Tupelo Honey

Album: Tupelo Honey (1971)
Charted: 47
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Songfacts®:

  • "Tupelo Honey" is an unreserved, typically mystic take on the domestic happiness Morrison had found since he'd married his wife Janet. They'd met during his time with the Irish R&B band Them. She'd already been his muse for several of Morrison's earlier songs.
  • Tupelo honey is honey made from the sweet flowers of the tupelo tree, which grows abundantly in swampy areas of the Southern United States. >>>
    Suggestion credit:
    Wayne - Crockett, TX
  • There are allusions to early America and the Boston Tea Party in this song:

    You can take all the tea in China
    Put it in a big brown bag for me
    Sail right around the seven oceans
    Drop it straight into the deep blue sea


    And

    You can't stop us on the road to freedom
    You can't stop us 'cause our eyes can see


    The Irish Troubles were still raging when this song was written, and it's important to view it as the song of an artist who was a product of that situation. Freedom was surely heavy on Van's mind.
  • This song plays at the conclusion of the 1997 film Ulee's Gold, which stars Peter Fonda as a beekeeper who makes Tupelo Honey.
  • On the season 3 Friends episode "The One With the Princess Leia Fantasy," Ross calls this the most romantic song ever, while Rachel argues for "The Way We Were."

Comments: 5

  • Randy from FlaThis song is so dear to me it reminds me of a very special friend Patty McDaniels and her loving family . Thank you Van the MAN !!!
  • Ted Folwarczny from Butler, PaI recognize that the origin of a true artist's inspiration is personal, and therefore somewhat sacrosanct; yet, the images that he/she have often transcend their original vision. "They can't stop us on the road to Freedom; They can't keep us 'cause our eyes can see" are words that should inspire every generation. If so, we may just get there. If I don't see it, maybe my children, or their children will.
  • Alberta from MtLove the lyrics and the bluesy sound! Yes indeed!
  • John P Obie from Marco Island It is about civil rights The word Honey was code to the slaves and it meant freedom. Read the words again it is about the freedom riders and the fight for civil rights. Van stated this in an interview once beautiful song
  • Nikki from Ny, FlMy wedding song, I danced to with my mom and also my dad. They danced to it with me when I was a baby and I played it at my daddy's funeral :( LOVE IT more than words can express. Love Van Morrison always xoxo
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