The Green Leaves of Summer
Royal Phil. Orchestra Lyrics
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The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, with the sweet smell of apples,
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The lyrics of “The Green Leaves of Summer” by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra reflect the wistful rememberings of someone who was once young enough to appreciate the simple pleasures of life. The song speaks of nature’s cycle and the accompanying changes that life brings. The first verse speaks of the joys of youth during the season of plenty, where the catfish would jump high in the sky. The second verse goes on to explain how the youthfulness of that period is intertwined with the land, describing the joys of planting and plowing, and how the singer was able to stand by his wife during the birth of their child. The third verse continues to reflect upon the joys of youth by referring to the sweet smell of apples and the song of an owl in a pine tree.
The song’s themes of nostalgia and reflection on youth are emphasized in the last few lines, in which the singer states that “now the green leaves of Summer are calling me home.” This phrase has a dual meaning: on one hand, it refers to the cyclical nature of life, where after the season of plenty, the leaves will fall and winter will come. On the other hand, it suggests that the singer is now older and longing to return to a time where life was simple and he was closer to the earth.
Line by Line Meaning
A time to be reapin', a time to be sowin'.
There is a season for harvesting the fruits of your labour and a season for preparing and planting new seeds for growth.
The green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
The natural world is inviting me back to the place where I belong.
'Twas so good to be young then, in a season of plenty,
My youthful years were filled with abundance and joy.
When the catfish were jumpin' as high as the sky.
Nature was vibrant and thriving, with even the animals displaying a sense of freedom and liveliness.
A time just for plantin', a time just for ploughin'.
There is a specific time for certain tasks that are essential for growth and success.
A time to be courtin' a girl of your own.
This is a period in life when one seeks to establish a romantic relationship with someone special.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
Being young meant being intimately connected with the natural world, attuned to its rhythms and cycles.
And to stand by your wife at the moment of birth.
A time when one could support one's spouse in the miraculous and profound experience of bringing new life into the world.
With the sweet smell of apples,
The fragrance of ripe fruit was a familiar and cherished part of daily life.
And the owl in the pine tree a-winkin' his eye.
Even the nocturnal creatures seemed to be part of a vibrant and magical world full of fascination and surprise.
A time just for livin', a place for to die.
Every moment is precious and worthy of living fully, and eventually everyone finds their final resting place.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
Once again, nature is beckoning me back to my roots, to find solace and peace in its embrace.
'Twas so good to be young then, to be close to the earth,
The pleasures and rewards of youth were often rooted in a deep and abiding love for the natural world.
Now the green leaves of Summer are callin' me home.
In the end, it is to the natural world that we all return, finding a sense of belonging and meaning in its eternal cycles of growth and renewal.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind