Green Green Grass Of Home
Tommy Cash Lyrics


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The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train
There to meet me is my mama and my papa
Down the road I look and there runs Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries
It's good to touch the green green grass of home
The old house is still standing though the paint is cracked and dry
There's the old oak tree the one that I used to play on
And down the lane I'd walk with my sweet Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries
It's good to touch the green green grass of home
And they'll all come to meet me arms areaching smiling sweetly
It's so good to touch the green green grass of home
Then I awake and I look around me to the four grey walls that surround me
And I realize that well I was I was only dreaming
For there's a guard and there's that sad old padre
Arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak
And again I'll touch the green green grass of home
And they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree




As they lay me neath the green green grass of home
As they lay me neath the green green grass of home

Overall Meaning

The song "Green Green Grass of Home" by Tommy Cash is a poignant ode to the idea of home and the memories associated with it. The lyrics describe the experience of returning home after a long time away and how familiar and comforting everything seems. The singer encounters his parents and the woman he loves, Mary, and it feels great to be able to touch the "green green grass" once again. However, the mood changes abruptly towards the end of the song as the narrative reveals that the singer is in a penitentiary and that the reunion was only a dream. As he faces execution, he dreams of seeing his family and beloved Mary one last time before being buried "neath the green green grass of home."


The symbolism of the green grass is significant here. It represents a longing for a simpler, happier time that the singer wishes he could experience again. Moreover, the green grass is a symbol of the inevitability of death as well. The imagery of grass growing over the singer's grave indicates that he has been laid to rest in the bosom of his motherland, a peaceful end indeed. It is an emotional song that showcases the beauty and fragility of human emotions.


Line by Line Meaning

The old hometown looks the same as I step down from the train
Upon arrival, the town appears as it did when the singer left.


There to meet me is my mama and my papa
The singer's parents are present to greet him.


Down the road I look and there runs Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries
The singer sees his former love interest, Mary, with her characteristic golden hair and cherry-red lips.


It's good to touch the green green grass of home
The singer is comforted by the familiarity and sense of belonging the surroundings bring.


The old house is still standing though the paint is cracked and dry
The building where the singer was raised remains standing, albeit in need of repair.


There's the old oak tree the one that I used to play on
The singer remembers a specific oak tree he climbed and played on when he was younger.


And down the lane I'd walk with my sweet Mary hair of gold and lips like cherries
The singer is reminded of walking down the lane with Mary by his side and her striking features.


It's good to touch the green green grass of home
The singer continues to find comfort in his familiar surroundings.


And they'll all come to meet me arms areaching smiling sweetly
The singer anticipates that family and friends will greet him warmly and with enthusiasm.


It's so good to touch the green green grass of home
The singer reiterates his appreciation for the feelings of comfort and belonging the environment provides.


Then I awake and I look around me to the four grey walls that surround me
Upon waking up, the singer is disheartened to realize he is in prison.


And I realize that well I was I was only dreaming
The singer understands that his reminiscing about his hometown was just a dreaming, which prompts feelings of sadness.


For there's a guard and there's that sad old padre
The singer recognizes the reality of his current situation and the presence of people such as a guard and a chaplain in prison.


Arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak
The singer imagines being escorted by the guard and pastor to his execution the next morning.


And again I'll touch the green green grass of home
The singer recalls the comforting nostalgia of his hometown environment as he envisions his upcoming death.


And they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree
The singer imagines family and friends visiting his gravesite under the shade of the same old oak tree he played on in his youth.


As they lay me neath the green green grass of home
The song concludes with the singer's burial, once again surrounded by the familiar, comforting environment of his hometown.




Contributed by William V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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