Their best-known lineup included Terry Kirkman (vocals, woodwind instruments), Russ Giguere (vocals, guitar), Jim Yester (rhythm and lead guitar), Jules Alexander (lead and rhythm guitar), Brian Cole (bass) and Ted Bluechel Jr (drums) (and later Larry Ramos, who replaced Jules in early 1967).
Since 2014, founding members Jim Yester and Jules Alexander have been leading the current line-up of the Association, which includes Bruce Pictor, Paul Holland, Del Ramos, and Jordan Cole.
Barefoot Gentleman
The Association Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Young woman leaves the beast
Of never ending sadness
The day grows sleepy and it's
Night
He the barefoot boy
In the earth-green waving fields
Awake and come to the crowd for
The Night
And the orange open glow
And sunset of goodbye is singing
Through woman there's a home
In the heart of man right now
Barefoot gentleman there's a
Woman's hand under the moon
'Neath the moon an ever new light
He the barefoot boy
In the black blindfold of death
Led by a woman within his heart
Finds the city of dark's
Promised land
And the orange open glow
And sunset of goodbye is singing
The Association's song "Barefoot Gentleman" is a beautifully poignant piece of lyricism that speaks of the cyclical nature of life. The song is a poetic meditation on the inevitable progression of time and the way in which we navigate life's transitions. The opening lines of the song speak of an old day returning once again, hinting at the idea that everything that has happened before will happen again. The first verse continues with the image of a young woman leaving a state of unending sadness, perhaps to embrace something new, something that will bring new life into her world. As she was seemingly weighed down by the sadness, this new day is a freeing moment for the woman.
As the day grows sleepy and turns into night, the song takes on a dreamlike quality, and the image of the barefoot boy waltzing through earth-green fields is introduced. The boy leaves for the city, and the stars awaken in the sky, shining upon the crowded streets that have come to life in the night. The orange open glow of the sunset signals goodbye, signaling the end of the old day and the arrival of something new.
The second verse continues with the theme of transitions, this time focusing on the idea of home and the heart. Through the woman's presence, we find a home in the heart of man, right now. The barefoot gentleman needs only the touch of a woman's hand beneath the moon to find an ever-new light, signaling that even in the darkest of moments, there is always a glimmer of hope.
Overall, the song serves as a beautiful reflection on the cycle of life, from dawn to dusk and into the night. It is a poetic meditation on the human experience, and the beauty that can be found in even the most difficult moments of our lives.
Line by Line Meaning
An old day is coming once again
The past is revisiting the present.
Young woman leaves the beast
A woman escapes from a situation that brought her endless sadness.
Of never-ending sadness
The woman's misery never seemed to go away.
The day grows sleepy and it's night
The day ends and gives way to the night.
He the barefoot boy
A young man walks without shoes.
In the earth-green waving fields
The young man walks through a field of waving green grass.
Leaves for the city, the stars awake and come to the crowd for the night
The young man heads to the city where the bright stars bring light among the people at night.
And the orange open glow
The sky turns orange as the sun sets.
And sunset of goodbye is singing
The sunset marks the end of something.
Through woman there's a home
Women create a sense of belonging.
In the heart of man right now
This feeling is present in men at this moment.
Barefoot gentleman there's a woman's hand under the moon
A man who walks barefoot has the comfort of a woman's hand under the moonlight.
'Neath the moon an ever new light
The moon brings new light or new beginnings.
In the black blindfold of death
Death is an unknown, dark and terrifying event.
Led by a woman within his heart
A woman guides the young man even in his deepest fears.
Finds the city of dark's promised land
The young man finds hope even in darkness.
Contributed by Hannah I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.