About the Song
For many music lovers of a certain age, the opening notes of “Greenfields” by The Brothers Four instantly transport them back to a simpler time. Released in 1960, this folk ballad became a major hit, capturing the hearts of listeners with its melancholic melody and poignant lyrics.
“Greenfields” paints a picture of a lost love, a yearning for a past that can never be recaptured. The song opens with a vivid description of a once idyllic landscape – sun-kissed fields, flowing rivers, and clear blue skies – all symbolic of a happy relationship. The lyrics then take a turn, lamenting the disappearance of these greenfields, mirroring the fading away of love.
The narrator, heartbroken and lost, searches for answers. The haunting refrain, “Where are the greenfields that we used to roam?” expresses a deep longing for what has been lost. But amidst the sadness, there’s a flicker of hope. The narrator continues to wait, believing that their lost love might one day return, and with it, the happiness symbolized by the greenfields.
The beauty of “Greenfields” lies in its simplicity. The folk ballad style, with its gentle acoustic guitar and four-part harmonies, perfectly complements the emotional weight of the lyrics. The Brothers Four’s smooth vocals deliver the message with sincerity, allowing listeners to connect with the story of lost love.
“Greenfields” transcended its time, becoming a staple of folk music and a touchstone for generations. It’s a song that resonates with anyone who has experienced heartbreak, reminding us that even in the face of loss, there’s always a place for hope and the possibility of finding happiness again.
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Lyrics: Greenfields
Once there were greenfields kissed by the sun;
Once there were valleys where rivers used to run;
Once there was blue sky with white clouds high above;
Once they were part of an everlasting love.
We were the lovers who strolled through greenfields.Greenfields are gone now, parched by the sun;
Gone from the valleys where rivers used to run;
Gone with the cold wind that swept into my heart;
Gone with the lovers who let their dreams depart.
Where are the greenfields that we used to roam?I’ll never know what made you run away.
How can I keep searching when dark clouds hide the day?
I only know there’s nothing here for me,
Nothing in this wide world left for me to see.But I’ll keep on waitin’ ’til you return.
I’ll keep on waiting until the day you learn
You can’t be happy while your heart’s on the roam.
You can’t be happy until you bring it home,
Home to the greenfields and me once again.