After taking a brief recording hiatus in the mid-1990s to start a family with her husband, songwriter Doug Crider, Bogguss returned to the country music scene to find that her charting power had already faded. Although she last appeared on the Billboard Hot Country Singles Chart in 1999, Bogguss continues to record and perform around the country to a loyal following.
Her most recent recordings have ventured into swing and jazz variations of country. These albums really showcase the tremendous talent in her voice. Suzy is a true singer, and her voice has so much versatility.
In 2014, Suzy added an album of Merle Haggard songs entitled "Lucky". The country & western flavor dominates this album, unlike some of her other recent work. To promote this new album, Suzy has embarked on a nationwide tour.
An Empty Heart and a Harvest Moon
Suzy Bogguss Lyrics
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Big September moons above
Your garden needs a little tenderness I know
Bad time to be out of love
I can smell the pine breeze off the river tonight
I can hang a wish on the evening star
It's just the way you left it here but something's not right
Can you feel it where you are
River of hope is running shallow
Gonna need some rain here pretty soon
My field of dreams is lying fallow
You've got a brand new start with a love in bloom
I've got an empty heart and a harvest moon
It's just the kind of moon that used to follow us back then
I guess you're over that for good
It's not that I believe at all you're coming back again
It's just the kind of night to wish you would
River of hope is running shallow
Gonna need some rain here pretty soon
My field of dreams is lying fallow
You've got a brand new start with a love in bloom
I've got an empty heart and a harvest moon
Sky open up on these plains, fill up this stream
I want to stand in the rain till I'm clean
River of hope is running shallow
Gonna need some rain here pretty soon
My field of dreams is lying fallow
You've got a brand new start with a love in bloom
I've got an empty heart and a harvest moon
The lyrics to Suzy Bogguss's song "An Empty Heart and a Harvest Moon" depict a scene of emptiness and longing in the aftermath of a lost love. The singer describes standing in the backyard where their love used to grow, under a big September moon. They note that the garden needs some tender care, but it's a bad time to be out of love. The singer can smell the pine breeze off the river, and they hang a wish on the evening star, but something's not right. They wonder if their former partner can sense the same feeling of emptiness where they are.
The chorus of the song repeats the metaphor of a "river of hope running shallow" and a "field of dreams lying fallow." The singer acknowledges that their ex has moved on, with a blossoming new love, while they are left with an empty heart and a harvest moon. In the second verse, the singer admits they don't expect their ex to return, but on this kind of moonlit night, they can't help but wish they would. The final lines express a desire for the sky to open up and the rain to come, to wash away the pain and emptiness.
Overall, the song conveys a sense of loss and longing, but also a recognition that new growth and hope are possible. The imagery of rivers, gardens, and moons hints at the cyclical nature of love and life, suggesting that even in the darkest moments, there is a chance for renewal.
Line by Line Meaning
Standing in the back yard where our love used to grow
I am outside in the same place where we used to love each other.
Big September moons above
There is a full moon in the sky.
Your garden needs a little tenderness I know
I can see that your garden needs some care and attention.
Bad time to be out of love
It is not a good time to be without love.
I can smell the pine breeze off the river tonight
I am able to smell the scent of pine trees that is carried by the breeze from the nearby river.
I can hang a wish on the evening star
I can put my hopes and wishes on the brightest star in the sky.
It's just the way you left it here but something's not right
Everything is the same as when you left, but something feels off.
Can you feel it where you are
Do you sense the same thing where you are?
River of hope is running shallow
My hopes and dreams are fading away.
Gonna need some rain here pretty soon
I need something to nourish and renew my spirits.
My field of dreams is lying fallow
My dreams are not growing or producing anything.
You've got a brand new start with a love in bloom
You have moved on and found new love, while I am still searching.
I've got an empty heart and a harvest moon
I am alone and feeling empty during this moon cycle that used to bring us happiness.
It's just the kind of moon that used to follow us back then
This particular moon used to be important and significant to us.
I guess you're over that for good
I assume you have moved on and are no longer interested in what we had.
It's not that I believe at all you're coming back again
I do not have faith that you will return to me.
It's just the kind of night to wish you would
Despite my doubts, I cannot help but wish for your return on this particular night.
Sky open up on these plains, fill up this stream
I want the sky to open up and bring much-needed rain to this area.
I want to stand in the rain till I'm clean
I want to be cleansed and feel refreshed by standing in the rain.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: CLINTON DOUGLAS CRIDER, MATTHEW CHARLES ROLLINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind