Homebound cover art

Homebound

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I started this song in 1979, at the Coast Guard training center in Petaluma. It was about two minutes on a Radio Shack cassette recorder, mostly a jam, and most of it didn't survive.

A couple of lines did. Forty-seven years later that couplet is still the outro, almost word for word. The title came out of 1979 too: "I'm going on my way back home to you my dear" became "I'm homebound."

Everything around it is new. New arrangement, new players, and a whole life's worth of miles in between.

Here is what survived.

I'm going on my way back home to you my dear. On my way... to you. So I'm going on my way back home to you my dear. It won't be long before I'm home, my dear. So put on them ole pinto beans, and cook up some ham for me. I'm coming... home to you.
Coast Guard training center, Petaluma, 1979 — Radio Shack cassette

Verse 1

Been driving through the night, chasing yellow lines Counting down the miles Every truck stop diner and these neon signs Just remind me what I'm heading for Got your letter in my pocket And your ring around my finger Telling me I'm almost home

Verse 2

Been working these long days, under the desert sun Miles keep rolling by Every road sign tells me I'm almost done with this lonesome highway calling my name Got your picture on my dash And your sweet voice in my head Saying "hurry home to me"

Chorus

I'm homebound, rolling down this interstate Homebound, can't afford to hesitate Every mile's a promise that I made to the one who's waiting there I'm homebound, and I'll soon be in your arms Homebound, safe from all these highway harms Nothing's gonna keep me from your charms 'Cause you're my everywhere

Verse 3

Remember last September when I had to leave You standing on that porch Said you'd wait for me, said you still believe That we could make it through another time apart Now the autumn leaves are falling And my heart is homeward calling Like a river to the sea

Chorus

I'm homebound, rolling down this interstate Homebound, can't afford to hesitate Every mile's a promise that I made to the one who's waiting there I'm homebound, and I'll soon be in your arms Homebound, safe from all these highway harms Nothing's gonna keep me from your charms 'Cause you're my everywhere

Bridge

Three months on the road Carrying this heavy load Of missing you each night But I can see those porch lights burning bright And I know you're waiting there With love beyond compare To welcome me back home

Chorus

I'm homebound, pulling in our gravel drive Homebound, never felt so much alive Every prayer and wish is gonna thrive Now that I'm finally here I'm homebound, and I'm right where I belong Homebound, this is where my heart stays strong You're the ending to my traveling song My reason, my everything

Outro

So put on those old pinto beans And cook up some ham for me 'Cause I'm finally home to you

Credits

Guitars, Lead guitar
Jon Griffin
12 string guitar
Charlie Morand (via Musiversal)
Bass
Bruno Migliari (via Musiversal)
Keys
Josué González (via Musiversal)
Drums
Adam Alesi (via Musiversal)
Background Vocals
Mason Douglas (via Musiversal)
Vocals
via Musiversal

Written by Jon Griffin. © 2026 HJJ Publishing. All rights reserved.