John Denver – Take Me Home, Country Roads (Official Audio)
Inspiration Behind Take Me Home Country Roads:
While driving along Clopper Road in Maryland, songwriters Bill Danoff and Taffy Nivert were inspired to write Take Me Home, Country Roads. On the way to a family reunion, they began to create a song about winding country roads. However, since Maryland didn’t fit into their chorus, Bill and Taffy both imagined West Virginia to be just as beautiful. John Denver added his input as this song was later released in 1971.
Biblical Application:
In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him.5 The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land, Psalm 95:4-5.
Exegesis of Take Me Home, Country Roads:
Almost heaven, West Virginia
Blue ridge mountains, Shenandoah river
Life is old there, older than the trees
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze
Viewing the mountains from winding country roads provided heavenly views of Maryland, replaced by West Virginia. As someone who lives 5 miles from the Blue Ridge Mountains and drove by Shenandoah National Park every day after work, this area is beautiful.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, country roads
Imagery like a scene from the first Cars movie of the back roads. Seeing this scenery makes you want to find a place to call home.
All my memories gather ’round her
Miner’s lady, stranger to blue water
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky
Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye
Imagines of life in the mountains: coal mining, logging the mountains and moonshine. The sights of these mountains are breathtaking, making some emotional.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, country roads
Repeating the chorus. Embracing the mountains, calling this special place home.
I hear her voice, in the morning hour she calls me
Radio reminds me of my home far away
Who needs a television when you can look up at the mountains.
Driving down the road I get a feeling
That I should have been home yesterday, yesterday
There is something special about traveling through the mountains.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, country roads
Mountain mamma could refer to generations who refuse to move away from their home in the mountains.
Country roads, take me home
To the place I belong
West Virginia, mountain mamma
Take me home, country roads
Going back home brings back memories from your childhood.
Take me home, country roads
Take me home, country roads
The desire to go back where you grew up, eager to see how things have changed and how they have remained the same.
Final Thoughts:
My first teaching position was at a boarding school in the Monongahela National Forest. Living at a summer camp, students were removed from a bad home situation and were able to thrive without any distractions except the mountains. Sitting outside during limited free time, I began writing poetry, inspired by the scenery surrounding me. Before this semester ended, I even began writing songs, finishing 12 that were inspired by this beautiful setting in West Virginia.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 