Introduction:
“Green, Green Grass of Home” is a poignant song recorded by Elvis Presley in 1975, featured on his Today album. Originally penned by songwriter Curly Putman in 1964, the song gained widespread popularity through versions by artists such as Porter Wagoner and Tom Jones before Elvis made it his own. Elvis recorded his rendition during a session at RCA Studio C in Hollywood on March 10, 1975. This recording period was part of a creative push for the Today album, showcasing Elvis’s evolving interpretations of deeply emotional and narrative-driven material.
The song tells a bittersweet tale of nostalgia and longing. It begins with the protagonist vividly imagining a return to their idyllic hometown, surrounded by loved ones and cherished memories. However, as the story unfolds, it reveals that this happy reunion is only a dream. The protagonist awakens in a confined, likely prison-like, environment, awaiting their final moments. Despite the somber twist, the song finds solace in the thought of reuniting with loved ones, even in death, symbolized by the titular “green, green grass of home” as a resting place.
Elvis’s version brings a rich emotional depth, blending his signature vocal warmth with the song’s reflective and mournful tone. His performance underscores the themes of memory, loss, and hope that resonate universally. This track stands as a testament to Elvis’s ability to convey complex emotions, making it a memorable addition to his extensive catalog of recordings
Video:
Lyrics:
“Green, Green Grass Of Home”
As I step down from the train,
And there to meet me is my mama and 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 homeYes, they’ll all be there to meet me,
All creatures smiling sweetly
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home
The old house is still standing,
Though the paint is cracked and dry
And there’s an old oak tree that I used to play on
Down the lane I’ll walk with my sweet Mary
Hair of gold and lips like cherries
It’s good to touch the green, green grass of home
Then I awake and look around me
Cold gray walls surround me
And I realize that I was only dreamin’
There’s a guard and there’s a sad old padre
Arm and arm we’ll walk at daybreak
Again I’ll touch the green, green grass of home
Yes, they’ll all be there to meet me
In the shadow of that old oak tree
As they lay me beneath the green, green grass of home