FAR AWAY
Marty Stuart Lyrics

Fields are deathly quiet
The environment is eerily silent in areas where thriving cotton crops used to be

Where the cotton used to grow
Referencing the aftermath of the destruction of the once-flourishing cotton crop fields

I'm a stranger in a land
Feeling disconnected to a previously familiar territory

That I used to know
Recalling happier times when the land's livelihood was more abundant

In a land
Even though it's still technically the same geographical area, so much has changed it might as well be a different place

A land I've not forgotten
Despite the changes and devastation, the place's significance and memories persist

Look away
It's easier to turn a blind eye and ignore the present reality

Everything has changed here
The area has undergone a transformative change, almost unrecognizable from previous times

"Cept some things inside of me
Even though the external environment altered drastically, the artist retains their internal makeup

I've hid 'em from the world
The artist conceals certain parts about themselves from others

Kept them under lock and key
The secretive parts of the singer's personality are intentionally private and protected from invasive questioning or judgement

Like the sound of my mama's voice
The comfort of the maternal figure in one's life serves as an anchor, keeping them grounded

Callin' me back home
The motherly voice conjures longing for the past and the singer's original familial dwelling

To the place
Referencing a particular location that offers solace and reassurance

Where I belong
The singer feels a sense of identity and ownership in that location, despite being physically removed from it

Far Away
The artist is distant from the location of comfort

Far Away
Reiterating how alienated the artist feels from the beloved location

Don't know why I left you
The reason for the singer's physical detachment from the area of comfort is unclear

And look how long I've stayed
Describing the amount of time the singer has been away from the previously beloved location

How'd I get so far away
The artist reflects on the time and distance from the location of comfort, questioning how they inevitably ended up so removed from it

Carved my name one Sunday morning
The artist took a personal action to further connect themselves to the area in question

On a sweet magnolia tree
The type of tree referenced can hold deeper symbolic meaning in certain parts of the American south

I cried when I walked away
The singer had an emotional attachment to the area and leaving it was painful

Broke my heart to leave
Further emphasizing the emotional turmoil that was experienced upon departure

Took that little piece of me
A part of the singer's identity or essence remains in that location

Put it in my pocket
The singer carries the connection to the area with them, even when not physically present

I've lost myself a time or two
Referencing the singer's potential for becoming sidetracked or derailed in life

And I never once forgot it
Despite the fluctuations and changes in life, the importance of that area and the past experiences remain with the artist

How did I get so far away
Reiterating the bafflement and questioning of how the artist ended up so disconnected from the area that still holds such an important place in their life