GREEN GREEN GRASS OF HOME

I prefer the Burl Ives version...

I didn't like it when it came out in the 60's and dislike it even more since I saw Tom Jones in a life appearance at that time.

Thank you, Walter. That one never grew on me, either

Yeah, great minds etc. :wink:

This is the song I like the most from Tom Jones.

Interesting that people would be so enamored of a song about a depressed guy in jail about to be executed.
The damned thing is not exactly uplifting.


"Green Green Grass Of Home"

The old home town looks the same 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 home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me, arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
The old house is still standing tho' the paint is cracked and dry,
and there's that old oak tree I used to play on.

Down the lane I walk with my sweet Mary, hair of gold and lips like cherries.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to meet me, arms reaching, smiling sweetly.
It's good to touch the green, green grass of home.

[spoken:]

Then I awake and look around me, at four grey wall surround me
and I realize that I was only dreaming.
For there's a guard and there's a sad old padre -
arm in arm we'll walk at daybreak.
Again I touch the green, green grass of home.
Yes, they'll all come to see me in the shade of that old oak tree
as they lay me neath the green, green grass of home.

It is the way he sings it that counts.

It's actually an uplifting song. The guy was thinking of coming home to his family and friends but he's really awaiting his execution. He admits his mistake and takes the ultimate punishment but yet has in his mind that he will be coming to a "heavenly" home where he will be accepted from the people in his dreams.

I think this was the song that made Tom Jones become well known, it was his first hit.

Tom Jones actually made the song a hit. Dean Martin, Kenny Rogers, Burl Ives and the other lousy singers made the song dull and boring.

I always liked that song- comforting tune-but I have to say this is the first time I've ever been conscious of all the lyrics. I had no idea that's what it was about. I'll never hear it in the same way again.

I did not know that Kenny Rogers sang it too. He is one of my favorite singers like Tom Jones. Got to find in which CD.

Clearly, Jones sang his songs out of order. He should have started with Delilah before moving on to Green Green Grass of Home...

Lyrics for Delilah


I saw the light on the night that I passed by her window
I saw the flickering shadows of love on her blind
She was my woman
As she deceived me I watched and went out of my mind
My, my, my, delilah
Why, why, why, delilah
I could see that girl was no good for me
But I was lost like a slave that no man could free
At break of day when that man drove away, I was waiting
I cross the street to her house and she opened the door
She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my delilah
Why, why, why delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me delilah I just couldn't take any more[insert trumpet solo here]

She stood there laughing
I felt the knife in my hand and she laughed no more
My, my, my, delilah
Why, why, why, delilah
So before they come to break down the door
Forgive me delilah I just couldn't take any more
Forgive me delilah I just couldn't take any more


Well, one thing is clear at least..he is quite remorseful about having killed Delilah. Unfortunately as we learned in Green Green Grass... the judicial system didn't buy his crocodile tears.

I liked the song, Delilah too- though again, I think my mind just kind of edited out all the violence - I realized the singer was unhappy with her, but I didn't remember the whole deal with the knife, etc...I think I just latched on to the dramatic melody and it was probably about the time I was hearing the Samson and Delilah story in Sunday School- so I found it familiar on that level.

I have to admit though, I have always liked Tom Jones. Even as a little girl, which is when I heard these songs because my mom liked him too, and she used to play his records around the house. He always seems to pick songs with catchy melodies. Maybe that's why I always ignored the lyrics. This has been quite an edlightening thread.

Aidan, I am glad to find another fan of Tom Jones. I know him since I was a little girl, seeing him on his weekly TV show. I like Delilah too, just like you, because I knew about Samson and Delilah.

Tom has a very emotional way of singing and some of his songs are truly nice. It is the combination of lyrics, music and delivery that makes him different from other singers. I don't say he is exceptionally good, but he has his own special way.

I totally agree.

I really like the way he tries to stay current too. I don't know how old he is, but a few years ago he did one of my favorite Prince songs- and he actually did a really credible job of it.

He's definitely an original.

I have not heard his newer songs. There is a DVD, "At the Cardiff", did you see it? It is rather expensive so I haven't bought it yet.

One of his best songs is "Thunderball". It is the best James Bond song by far, in my opinion. What a booming voice!

No, I haven't seen At the Cardiff. The last one by him I bought he was backed by Jools Holland. It's kind of bluesy. It's good, or at least I like it, but I also like Jools Holland.

Have you ever seen him in person? I haven't, but I bet it would be a fun show.

No, I have never seen him in person. I only got an old DVD of him, they are excerpts from his old TV shows, so he is quite young on it. I don't remember he was like that at all, having seem him only as a young kid.

Yeah, it should be fun to watch him live. He is good-humoured and is pleasant with his audience.