Jarosz emerged on the scene in about 2003 as someone to watch. Jamming on stage with bluegrass icons named Grisman or Skaggs, she played her mandolin with a sure touch and real joy. It looked and sounded comfortable in her twelve-year-old hands. She started writing songs on the guitar, took up the banjo, and won a bunch of awards. While her instrumental talents are formidable, let's make one thing clear: Sarah is a singer. She's just flat got it. Her voice is velvety smooth, agile, and powerful. With subtle use of colors and effects, she inhabits her songs the way a fine actress does her role. Overall, her music feels good, avoids over reaching. Nothing's contrived.
Her schoolteacher parents have raised her well, providing the skills, support, and freedom to become the confident artist that she is. Beautiful, talented, and just a little mysterious in a wholesome, Wimberley Texas hill-country kinda way, Jarosz is at home in this world. She knows what she's about and is ready to get out there and make her mark.
Hometown
Sarah Jarosz Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Back in her hometown
Never thought she'd settle down
In a place like this
Cold coffee on the back porch
Wooden chair rocking back and forth
Now she wonders how it all went down
Most people never left
Found a job and filled in the rest
Never got around to leaving the nest
Holding on to not let go
But that path just wasn't for her
She got out faster than the fireworks
Never took time to slow it down
Now she's back in her hometown
Looking out at the cedars and the oaks
The mourning dove sings beneath the sky of blue
All the thoughts that led her out
On that road, without a doubt
Somewhere they fizzled out
Now she's back in her hometown
What makes a life complete?
Roads traveled and the people you meet?
Or is just the silence
Of the times in between?
Her mind is racing as she sits alone
In the place that she used to call home
Memories are all around
Back in her hometown
Looking out at the light above the hills
Her mama sings beneath the sky of blue
All the thoughts that led her out
On that road, without a doubt
Somewhere they fizzled out
Now she's back in her hometown
The lyrics to Sarah Jarosz's song "Hometown" tell the story of a protagonist who finds herself back in her hometown, on the verge of a breakdown. She reflects on how she never thought she would settle down in a place like this, but here she is. The song captures the contrast between the singer's desires for something more and her hometown's slow and stagnant pace of life.
The first verse describes the singer's disillusionment with her hometown. She realizes that most people in her hometown never left and settled into a routine. They found jobs and never got around to leaving the nest. However, this path was not meant for her, and she got out faster than the fireworks. Now, as she looks back, she wonders how it all went down and finds herself back in her hometown.
The second verse highlights the singer's contemplation on what makes a life complete. She questions if it's the roads traveled and the people met or simply the silence and stillness of the times in between. Sitting alone in the place she used to call home, memories flood her mind. The chorus reiterates her conflicting emotions of being back in her hometown, taking in the sights and sounds of nature surrounding her.
Overall, "Hometown" beautifully captures the bittersweet experience of returning to one's roots and reflecting on the contrasting desires for adventure and the comfort of home.
Line by Line Meaning
On the verge of a breakdown
Feeling emotionally unstable and overwhelmed
Back in her hometown
Returned to the place where she grew up
Never thought she'd settle down
Never expected to find her place here
In a place like this
In a location that she didn't envision staying in
Cold coffee on the back porch
Sipping on a cup of coffee that has turned cold
Wooden chair rocking back and forth
Sitting in a chair that sways gently
Now she wonders how it all went down
Reflecting on how she ended up in this situation
Back in her hometown
Returned to where her roots lie
Most people never left
The majority of individuals didn't venture far
Found a job and filled in the rest
Secured employment that consumed their lives
Never got around to leaving the nest
Never had the opportunity or desire to leave their familiar surroundings
Holding on to not let go
Clutching to what they have to avoid change
But that path just wasn't for her
That way of life didn't suit her
She got out faster than the fireworks
She exited her hometown quickly, like fireworks disappearing in the sky
Never took time to slow it down
Didn't pause to appreciate the present moment
Now she's back in her hometown
Currently resides in her place of origin
Looking out at the cedars and the oaks
Observing the tall trees in the distance
The mourning dove sings beneath the sky of blue
Listening to the peaceful song of a dove under the blue sky
All the thoughts that led her out
All the ideas that motivated her departure
On that road, without a doubt
Throughout her journey, without any uncertainty
Somewhere they fizzled out
At some point, those thoughts lost their intensity
Now she's back in her hometown
At present, she has returned to her place of upbringing
What makes a life complete?
Questioning the factors that contribute to a fulfilled life
Roads traveled and the people you meet?
The journeys taken and the individuals encountered along the way?
Or is it just the silence
Or perhaps it is the tranquility and stillness
Of the times in between?
Experienced during those moments of pause
Her mind is racing as she sits alone
Feeling mentally overwhelmed while being by herself
In the place that she used to call home
In the location that once held sentimental value for her
Memories are all around
Surrounded by recollections of the past
Back in her hometown
Once again in the town of her upbringing
Looking out at the light above the hills
Gazing at the glow emanating from the hills
Her mama sings beneath the sky of blue
Her mother sings a melody under the clear sky
All the thoughts that led her out
All the ideas that motivated her departure
On that road, without a doubt
Throughout her journey, without any uncertainty
Somewhere they fizzled out
At some point, those thoughts lost their intensity
Now she's back in her hometown
At present, she has returned to her place of upbringing
Lyrics © WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: SARAH JAROSZ
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dana Caviness
Sounds like a song we’ve been singing to for ages! Fits like a faded pair of jeans. Sarah, you are such an old soul! This world needs many more of you! I am thankful for songs like this and people like you. It gives me hope. ❤️✝️
DanielZenMaster
What a great song. This is hitting home so hard now. I just came back to Poland after being away for almost 15 years and few days ago I went to visit my folks in my hometown. It feels so weird, so nostalgic and so good at the same time. And this song...especially nowadays...it has a special meaning on a whole new level (probably for more people than you'd think). Thank you, Sarah.
mike abb
Good people making good songs for good times
Lizzy Scully
I love Sarah's voice! What a gorgeous song. Thanks for sharing.
Roger D
Sarah... you make our mutual home state so proud! You’re a Texas treasure! Thank you
George McElroy
You are an American treasure. Another great song, very well done! God bless you, Sarah, and please stay safe
moecoolmag
when I listen to Sarah my otherwise hectic day just settles down..a sign of a true angel...it may not always be right but it's never wrong...thanks, Sarah !!!
The Wandering Wyatts
This song has me in tears. I just love Wimberley so much. Thank you for such a beautiful song and video that captures that gorgeous little town. ❤️
Adhwaa TAKA
Thank you for the great music, Sarah 🥺❤ your songs always in my head and I'm happy singing them 🙏💗 lots of love from Brunei 🇧🇳❤
Charlie Hill
Love this song and the video of the hill country around Wimberly and Blanco River.