Indiana
Lester Young Trio Lyrics

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Back home again in Indiana,
And it seems that I can see
The gleamin' candlelight,
Still 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,
Still 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

The song "Indiana" by Lester Young and The Oscar Peterson Trio is about the longing for one's home state of Indiana. The first verse paints a picture of someone returning home and seeing the candlelight shining through the sycamores, invoking feelings of comfort and familiarity. The second verse focuses on the scents of the fields that the singer used to roam and the moonlight reflecting on the Wabash river, all of which spark a nostalgic longing for home. The third verse reveals that the singer has always been a wanderer but is still drawn back to Indiana and the vision of its beauty that he holds in his mind.

This song is not only a tribute to the beauty of Indiana but also a reflection of the importance of home as a source of comfort and belonging. The nostalgic lyrics and soothing melody evoke a certain sense of peace and contentment, highlighting the healing power of returning to one's roots. The song also speaks to the universal human experience of longing for something familiar and grounded in our memories.

Line by Line Meaning

Back home again in Indiana
Returning to my hometown in Indiana

And it seems that I can see
I can vividly envision the sights of home

The gleamin' candlelight,
The shining flame of candles

Still shinin' bright,
Continuing to radiate with bright light

Through the sycamores for me.
Visible through the beautiful sycamore trees

The new mown hay sends all its fragrance
The recently cut hay is releasing its pleasing scent

From the fields I used to roam.
Fields I would wander through in the past

When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash,
Recalling memories of the moonlight on the Wabash River

Then I long for my Indiana home.
My heart yearns for the comfort of my Indiana home

Oh, I have always been a wanderer
I have always had an urge to travel and explore

Over land and sea,
Traveled across different terrains and oceans