Indiana
Roy Eldridge Dizzy Gillespie Clark Terry Lyrics
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Over land and sea
Yet a moonbeam on the water
Casts a spell o'er me
A vision fair I see
Again I seem to be
[Chorus]
And it seems that I can see
The gleaming candlelight
Still burning bright
Through the sycamores for me
The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance
Through the fields I used to roam
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
How I long for my Indiana home
Fancy paints on memory's canvas
Scenes that we hold dear
We recall them in days after
Clearly they appear
And often times I see
A scene that's dear to me
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Roy Eldridge Dizzy Gillespie Clark Terry's song "Indiana" speak to a sense of nostalgia and yearning for one's homeland. The singer admits to being a wanderer, constantly moving over land and sea, but the sight of a moonbeam on the water transport him back to his Indiana home. He vividly recalls the gleaming candlelight burning bright and the fragrance of new-mown hay in the fields he used to roam. The mention of the Wabash River adds to the sense of homesickness, as the singer dreams about the moonlight on the river and longs for his Indiana home.
The chorus serves as a refrain, emphasizing the emotional impact of these memories. The singer repeats the phrase "back home again in Indiana," indicating a deep desire to return to the place of his childhood. The vivid imagery of the gleaming candlelight and fragrance of new-mown hay appeal to the senses, making it easy for listeners to imagine themselves in the singer's shoes. The sense of yearning and longing for a familiar, beloved place is a universal theme that resonates with anyone who has ever left home or experienced homesickness.
Line by Line Meaning
I have always been a wanderer
Since as long as I can remember, I have never stayed in one place for too long.
Over land and sea
I have explored far and wide, spanning both land and sea in my travels.
Yet a moonbeam on the water
While traveling over water, there are times when the moon shines on it and creates a beautiful sight.
Casts a spell o'er me
This sight has such a strong impact on me that it feels like something magical and enchanting.
A vision fair I see
It's like I'm seeing something truly beautiful and unique that I don't come across every day.
Again I seem to be
This sight has a way of taking me back to a particular moment in time or bringing up specific memories.
[Chorus]
The chorus describes the feeling of coming back home to Indiana and seeing familiar sights that conjure up feelings of nostalgia and comfort.
And it seems that I can see
It feels like I am transported back to Indiana and I can see everything clearly.
The gleaming candlelight
A cozy sight that reminds me of home, possibly representing loved ones waiting for my return.
Still burning bright
This creates the impression that even though I've been away for a while, things have remained relatively unchanged in my absence.
Through the sycamores for me
Sycamore trees are likely a recognizable feature of Indiana's landscape and serve as a guide for me to find my way back home.
The new-mown hay sends all its fragrance
The sweet fragrance of hay cut fresh from the fields is another familiar scent that takes me back to Indiana.
Through the fields I used to roam
These fields carry memories of a time when I was free to explore and wander without any specific destination.
When I dream about the moonlight on the Wabash
The Wabash river may hold special significance for me and this line suggests that I have fond memories of experiencing the moonlight there.
How I long for my Indiana home
After all of my travels, it is clear that Indiana still holds a special place in my heart and I yearn to return to it.
Fancy paints on memory's canvas
Our memories can create vivid and beautiful images, like a painting come to life in our mind's eye.
Scenes that we hold dear
These are memories that are so special and cherished that they will never fade from our mind's eye.
We recall them in days after
Even after a long time has passed, these memories are still very clear and present in our minds.
Clearly they appear
These memories are not hazy or unclear, but as vivid as the day they were made.
And often times I see
These memories are not just fleeting, but rather come to me frequently and remain just as powerful as they were initially.
[Chorus]
The chorus represents a longing for home and the familiar at the end of a long and tumultuous journey.
Lyrics © SHAPIRO BERNSTEIN & CO. INC.
Written by: HANLEY, MACDONALD, CLIFFORD BROWN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind