Lucero – Back in Ohio (Official Lyric Video)
Inspiration Behind Back in Ohio:
Back in Ohio was inspired by the true story of William Morgan. This former paratrooper from Toledo, Ohio, went on to become a Cuban freedom fighter. Following a stint in prison, William wanted to free Cuba from its communist dictator, Fidel Castro. After Ben Nichols watched the 2015 PBS documentary American Comandante about William’s life and execution, he wanted to honor the life of a very interesting character.
Biblical Application:
If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them, James 4:17.
Exegesis of Back in Ohio:
On the open ocean
Sailing down to Cuba
Guns are in the galley
Someone’s gotta shoot ’em
William Morgan’s journey to become a freedom fighter in Cuba.
Away-away, oh
Destiny awaits
Sailing to redemption
They’ll miss you
Back home in Ohio
Back in Ohio
Morgan likely sailed to Cuba as commercial flights were prohibited. William was consumed by redemption. Perhaps, a going away party was thrown in Toledo, Ohio.
You threw knives in the circus
Now you’re fighting in the jungle
You’ve got babies in Miami
A rebel for a lover
One of William’s odd jobs in life. Fighting in the jungles of Cuba while his children and lover wait, living in Miami.
Away-away, oh
Destiny awaits
Sailing to redemption
But they’ll miss you
Back home in Ohio
Back in Ohio
The chorus is repeated. The way Lucero sings Ohio, the chorus only needs to be one line.
Looking down the barrel’s
Of 20 loaded guns
All the letters written
All the fighting’s been done
A man without a country
Ain’t getting out alive
They never collected the bounty
You’re still left to pay the price
Using what was learned in the PBS documentary to create an entire stanza about William Morgan.
Away-away, oh
Destiny awaits
Sailing to redemption
But they’ll miss you
Back home in-
Family and friends missed William, especially after receiving news of his death.
Away-away, oh
Your destiny awaits
You’re sailing to redemption
But they’ll miss you
Back home in Ohio
Redemption for Cuba is why he got on this sailboat.
Back in Ohio
Back in Ohio
Back in Ohio
Now he is back in Ohio.
Final Thoughts:
Since my parents spent ten years living in Ohio, I ended up doing my college internship just outside of Cleveland. I was informed of the Cuyahoga River fires but never heard about William Morgan. When you are passionate about a specific cause, you’ll lay down your life for what you believe in. This is the legacy of William from Ohio.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 