Maynard's first idol was trumpeter Harry James and he first received his music union card at age thirteen. He left Montreal at age eighteen with close friend and schoolmate, Oscar Peterson and secured a contract recording session work with RCA Victor's prestigious Jazz division.
He came to prominence playing in Stan Kenton's orchestra, before forming his own band in 1957. He was noted for being able to play accurately in a remarkably high register, and for his bands, which served as stepping stones for up-and-coming talent. Maynard also played a solo at the Closing Ceremony of the 1976 Summer Olympic Games at Montreal, Canada.
Country Road
Maynard Ferguson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Your way and my way seem to be one and the same
Mama don't understand it
She wants to know where I've been
I'd have to be some kind of natural born fool
To want to pass that way again
But you know I could feel it
Sail on home to Jesus won't you good girls and boys
I'm all in pieces, you can have your own choice
But I can hear a heavenly band full of angels
And they're coming to set me free
I don't know nothing 'bout the why or when
But I can tell that it's bound to be
Because I could feel it, child, yeah
On a country road
I guess my feet know where they want me to go
Walking on a country road
Take to the highway won't you lend me your name
Your way and my way seem to be one and the same, child
Mama don't understand it
She wants to know where I've been
I'd have to be some kind of natural born fool
I wanna pass that way again
But I could feel it, oh
On a country road
Walk on down, walk on down, walk on down
Walk on down, walk on down a country road
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Country road, oh, yeah
Walking on a country road
Country road, uh
Country road
The lyrics of Maynard Ferguson's "Country Road" narrate the singer's desire to leave the fast-paced and concrete city life behind and embark on a journey down a serene and peaceful country road. The singer is requesting someone to accompany him on his expedition, and even though they may have different backgrounds and lifestyles, they both share a common goal. The singer's mother is concerned about his sudden departure, but he cannot deny the sensation he feels inside when on this country road. The singer alludes to experiencing some kind of spiritual awakening, hearing an angelic choir coming to set him free. Even though he is not aware of the reason or the time and date of his freedom, he knows that it is inescapable because he can feel it. The ending of the song is a reiteration of the singer's desire to be on this country road again, emphasizing that the love for the road is beyond reasoning or rationality.
The lyrics of Maynard Ferguson's "Country Road" illustrate the desires of a person looking for a place for refuge through the concept of a country road. The song is more like a metaphor about the journey of life and how the destination is unknown. The singer is uncertain about directions and the reasoning behind certain things, but he can feel the unexplainable joy and contentment within himself, which ultimately guides him. The lyrics are relatable in many ways since everyone faces confusion, struggles, or a sense of helplessness. Overall, the song is about how one wants to escape the world and the stresses of life by taking a walk down a country road, a place where they can forget where they came from and feel free.
Line by Line Meaning
Take to the highway won't you lend me your name
Please accompany me on this journey and share your identity with me
Your way and my way seem to be one and the same
Our paths and goals in life appear to be similar
Mama don't understand it
My mother does not comprehend the extent of my actions
She wants to know where I've been
She seeks information regarding my travels
I'd have to be some kind of natural born fool
I can only be an idiot to go through that experience again
To want to pass that way again
I have no desire to return to where I have been before
But you know I could feel it
However, I had a strong sensation inside me
On a country road
When I was on an unpaved path or rural lane
Sail on home to Jesus won't you good girls and boys
Return to your heaven, righteous people
I'm all in pieces, you can have your own choice
I am broken, so you can choose what to do with me
But I can hear a heavenly band full of angels
I can hear heavenly instruments played by angels
And they're coming to set me free
They are coming to free me from my suffering
I don't know nothing 'bout the why or when
I have absolutely no knowledge of why or when it will happen
But I can tell that it's bound to be
However, I am certain that it will happen soon
Because I could feel it, child, yeah
Because I had a powerful sensation inside me, my child
On a country road
When I was on an unpaved path or rural lane
I guess my feet know where they want me to go
I assume my feet know precisely where I should be headed
Walking on a country road
Strolling down an unpaved path or rural lane
Walk on down, walk on down, walk on down
Keep walking forward, keep walking on this path
Walk on down, walk on down a country road
Keep walking down an unpaved path or rural lane
La la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la la
Syllables that are not part of the song's story or meaning, but are merely a sound meant for musical purposes
Country road, oh, yeah
An unpaved path or rural lane, oh yeah
Walking on a country road
Strolling down an unpaved path or rural lane
Country road, uh
An unpaved path or rural lane, uh
Country road
An unpaved path or rural lane
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES TAYLOR, JAMES V TAYLOR
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind