Song Details
- Album Release Date: 2012
- Genre: guitar
Song Meaning of “Ashokan Farewell” by Lloyd Green
‘Ashokan Farewell’ is an American folk song composed by Jay Ungar in 1982. The song is related to the farewells at the 1983 Ashokan fiddle and dance camp which he organized with his wife, Molly Mason. The song reflects on the bittersweet nature of leaving a beloved, warm, and comforting place.
The opening melody of the song is filled with a nostalgic wistfulness, beginning slow and calm like a nostalgic memory. As the melody builds, it conveys the pain and sadness of saying goodbye to a place that has brought so much joy and beauty. With heartfelt lyrics and emotive instrumentation, Ungar expresses the desire to stay and the difficulty of leaving.
The melancholic lyrics reflect the pain of saying goodbye to a place where one feels safe and content. Ungar recognizes the uncomfortable, yet necessary, transition from the comforts of familiarity to the unknown and uncertain. He conveys this transition with lines such as, “It’s time to say goodbye to Farley and all of her dreams, Ain’t no use in crying, it’s just the way it seems.” Ungar calls attention to the heartache of necessary endings, but acknowledges the beauty and richness of memories that come with it.
‘Ashokan Farewell’ is an anthem for those saying goodbye for the purpose of new beginnings. Through the poignant melody and carefully crafted lyrics, Jay Ungar has crafted a timeless song that conveys the bittersweet feelings associated with leaving a cherished place.