About the song
John Denver’s “Grandma’s Feather Bed”. A song that evokes a simpler time, a time of childhood wonder and the warmth of family. Denver, a folk icon known for his odes to nature and Americana, takes us on a nostalgic journey in this delightful tune.
“Grandma’s Feather Bed” isn’t just about a piece of furniture, it’s a symbol. It represents the comfort and security of grandma’s house, a place where worries melt away and laughter fills the air.
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The lyrics paint a vivid picture – we can practically smell the chicken pie and country ham wafting from the kitchen, hear the crackle of the fire, and feel the softness of the gigantic feather bed, a monument of love and resourcefulness, filled with the feathers of “forty-eleven geese.”
This isn’t your typical feather bed, mind you. Denver describes it as “nine feet wide, and six feet high,” a fantastical creation that could hold a multitude – “eight kids and four hound dogs and a piggy we stole from the shed.”
It’s a playful exaggeration, hinting at the joyous chaos and overflowing hospitality of grandma’s home. Sure, sleep might be elusive with such a lively crew, but the memories made are priceless.
“Grandma’s Feather Bed” is more than just a memory lane stroll, though. It’s a celebration of family bonds. We hear about evenings spent fireside, listening to Grandpa’s tales of the farm and the war, and Grandma’s soothing ballads.
These simple traditions weave a tapestry of love and connection, shaping the narrator’s world view. The song ends with a heartfelt declaration: “Well I love my Ma, I love my Pa, I love Granny and Grandpa too.” It’s a reminder that even as we grow up and move on, the foundation laid in childhood, the warmth of family, remains a constant source of strength and love.
So, when you hear the first strum of the guitar in “Grandma’s Feather Bed”, settle in for a heartwarming journey. It’s a song that reminds us of the simple joys, the power of family, and the enduring comfort of a place called home.