“You're moving on the back roads, By the rivers of my mem'ry, Ever smiling, Ever gentle on my mind”

song ~ “Gentle on My Mind”  
artist ~ Tammy Wynette  

It's knowing you don't try to bind my freedom with some promise made of gold
That for you my door stays open, and our love becomes a simple 2-way street
And it's knowing we're not shackled by forgotten words and bonds
And the ink stains that have dried upon some line
That keeps you on the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry
That keeps you ever gentle on my mind

It's not clinging to the rocks and ivy planted on some column now that binds us
Or something that somebody said because they thought we fit together walking
It's just knowing that the world will not be cursing or forgiving
When I'm driftin' through the market place and find
That you're moving on the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry
And for hours you're just gentle on my mind

Though the wheat fields and the clothes lines
And the junk yards and the highways come between us
And some other woman crying to her mother 'cause she turned and you were gone
I still might walk for hours, tears of joy might stain my face
And a summer sun might burn me till I'm blind
But not to where I cannot see you moving on the back roads
By the rivers flowing gentle on my mind

The shutters creak and autumn winds that make me draw inside myself in silence
Cross-legged now I sit and watch the endless chase of leaves across my yard
And layin' down my hair brush, I lean back within my window seat and find
That you're moving on the back roads by the rivers of my mem'ry
Ever smiling, ever gentle on my mind     _{(Image source)}

Comments 

Written by John Hartford, the genre-transcending classic “Gentle On My Mind”  was first covered by Glen Campbell in 1967. Since then, more than 300 artists have also covered it.  

No Burning Love

Unlike most love songs that relate tales of excitement and fiery passion, this song celebrates a calm, peaceful love. Even though the lovers are separated, they remain connected by their deep understanding and warm memories of each other.  

Smoldering Passion

In Tammy Wynette’s version, she changed the lyrics to make them a bit more suitable for a female protagonist. Instead of John Hartford’s bearded vagabond wandering around the country, Wynette gave us that man’s partner, who returns to her empty home, where she bides her time in solitude.

When the season turns cold and gray, she simply “draw(s) inside (her)self in silence”  and smiles, remembering that they share a quiet, gentle love.  

Top 10, Top 4, and Far Beyond

In 1968, “Gentle On My Mind”  won 4 Grammy Awards, under the banners of both folk music and country and western music (for versions other than this one by Tammy Wynette). That same year, 3 different covers of this song made it into the top 10 of the easy listening charts in the US.    

In 1990, Broadcast Music, Inc., ranked it the 4th-most-played song of all time in the US.       _{(Image source)}
Tammy Wynette – "Gentle on My Mind"  _{(Right-click to hear on YouTube)}
Lyrics by John Hartford, courtesy of – AZLyrics.com
References – Wikipedia

    A Compilation of My Previous – Lyrics Posts 3~30

    This is my entry in the 60-Day Lyrics Challenge.
    Click here to learn about @SteemitCentral’s – Lyrics Challenge.