Buttermilk Grove
by Jimmy Buffett
I just started singing, I didn’t know the tune
I finally left the city I’m gonna make it back home by two
Upon my late arrival by the moonlight I could see
That the place I left so long ago still looks the same to me
Well the flowers still grow along side of Buttermilk Grove
And something in the air tells me the corn has just been sold
Been on my last subway, no more neon signs aglow
Oh I’m heading home to Buttermilk Grove
Now the sign above the general store tells me I’m not alone
And the number written on the wall right above the telephone
Brings my family running whether they be young or old
Oh, Jimmy’s coming home to Buttermilk Grove
There stands my lady, I miss that woman so
She’s coming here to kiss me, I can feel her through her clothes
She looks as good as ever if not better than my dreams
Ah it must have been a fever that made me leave her that’s what it seems
So tonight I’ll pick my banjo, its been so long since I played
And my lady she just loves it, at least that’s what she’ll say
I play it till my fingers bleed, until the neck is bowed
I’m coming home to Buttermilk Grove
And the flowers still grow along side Buttermilk Grove
Something in the air tells me the corn has just been sold
Been on my last subway, no more neon signs aglow
Oh I’m heading home to Buttermilk Grove.
I love this song. To my knowledge, it’s only been preformed once, and that was back in 1974. Thank the Gods someone had a tape of it. I love the feel of the song, it’s simplicity, it’s imagery, and the way it sounds.
The imagery that really kicks me is the fourth stanza, “She’s coming here to kiss me, I can feel her right through her clothes.” I know exactly what I’m thinking at that point, and it’s a wonderful thing.
