This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Returning to solace
So sweet like honeysuckle on the tongue
The sound of silence blesses my ears
Enveloping like the earth I will one day lie in
Metropolis is bad to wither the soul
Roaring concrete and steel washes you in blood
So let you point and laugh
Provincial ain't so bad
Take me back down to where I belong
To rust in rivers
I do not covet any man's life
I know my place all too well
One man's paradise is another man's living hell
To each their own
Generations ago, made this place my own
The roots are deep and strong
Carry them wherever I go
Never wanted your approval
Never wanted your acceptance
Never wanted to be anything but me
Never wanted to be anywhere but here
Carry me southeast bound home
To speak in defense of our good name
Lay me to rest with my kin
In the ground of God's country
Lash out at any who would smear you with hate
Deify no one, never crawl ashamed
The past screams injustice on a southern night wind
Whips manacle chains, musket balls
A dark history never forgotten
Only misconception remains
Speak in defense of our good name
The blood of kin grants absolution
I'll join them soon enough in the ground of God's country
Speak in defense of our good name
The blood of kin grants absolution
I'll join them soon enough in the ground of God's country
Never wanted your acceptance
Never wanted your approval
Never wanted to be anything but me
Never wanted to be anywhere but right here
So sweet like honeysuckle on the tongue
The sound of silence blesses my ears
Enveloping like the earth I will one day lie in
Metropolis is bad to wither the soul
Roaring concrete and steel washes you in blood
So let you point and laugh
Provincial ain't so bad
Take me back down to where I belong
To rust in rivers
I do not covet any man's life
I know my place all too well
One man's paradise is another man's living hell
To each their own
Generations ago, made this place my own
The roots are deep and strong
Carry them wherever I go
Never wanted your approval
Never wanted your acceptance
Never wanted to be anything but me
Never wanted to be anywhere but here
Carry me southeast bound home
To speak in defense of our good name
Lay me to rest with my kin
In the ground of God's country
Lash out at any who would smear you with hate
Deify no one, never crawl ashamed
The past screams injustice on a southern night wind
Whips manacle chains, musket balls
A dark history never forgotten
Only misconception remains
Speak in defense of our good name
The blood of kin grants absolution
I'll join them soon enough in the ground of God's country
Speak in defense of our good name
The blood of kin grants absolution
I'll join them soon enough in the ground of God's country
Never wanted your acceptance
Never wanted your approval
Never wanted to be anything but me
Never wanted to be anywhere but right here
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