Galveston Lyrics
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 cannons flashing I clean my gun and dream of Galveston
I still see her standing by the water standing there looking out to the sea
And is she waiting there for me on the beach where we used to run
Galveston oh Galveston I am so afraid of dying before I dry the tears she's crying
Before I watch your sea birds flying in the sun at Galveston at Galveston
[ guitar + strings ]
That's funny, I always thought of this as a Civil War soldier thinking of his girl back in Galveston. Guess it works equally well in Vietnam. War is war.
I agree, definitely pre-Vietnam -
I agree, definitely pre-Vietnam -
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing While I watch the cannons flashing I clean my gun and dream of Galveston
Galveston, oh Galveston, I still hear your sea waves crashing While I watch the cannons flashing I clean my gun and dream of Galveston
From songfacts.com -
From songfacts.com -
This was written by songwriter Jimmy Webb, who also wrote Campbell's hits "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman." Webb also wrote "MacArthur Park," which was a hit for both Richard Harris and Donna Summer, and "Up-Up and Away," which was recorded by The 5th Dimension.
This was written by songwriter Jimmy Webb, who also wrote Campbell's hits "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman." Webb also wrote "MacArthur Park," which was a hit for both Richard Harris and Donna Summer, and "Up-Up and Away," which was recorded by The 5th Dimension.
When we spoke with Jimmy Webb in 2011, he said: "Glen was very, very good at commercializing my songs. He could come up with great intros and great solos, great breaks, and he wrote perfect strings, because he wrote very...
When we spoke with Jimmy Webb in 2011, he said: "Glen was very, very good at commercializing my songs. He could come up with great intros and great solos, great breaks, and he wrote perfect strings, because he wrote very little. It was a minimalist approach and it just left Glen out there with the song and the guitar. I tended to write a little bit more as an arranger, and probably too much. So I could have done better to have stayed out of Glen's way, I think."
Webb was on a beach in Galveston when he wrote this. He made up the story about a soldier in the Spanish-American war and the girl he left behind. Most songwriters never find themselves in places like Galveston or Wichita, but Webb found inspiration in the people he encountered in these places.
The Vietnam War was going on when Campbell released this. It was considered an antiwar song.
This made the CMT Top Ten list of all-time great country music songs. (thanks, Charles - Charlotte, NC)
Little Richard, who speaks his mind and doesn't hand out praise lightly, said of this song: "When Glen Campbell says one word 'Galveston' - it shakes me up. It takes me, man, that's the whole soul of it right there."
Little Richard was always shaking;) ... Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On and Shake a Hand. Arrr Arrr Arrr
Little Richard was always shaking;) ... Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On and Shake a Hand. Arrr Arrr Arrr
This is a song about war, bot about Galveston. A soldier reminisces about last seeing his girlfriend at Galveston. He is now fighting in Vietnam and fears being killed.
From songfacts.com -
This was written by songwriter Jimmy Webb, who also wrote Campbell's hits "By the Time I Get to Phoenix" and "Wichita Lineman." Webb also wrote "MacArthur Park," which was a hit for both Richard Harris and Donna Summer, and "Up-Up and Away," which was recorded by The 5th Dimension.
When we spoke with Jimmy Webb in 2011, he said: "Glen was very, very good at commercializing my songs. He could come up with great intros and great solos, great breaks, and he wrote perfect strings, because he wrote very little. It was a minimalist approach and it just left Glen out there with the song and the guitar. I tended to write a little bit more as an arranger, and probably too much. So I could have done better to have stayed out of Glen's way, I think."
Galveston is a city on the coast of Texas that attracts lots of hurricanes. Webb was on a beach in Galveston when he wrote this. He made up the story about a soldier in the Spanish-American war and the girl he left behind. Most songwriters never find themselves in places like Galveston or Wichita, but Webb found inspiration in the people he encountered in these places.
The Vietnam War was going on when Campbell released this. It was considered an antiwar song. This made the CMT Top Ten list of all-time great country music songs. (thanks, Charles - Charlotte, NC) Little Richard, who speaks his mind and doesn't hand out praise lightly, said of this song: "When Glen Campbell says one word 'Galveston' - it shakes me up. It takes me, man, that's the whole soul of it right there."
It is a time capsule in terms of the haunting way in which strings and other sweeteners were used in the 60's hits. I grew up around the Houston/Galveston area and still reside here. Galveston does not have white sands and pristine beaches that I have seen other places, but it has a history and a magic all it's own. The song even has a video that accompanied it long before MTV ever existed,that is a must see if you appreciate history.
Great song and comments, especially the first one,very informative. The only thing I'd like to add is I think he's just as worried about losing his girl as much as his life while he cleans his gun and dreams of Galveston and the life he was forced to leave behind.
correct - an a very awsome song and performance