Immortalized in Lyrics: Stockbridge, MA - "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor

Interesting Places I've Photographed

Stockbridge, MA

"Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor

Topic: Immortalized in Lyrics

GPS: N42° 16.931; W073° 18.659

Quick Description: 

Snow in the Berkshire town of Stockbridge and the highway from Stockbridge to Boston (Mass Pike) evokes "Sweet Baby James" by James Taylor.

Long Description:

Just the mention of the beautiful, quaint, typical New England village of Stockbridge evokes the haunting words and melody of James Taylor's "Sweet Baby James". Stockbridge was the home of American artist Norman Rockwell who produced numerous paintings, with an Americana theme, for the cover of the Saturday Evening Post. The main street in Stockbridge was one of his favorite subjects and made Stockbridge famous. The coordinates for this Waymark will take you to this quintessential small town American street in Stockbridge opposite the Stockbridge General Store. The snow on the ground adds to the ambiance. Stockbridge is Exit 1 on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Boston is about 130 miles to the east.

James Taylor was born in Massachusetts and he knows the geography. He has spent a lot of time in Stockbrige in Berkshire County. Every year he performs at the Tanglewood Music Festival.


Written and performed by James Taylor

"Well, there is a young cowboy he lives on the range
His horse and his cattle are his only companions
He works in the saddle and he sleeps in the canyons
Just waiting for Summer, his pastures to change

And as the moon rises he sits by his fire
Thinking about women and glasses of beer
And closing his eyes as the dogies retire
He sings out a song which is soft but it's clear
As if maybe someone could hear

(Chorus)
Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rock-a-bye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rock-a-bye sweet baby James

Now the first of December was covered with snow
And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
Lord, the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting
With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go

There's a song that they sing when they take to the highway
A song that they sing when they take to the sea
A song that they sing of their home in the sky
Maybe you can believe it if it helps you to sleep
But singing works just fine for me

- Chorus -
So, Goodnight you moonlight ladies
Rock-a-bye sweet baby James
Deep greens and blues are the colours I choose
Won't you let me go down in my dreams
And rock-a-bye sweet baby James"

Musician: James Taylor Name of Song: Sweet Baby James Relevant Verse: "Now the first of December was covered with snow And so was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston Lord, the Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting With ten miles behind me and ten thousand more to go"