Known as "Van the Man" by his fans, Morrison first rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Northern Irish band Them, writing their 1964 hit "Gloria". A few years later, Morrison left the band for a successful solo career, starting with the album Astral Weeks.
Morrison has pursued an idiosyncratic musical path. Much of his music is tightly structured around the conventions of American soul and R&B, such as the popular singles "Brown Eyed Girl", "Moondance", "Domino", and "Wild Night". An equal part of his catalogue consists of lengthy, loosely connected, spiritually inspired musical journeys that show the influence of Celtic tradition, jazz, and stream-of-consciousness narrative, such as his classic album Astral Weeks and lesser known works such as Veedon Fleece and Common One. The two strains together are sometimes referred to as "Celtic Soul," and Morrison rejects the characterization of his genre of music as Rock, citing Elvis Presley as a non-influence.
He continues to perform regularly and achieved his highest U.S. chart position (number ten on the Billboard 200) with his 2008 album, Keep It Simple.
Georgia
Van Morrison Lyrics
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The whole day through
Just an old sweet song keeps
Keeps Georgia on my mind
Oh, on my mind, on my mind
Well, well, well, well, well, well I say a hey now
Hey now, hey now, hey now, Georgia
Comes as sweet and clear
As the moonlight through the pines
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
For that peaceful dreams I see
The road, the road, the road, the road, the road
The road, the road, the road, the road, the road
The road leads back to you, oh
Said-a Georgia
No peace, no peace, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Keeps you, keeps you, keeps you
Gentle on my mind
Your arms, your arms, your arms, your arms
Your arms, your arms, your arms, your arms reach out to me
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes
Your eyes, your eyes, your eyes, your eyes smile tenderly
For that peaceful, for that peaceful dreams I see
Oh the hardened, hardened ground and road
Oh they lead back to you
Georgia
No, no, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Just an old sweet, just an old sweet, just an old sweet song
Keeps you, keeps you, on my mind, on my mind
On my mind, oh
Just an old sweet song keeps
Georgia on my mind
On my mind, on my mind
The song "Georgia" by Van Morrison is a poignant tribute to the state of Georgia, most likely inspired by the poet's memories and experiences in the Southern state. The song is a soulful, bluesy ballad that speaks of the strong emotional pull that Georgia has on the singer. Throughout the song, Morrison speaks of how just the thought of Georgia keeps him tethered to the state, unable to find peace elsewhere.
The opening lines of the song, "Georgia, Georgia, the whole day through, Just an old sweet song keeps Georgia on my mind," speak to the significance and staying power of Georgia in Morrison's life. The song continues to paint a vivid picture of Morrison's memories and experiences in Georgia, describing how the thought of Georgia comes to him sweetly and clearly, like moonlight through the pines. Morrison speaks of how he sees peaceful dreams when he thinks of Georgia and how the road always leads him back to the Southern state.
Line by Line Meaning
Georgia, Georgia,
The whole day through
Georgia is always on the mind of the singer, the thought of it never leaves and stays with them throughout the day.
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
The singer is reminded of Georgia by a familiar, nostalgic song that plays in their head and keeps the memory of Georgia fresh in their mind.
Well, well, well, well, well I say hey now, hey now, hey now, hey now
An expression of excitement and anticipation for the memories and thoughts that follow.
Just the thought of you
Comes as sweet and clear
As the moonlight through the pines
The artist's thoughts of Georgia are vivid and pleasant, in a way that is reminiscent of the clarity of moonlight shining through the trees.
Other arms reach out to me
Other eyes smile tenderly
For that peaceful dreams I see
The road, the road, the road, the road, the road, the road, the road, the road, the road, the road, The road,
Leads back to you
Although the artist encounters other people and experiences in their life, they are drawn back to Georgia, as if a magnet was guiding them back to its location.
Oh, say that Georgia
No peace, no peace, no peace I find
The singer longs to be in Georgia, as to them it represents a source of inner peace and calm that is difficult to find elsewhere.
Just an old sweet song
Keeps you, keeps you, keeps you
Gentle on my mind
Despite the singer being physically distant from Georgia, the memories of the state are kept alive by the comforting sounds of music, which remind the singer of the warmth and comfort of being there.
Your arms your arms your arms your arms your arms
Your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes your eyes smile tenderly
For that peaceful, for that peaceful dreams I see
Oh the hardened ground and road
Lead back to you
The artist envisions the warm embrace and loving gaze of the people in Georgia, which provides them with a sense of happiness and fulfillment that they cannot find elsewhere. The roads and terrain of the state are also familiar landmarks that lead the artist back to Georgia.
No, no, no peace I find
Just an old sweet song
Just an old sweet, just an old sweet, just an old sweet song
The artist is restless and unhappy when they are not in Georgia, but the memory of the state is kept alive by familiar music that brings them comfort and reminds them of the joys of being in Georgia.
Keeps you, keeps you, on my mind, on my mind, on my mind
Just an old sweet song
Keeps Georgia on my mind
On my mind, on my mind.
The memory of Georgia is always present in the mind of the artist, and the comforting sound of music serves to keep Georgia fresh and alive in their thoughts, no matter where they may be.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Hoagy Carmichael, Stuart Gorell
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind