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.
Old Old Woodstock
Van Morrison Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Get you when you're through
Feel the breezes blowing
All around your coat
Oh don't it get you
When you gotta roam
Hear the children singing
My Daddy's coming home
Going down to old Woodstock
Feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Going down to give my baby a squeeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Way behind the shady trees
Here I come a swaggering
Way on over the ridge
See the water flowing
Way beneath the bridge
And my woman's waiting
By the kitchen door
I'm driving along
In my old beat up car
Going down to old Woodstock
Feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Give my child a squeeze
Going down to old Woodstock
To feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Way behind the shady trees
Listen, oh don't it get you
Get you in your throat
Feel the breezes blowing
All around your coat
Lord don't it get you
When you're bound to roam
Hear your children sing
My Daddy's coming home
Going down to old Woodstock
To feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Give my child a squeeze
Going down to old Woodstock
To feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Way behind the shady trees
Going down to old Woodstock
To feel the cool night breeze
Going down to old Woodstock
Give my child a squeeze
Going down to old Woodstock
To feel the cool night breezes
Old Woodstock
The song "Old Old Woodstock" by Van Morrison is a nostalgic tribute to the Woodstock music festival of 1969. The lyrics describe a man's journey to the festival, along with his anticipation of seeing his loved ones waiting for him at home. He describes the pleasant cool night breeze blowing around his coat while approaching the festival grounds, and later on his way back home. He also hears children singing the song "My Daddy's coming home," which symbolizes the reunion of families after the festival is over.
Throughout the song, Morrison reflects on the sense of community and freedom he experienced at Woodstock. He describes the water flowing beneath the bridge, the shady trees, and the open roads that bring him closer to his destination. As he drives his old beat-up car over the ridge, he feels a sense of excitement to be surrounded by the beauty of nature and the music of the time. The song invites the listener to share in this feeling of connectedness and escape from the stresses of daily life.
Overall, "Old Old Woodstock" is a beautiful homage to the Woodstock Festival and the spirit of the time. Its lyrics convey a deep appreciation for the natural world, a shared sense of community, and a longing for simpler times.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh don't it get you
Doesn't it affect you deeply
Get you when you're through
When you're done with something or someone
Feel the breezes blowing
Experience the winds that blow
All around your coat
In every direction, blowing your coat
Oh don't it get you
Doesn't it affect you deeply
When you gotta roam
When you have to travel or move around
Hear the children singing
Listen to the kids singing
My Daddy's coming home
That their father is coming back home
Going down to old Woodstock
Traveling to the town of Woodstock
Feel the cool night breeze
Sense the fresh winds of the night
Going down to old Woodstock
Traveling to the town of Woodstock
Going down to give my baby a squeeze
Going there to embrace and hold my child
Going down to old Woodstock
Traveling to the town of Woodstock
Feel the cool night breeze
Sense the fresh winds of the night
Going down to old Woodstock
Traveling to the town of Woodstock
Way behind the shady trees
Behind the trees with shade
Here I come a swaggering
Incoming with confidence and attitude
Way on over the ridge
Far beyond the edge or peak
See the water flowing
Observing water in motion
Way beneath the bridge
Far beneath the bridge
And my woman's waiting
My significant other is expecting me
By the kitchen door
Near the door leading to the kitchen
I'm driving along
I'm driving down the road
In my old beat up car
In my worn down vehicle
Give my child a squeeze
Hug my child tightly
Listen, oh don't it get you
Listen, isn't it touching you
Get you in your throat
Sincerity that makes you emotional
Lord don't it get you
Dear God, isn't it touching you
When you're bound to roam
When you're obliged to travel or move around
Hear your children sing
Hear your kids singing
My Daddy's coming home
That their father is coming back home
To feel the cool night breezes
To experience the fresh winds of the night
Old Woodstock
The town of Woodstock in New York state
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: VAN MORRISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Dork Dorkerson
Why is this album not on Spotify????
James Bistany
Sweet song. Always makes my eyes well up.
Steve Bryman
Me too!
SilvioManfredDante85
Very peaceful.... Love to listen to it early in the morning, for some reason.
Evelyn O'Connor
A lovely song--- beautifully sung
RDuke202 0
Van the man..hes one of my favorites and i was born '93
dlm9293
I will live in Woodstock one day, because of this song..
dlm9293
HerringboneRecords isnt that the truth.. thats okay, though. One day I'll find a way to make it work..
HerringboneRecords
...can't afford it anymore.....;-)
Cora Visser
This is awesome morgan thank you very much.i am happy with this song.