Can anyone tell me what this song is about?
Who it was written for and why?
Thanks

Can anyone tell me what this song is about?
Who it was written for and why?
Thanks

Is it subtitled "Song for Stephen Foster"?

Yes it is

Yes it is

Doesn't anyone know this song's meaning? I grew up lisening to GL but it wasn't until I was older that I truly listened to the words and their meaning. I just recently purchased "If You Could Read My Mind" (which my father played when I was little) and I really like "Your Love's Return". I was hoping someone from this site would know the history behind this song. It is very touching.

Doesn't anyone know this song's meaning? I grew up lisening to GL but it wasn't until I was older that I truly listened to the words and their meaning. I just recently purchased "If You Could Read My Mind" (which my father played when I was little) and I really like "Your Love's Return". I was hoping someone from this site would know the history behind this song. It is very touching.

I don't know if this is really what's behind it, but it's an educated guess. Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864) was a composer (Oh Susanna, Beautiful Dreamer, and others). He also wrote "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair", a tribute to his wife, Jane McDowell Foster. Theirs was not a happy marriage, and they separated twice. Perhaps GL's song refers to the separation and some parallel event in his life. It may be all circumstantial evidence, but it's the best I can come up with. Hope it helps. I got my info from this site: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/foster/...p_jfoster.html

[This message has been edited by Brian 57 (edited June 09, 2002).]