Gentle On My Mind
Leonard Nimoy & William Shatner Lyrics
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And your path is free to walk
That makes me tend to leave my sleepin' bag
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled
By forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you in the back roads
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Or something that somebody said because
They thought we fit together walkin'
It's just knowing that the world
Will not be cursing or forgiving
When I walk along some railroad track and find
That you're movin' on the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
'cause she turned and I was gone
I still might run in silence
Tears of joy might stain my face
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see
You walkin' on the back roads
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin' cracklin'
Cauldron
In some train yard
My beard a rustlin' coal pile
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
Through cupped hands 'round a tin can
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
That you're waitin' from the back roads
By the rivers of my memory
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind
The lyrics of "Gentle on My Mind" by Leonard Nimoy are a tribute to a certain person who holds a special place in the singer's heart. This person is clearly someone who has allowed the singer to feel free and unencumbered. The singer is always welcome at this person's door and on their path, which leads the singer to leave his sleeping bag rolled behind their couch. This suggests that the singer feels at home with this person and does not see a need to be constantly prepared for travel.
The lyrics also reference the idea of forgotten words and bonds which suggests that this person has not placed any sort of constraints on the singer. Instead, they have created a sort of safe haven for the singer where they can roam and explore without any burdens. The singer explains that though they might move on from this special person, they will always hold them gently in their memory. The gentle presence of this person will always remain with the singer and even when their paths diverge, this person will remain a source of comfort to the singer.
The lyrics also suggest that while there might be other moments of joy, the singer will not forget this person. Even as they travel along a railroad track or through fields, they will remember this person with fondness. The final stanza is particularly poignant because it suggests that even when the singer is eating a simple meal or doing something mundane, they will remember this person and feel as if they are holding them close.
Line by Line Meaning
It's knowin' that your door is always open
Understanding that I am always welcome to your home
And your path is free to walk
Knowing that I am free to come and go as I please
That makes me tend to leave my sleepin' bag
That encourages me to travel light and not hold on to material things
Rolled up and stashed behind your couch
Keeping my belongings close but out of sight
And it's knowin' I'm not shackled
Feeling unburdened and free
By forgotten words and bonds
Not being weighed down by past promises or obligations
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
Not being held accountable for things said or written in the past
That keeps you in the back roads
The peaceful, less-traveled roads are where memories of you reside
By the rivers of my memory
In the depths of my mind, where cherished memories are kept
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind
These memories of you are always comforting to me
It's not clingin' to the rocks and ivy
Not being attached to things that may seem permanent but are not
Planted on their columns now that bind me
Being tied down by things that were meant to provide stability
Or something that somebody said because
Not being influenced by the opinions of others
They thought we fit together walkin'
Their perception of our relationship does not define it
It's just knowing that the world
Being aware of the impermanence and unpredictability of life
Will not be cursing or forgiving
Not being judged by society's standards or values
When I walk along some railroad track and find
When I am out exploring and come across something unexpected
That you're movin' on the back roads
I am reminded of you and your peaceful presence
By the rivers of my memory
In the depths of my mind, where cherished memories are kept
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind
Your presence in my memories is always comforting and positive
Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
Despite the distance and obstacles between us
And the junkyards and the highways come between us
And the harsh realities of life present themselves
And some other woman's cryin' to her mother
Even if another woman is experiencing heartache or loss
'cause she turned and I was gone
Because I disappeared from her life
I still might run in silence
I may find solace in being alone
Tears of joy might stain my face
I may feel overwhelmed with happiness and emotion
And the summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
The hardships and challenges of life may seem overwhelming
But not to where I cannot see
But I will always remember and cherish you
You walkin' on the back roads
The peaceful, less-traveled roads are where memories of you reside
By the rivers flowin' gentle on my mind
In the depths of my mind, where cherished memories are kept
I dip my cup of soup back from a gurglin' cracklin'
I take a sip of soup from a noisy and boiling cauldron
Cauldron
In some train yard
In a solitary and transient setting
My beard a rustlin' coal pile
My unkempt appearance is like a heap of coal being shifted around
And a dirty hat pulled low across my face
I keep a low profile and conceal my face with a worn hat
Through cupped hands 'round a tin can
Using my hands and a makeshift cup to drink the hot soup
I pretend to hold you to my breast and find
I imagine holding you close to me
That you're waitin' from the back roads
And I am comforted by the memories of you on peaceful roads
By the rivers of my memory
In the depths of my mind, where cherished memories are kept
Ever smilin', ever gentle on my mind
Your presence in my memories is always comforting and positive
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: John Hartford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind