the sycamores for me.
Peeking through the trees.


The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
The freshly cut hay emits its aroma.


From the fields I used to roam.
From the areas where I used to wander.


When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
When I envision the moonlight over the Wabash River.


Then I long for my Indiana home.
I yearn for my home in Indiana.


Oh, I have always been a wanderer
I have a history of traveling and exploration.


Over land and sea,
Through various places on land and across oceans.


Yet a moonbeam on the water
A beam of moonlight shining on the water.


Casts a spell o'er me;
Enchants me with its beauty.


A vision fair I see,
I see a beautiful sight.


Again I long to be;
I have a desire to return.


Back home again in Indiana,
To my hometown of Indiana.


And it seems that I can see
I can still visualize it.


The gleamin' candlelight,
The flickering glow of candles.


Atill shinin' bright,
Still shining with intensity.


Through the sycamores for me.
Peeking through the trees.


The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
The freshly cut hay emits its aroma.


From the fields I used to roam.
From the areas where I used to wander.


When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
When I envision the moonlight over the Wabash River.


Then I long for my Indiana home,
I yearn for my home in Indiana.


Indiana home.
My beloved Indiana home.




Lyrics © RESERVOIR MEDIA MANAGEMENT INC
Written by: James F. Hanley, Ballard McDonald

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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