With their smooth three part harmonies, collegiate appeal, and trademark striped shirts The Kingston Trio single-handedly revolutionized folk and pop music in America. Between the years of 1957-1967, Bob Shane, Nick Reynolds, and Dave Guard (who in 1961 was replaced by John Stewart), created a musical legacy that no other folk group has equalled or surpassed. The Kingston Trio has never failed to leave audiences energized and begging for more.
Until the advent of the Beatles in 1964, The Kingston Trio ruled the pop charts. They were the first act to sell more LP records than singles, placing 14 of their LP records in the "Top 10." One of those top ten made it to #1, redefining the group forever. The song that earned the Trio their first Grammy and catapulted them into the spotlight, was the legendary folk tune, "Tom Dooley." With the American public's desire to hear more music of the same kind, the folk era had been ushered into the limelight, leaving label exec's scrambling to imitate the Trio's distinct sound. Before long, the world was itching to hear the Trio live and be a part of their unparalled success.
Despite the Trio's immense popularity, today most of the Kingston Trio albums available on CD are compilations of the group's greatest hits. However, Folk Era Records has released one never before heard Kingston Trio album -"An Evening With The Kingston Trio," and re-issued two of the Trio's last three studio albums, "Stay Awhile" and "Children Of The Morning," to which eight of the twelve songs found on the third original LP "Something Else" have been added.
Last Thing On My Mind
Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Made of sand, made of sand
In a wink of an eye my soul is turnin'
In your hand, in your hand.
[Chorus:]
Are you goin' away with no word of fare well,
Will there be not a trace left behind?
You know that was the last thing on my mind.
As I lie in my bed ev'ry mornin'
Without you, without you
Each song in my heart dies a-bornin'
Without you, without you.
[Chorus]
You've got reason a-plenty for leavin'
This I know, this I know
For the weeds have been steadily growin'
Please, don't go, aw, please, don't go.
[Chorus]
(Oh, yeah, I) Could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind
You know that was the last thing on my mind.
The Kingston Trio's "Last Thing On My Mind" is a song about regret and the realization of the importance of someone once they have left. The persona of the song acknowledges too late the lessons that he should have learned, as if it were made of sand and slipped away. The second verse expresses a deep sense of sadness in the absence of his love, and he copes by shutting down and not allowing any new songs to be born in his heart without her. In the chorus, the persona fears that his love might leave without any word of farewell and wonders if there will be any memory left behind. He then confesses that he could have loved her better but didn't mean to be unkind.
In the third verse, the persona recognizes the reasons why his love might want to leave and pleads with her to stay. He doesn't want her to abandon him and for the weeds to continue growing without her presence. The chorus repeats one more time and ends with the persona affirming that the last thing on his mind will always be how he could have loved her better. The song demonstrates the importance of appreciating the people in our lives while they are still with us and cherishing them before it's too late.
Line by Line Meaning
It's a lesson too late for the learnin'
I can see now that I made a mistake, but it's too late to change my behavior.
Made of sand, made of sand
My relationship with you was fragile and volatile.
In a wink of an eye my soul is turnin',
My feelings for you can change quickly and unexpectedly.
In your hand, in your hand.
I was depending on you to take care of my heart and emotions.
Are you goin' away with no word of farewell,
I fear that you will leave without even saying goodbye.
Will there be not a trace left behind?
I worry that you will disappear completely and I will have nothing to remember you by.
I could've loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind
Looking back, I realize that I didn't treat you as well as I could have and I regret any hurt I caused.
You know that was the last thing on my mind.
I never intended to hurt you and I hope you know that.
As I lie in my bed ev'ry mornin',
Every day when I wake up without you, I feel a sense of loss and sadness.
Without you, without you
My life feels empty and incomplete without you in it.
Each song in my heart dies a-bornin',
My creativity and passion are suppressed without your love and support.
You've got reason a-plenty for leavin'
I understand why you might want to leave me because I didn't treat you well.
This I know, this I know
I am aware of my faults and shortcomings in the relationship.
For the weeds have been steadily growin'
Our love was neglected and overlooked, causing problems to emerge over time.
Please, don't go, aw, please, don't go.
I am desperately asking you to stay with me and give me another chance.
Could have loved you better, didn't mean to be unkind
I am acknowledging my mistakes and apologizing for my behavior.
You know that was the last thing on my mind.
I want you to know that I never intended to hurt you and I deeply regret any pain I caused.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Tom Paxton
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Lane Crooks
First time I heard this song was from Porter & Dolly. This version by the Kingston Trio is SO great. As always the harmony is top-notch. I've said this on other videos but, John's era is my favorite, he took them to another level that (IMO) they couldn't have done w/Dave.
taddyd1
https://youtu.be/gO_LfF2L-rw
charliekucharski
One thing I came to love about the Kingston Trio was their choice of song material. Some of the best cuts they put on record were done right before they broke up. They used quite a few Tom Paxton songs because they knew a great writer when they heard one. Thanks for posting.
3Pitous
Fantastic harmony.Great.
Nolan Bowen
Their harmony was better than any group I know, with the exception of the Tabernacle Choir.
Larry Talbott
The Kingston Trio have released "Somethin' Else" in its entirety via their own store, Tom Dooley's Mercantile. The CD also reproduces the album cover.
Oberdã Fernandes
This is one of my preffered songs that send me back in time.
ssgtsouth
Man, I just love this song. Only Paxton does it as 👍.
Chad Pittman
You should check out Gram Parsons version
Nolan Bowen
My best friend and I used to sing this wonderful song. He passed away and another friend and I would sing it. I always thought of my deceased friend and I do now. "Please don't go, please don't go." I will see and sing with my friend again.