"Sweet Home Alabama" - What does it really mean? [View all]

[DonaldsRump]

This is a great song. EXCEPT....

Except what does it really mean? I've understood that the song is actually critical of the worst things about this thing called "Alabama". But, I've seen contrary views too. Is this a paean to racism? Or is this an acknowledgement that Alabama ain't great, but neither is anything else. I really am not sure.

I am extremely interested in the discussion in song's Wikipedia page as to the issues between Neil Young and Lynyrd Skynyrd (see below). Apparently, the two actually were extremely fond of each other, which makes understanding this song even more difficult.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sweet_Home_Alabama

I had no idea that Alabama was in the national championship college football game (!), so perhaps this is somewhat timely?

All thoughts welcome! (Lyrics are below).

Lyrics

One, two, three

Turn it up

Big wheels keep on turnin'
Carry me home to see my kin
Singin' songs about the south-land
I miss Alabamy once again and I think it's a sin, yes

Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard ol' Neil put her down
Well I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don't need him around anyhow

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I'm comin' home to you

In Birmingham they love the governor (boo-hoo-hoo)
Now we all did what we could do
Now Watergate does not bother me
Does your conscience bother you?
Tell the truth

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama (oh yeah)
Lord I'm comin' home to you
Here I come, Alabama

Now Muscle Shoals has got the Swampers
And they've been known to pick a song or two (yes they do)
Lord they get me off so much
They pick me up when I'm feelin' blue
Now how about you?

Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord I'm comin' home to you
Sweet home Alabama (oh, sweet home)
Where the skies are so blue
And the governor's true
Sweet home Alabama (lordy)
Lord I'm comin' home to you, yeah, yeah
Montgomery's got the answer

Source: Musixmatch