Galveston
Jimmy Webb Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴Galveston, oh Galveston
I still hear your sea winds blowing
I still see her dark eyes glowing
She was twenty-one
When I left Galveston

Galveston, oh Galveston
I still hear your sea waves crashing

While I watch the cannon flashing
And I clean my gun
And I dream of Galveston

I still see her standin' by the water
Standin' there lookin' out to sea
And is she waiting there oh for me?
On the beach where we used to run

Galveston, oh Galveston
I am so afraid of dyin'
Before I dry the tears she's cryin'
Before I see, your sea birds flyin'
In the sun at Galveston

At Galveston
Oh, at Galveston
Oh, at Galveston
At Galveston

Hmm, hmm, hmm
Ooh, ooh

Overall Meaning

The song Galveston by Jimmy Webb is a powerful narrative about a soldier who is fighting in the Vietnam War and missing his hometown in Texas. The soldier sings about how he can still hear the sea winds blowing and see the dark eyes of his lover. He left her behind in Galveston, Texas, when he joined the military. The soldier goes on to describe how he can still hear the sea waves crashing while he watches the cannon flashing, cleaning his gun and dreaming of being back in Galveston. He reminisces about his lover, seeing her standing by the water looking out to sea, waiting for him to return.

The chorus repeats the name Galveston several times, highlighting the soldier's longing for his hometown. He expresses his fear of dying before he can return to Galveston, noting how he wants to see the sea birds flying in the sun at Galveston. The song paints a vivid picture of homesickness and the horrors of war, as well as the strong emotional ties that exist to one's homeland.

In conclusion, Galveston is a poignant song with evocative lyrics that captures the powerful emotions of homesickness, longing and fear. It's a song that resonates with many people who have felt the pull of their hometowns or felt the overwhelming emotions of being separated from loved ones.

Line by Line Meaning

Galveston, oh Galveston
I still feel a strong emotional connection to Galveston, Texas.

I still hear your sea winds blowing
I can still hear the sound of the wind passing through the coastal city of Galveston.

I still see her dark eyes glowing
I have vivid memories of a woman I left behind, whose dark eyes continue to captivate me.

She was twenty-one
The woman I left behind was young, just twenty-one years of age.

When I left Galveston
This was the point in time when I departed Galveston.

I still hear your sea waves crashing
The roar of the waves on Galveston's shores still lingers in my mind.

While I watch the cannon flashing
As I perform my military duties, I am reminded of Galveston by the sight of flashing cannons.

And I clean my gun
I am currently busy with military tasks such as cleaning my firearm.

And I dream of Galveston
Despite being immersed in the military, I am preoccupied with thoughts of Galveston.

I still see her standin' by the water
I have a vivid memory of the woman I left behind standing near the water in Galveston.

Standin' there lookin' out to sea
She was looking out at the sea, and I wonder if she was waiting for me to return.

And is she waiting there oh for me?
An unanswered question circles in my mind as to whether she waits for my return.

On the beach where we used to run
Our memories together are kept alive by the beach in Galveston where we spent time running together.

I am so afraid of dyin'
My thoughts frequently turn to my own mortality, and I'm scared of death.

Before I dry the tears she's cryin'
Before I have a chance to comfort the woman I left behind, she might cry tears of sadness for my departure.

Before I see, your sea birds flyin'
My departure could occur before I have a chance to see the unique sea birds that populate Galveston.

In the sun at Galveston
I have fond memories of enjoying the sun on the beaches of Galveston.

At Galveston
My attachment to Galveston is strong and deeply felt.

Oh, at Galveston
The sentiment behind my connection to Galveston permeates everything I do.

Hmm, hmm, hmm
A reflective pause, indicating a mix of emotions that are hard to articulate.

Ooh, ooh
An expression of emotion, perhaps a longing for the past.

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Songtrust Ave
Written by: Jimmy L Webb

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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