Discover the heart-wrenching strains of 'Lexington Blues,' a poignant song performed in the classic style of Bill Monroe. This heartfelt track captures the bittersweet emotions of revisiting a hometown filled with memories, yet devoid of joy. With its relatable themes of nostalgia and regret, 'Lexington Blues' resonates with anyone who has ever left a place they once called home.
(Verse 1)
There’s a town I pass once or twice a year,
Where the faces are friendly, but the feeling’s unclear.
From the old sale barn to the co-op line,
Folks know my name, but I’m just passing time.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Verse 2)
My granddaddy’s farm still stands in the sun,
But I worked those fields and never had fun.
They call me a city boy, though I grew up here,
This town’s too small, yet too big for me, I fear.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Bridge)
The church bell still rings, and the courthouse still stands,
But the feeling I get, I just don’t understand.
It’s too far from the city, but it ain’t small and sweet,
Just a place in between where old memories meet.
(Verse 3)
I left years ago, and I don’t look back,
But sometimes I wonder what it is that I lack.
I don’t want to remember, don’t want to forget,
I love this old town, but it’s filled with regret.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Outro)
So here’s to Lexington, where I used to roam,
But now I find peace far away from home.
Chords not available
Beat not available
**Lexington Blues**
(*In the style of Hank Williams Sr.*)
**(Verse 1)**
There's a little ol' town where I used to stay,
But I packed up my bags and I went away.
From the sale barn south to the county line,
Folks wave at me, but I ain't got the time.
**(Chorus)**
Oh, Lexington, you’re a name I can’t shake,
But you ain't the home I thought you'd make.
I come through now, but it don’t feel the same,
I just pray nobody remembers my name.
**(Verse 2)**
Granddaddy’s farm's still sittin’ out there,
But workin' those fields just wasn’t fair.
They called me city boy, though I lived right here,
Now I can't find nothin' worth holdin' dear.
**(Chorus)**
Oh, Lexington, you’re a name I can’t shake,
But you ain't the home I thought you'd make.
I come through now, but it don’t feel the same,
I just pray nobody remembers my name.
**(Bridge)**
The church bell rings, but it don’t call me,
The town's still standin', but I ain't free.
Too big for comfort, too small for pride,
Now I’m runnin' fast with nowhere to hide.
**(Verse 3)**
I come back once, maybe twice a year,
But the reasons why never feel too clear.
I don’t wanna stay, but it’s hard to go,
Lexington’s a place I’m better off not knowin’ no more.
**(Chorus)**
Oh, Lexington, you’re a name I can’t shake,
But you ain't the home I thought you'd make.
I come through now, but it don’t feel the same,
I just pray nobody remembers my name.
**(Outro)**
So here’s to you, where I used to roam,
But now I find peace far away from home.
On Sep 20, 2024, at 3:59 PM, Jarred McAdams <[email protected]> wrote:
Here’s a simplified draft with more of a Bill Monroe-style feel, using straightforward language and universal themes:
Lexington Blues
(In the style of Bill Monroe)
(Verse 1)
There’s a town I pass once or twice a year,
Where the faces are friendly, but the feeling’s unclear.
From the old sale barn to the co-op line,
Folks know my name, but I’m just passing time.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Verse 2)
My granddaddy’s farm still stands in the sun,
But I worked those fields and never had fun.
They call me a city boy, though I grew up here,
This town’s too small, yet too big for me, I fear.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Bridge)
The church bell still rings, and the courthouse still stands,
But the feeling I get, I just don’t understand.
It’s too far from the city, but it ain’t small and sweet,
Just a place in between where old memories meet.
(Verse 3)
I left years ago, and I don’t look back,
But sometimes I wonder what it is that I lack.
I don’t want to remember, don’t want to forget,
I love this old town, but it’s filled with regret.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you once were the best.
But every time I return, it’s just not the same,
I hope nobody there remembers my name.
(Outro)
So here’s to Lexington, where I used to roam,
But now I find peace far away from home.
On Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 3:57 PM Jarred McAdams <[email protected]> wrote:
Lexington Blues
(To the tune of Sharecropper’s Son)
(Verse 1)
There’s a place I go once or twice a year,
I love it and dread it when I have to come near.
From the sale barn down south to the north side of town,
Folks would come from Myles around.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you’re the place I like best.
But when I go back, it just ain’t the same,
I hope nobody remembers my name.
(Verse 2)
Grandaddy was the big man, ruled this place,
I’d nod and smile, but couldn’t recall a face.
They all knew me, but I didn’t know them,
Now I fear the “Hey there, remember when?”
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you’re the place I like best.
But when I go back, it just ain’t the same,
I hope nobody remembers my name.
(Bridge)
Caywood and Church Street, that Walmart sign,
First Baptist, the pool, they’re all etched in my mind.
Daddy’s farm where I labored, though I hated the chore,
Being called a city boy, when this town was no more.
(Verse 3)
A small town they say, but it never felt right,
Not the court square dream, nor city lights.
A hundred miles to the airport, but nowhere to fly,
I left long ago, and I won’t tell you why.
(Chorus)
From the north to the south, from the east to the west,
Oh, Lexington, you’re the place I like best.
But when I go back, it just ain’t the same,
I hope nobody remembers my name.
(Outro)
So here’s to Lexington, forever my home,
Where I’m recognized, though I roam.
I don’t want to remember, don’t want to forget,
It’s a love I can’t shake, but I ain’t back yet.
On Fri, Sep 20, 2024 at 3:55 PM Jarred Mcadams <[email protected]> wrote:
Bluegrass song about Lexington
Little town going nowhere
Grandaddy was the big man in town
Everybody knew me but I didn’t know them
Afraid of being recognized
Don’t Want to remember, don’t want to forget
From the sale barn down south to the north side of town.
People would come from Myles around
From the north to the south, from the east to the west
Oh Lexington, you’re the place I like best
Prompt: a song about the singer’s hometown , which they left and never returned to. It’s in the style of a heartfelt tribute to the town they love, but actually it’s full of backhanded compliments that are actually veiled insults, explaining the singers reasons for leaving the town in the first place.
Rhyme idea: shame, and name, or same.
When I go back the place just ain’t the same, I hope nobody there remembers my name. If anybody recognizes me won’t that be a shame
Roughly to the tune of sharecropper’s son.
The singer has left the town many years ago, and only comes back occasionally to visit family. They don’t keep in touch with any of their old friends, and live in fear of somebody recognizing them and saying hello. They’re afraid that somebody will recognize them, but they won’t recognize the person, and it’ll be embarrassing.
There’s a place that I go once or twice a year.
I love it and dread it when I have to come back here.
The people all know me, but I don’t know them.
Something something something rhymes with them
Things and places to reference:
Start a bulleted list: sale barn, Grecia, Lexington, high school, the city limits, the co-op, the county, county schools, Caywood, Church Street, Broad Street, Walmart, big star , the city pool, first Baptist Church, daddy‘s farm,
Having to go work on the farm, even though I hated it.
Being called a city boy, even though I live in a small town.
Being a small town that doesn’t feel like a small town. It doesn’t have the quaint court square small town feel that you see in shows and books, but it’s also not a major city or close to a major city
Being 100 miles from the Airport
Court, Square
bill monroe