The song "Grandma's Feather Bed" by John Denver tells the story of the singer's childhood memories visiting his grandma's house. It describes the simple joys and happiness he experienced during those visits. In the first stanza, the singer reminisces about being a young boy and visiting Grandma's house regularly. They would enjoy delicious meals like chicken pie and country ham, with homemade butter on the bread. However, the highlight of these visits was Grandma's great big feather bed. The feather bed is nine feet high and six feet wide, incredibly soft and comfortable. It was made from the feathers of numerous geese and required a whole bolt of cloth for the ticking (the outer cover of the bed). The singer emphasizes how eight kids, four hound dogs, and even a pig they had stolen from the shed could fit on this bed. The second stanza shifts focus to after dinner activities. The family would gather around the fire, and the older folks would spit and chew tobacco. The singer's father would talk about the farm and his experiences in the war, while Grandma would sing ballads. The singer would become lost in the warmth and comfort of the surroundings, and often fall asleep in the feather bed. The chorus repeats the description of the feather bed and highlights the lack of sleep but abundance of fun they had during these visits to Grandma's house. In the final verse, the singer expresses his love for his family members and the fond memories shared with them. He mentions fishing with his uncle, wrestling with his cousin, and even kissing Aunt Lou. However, if he had to choose, he would trade them all, including the girl who lives down the road, for Grandma's feather bed. It shows the immense value and importance the bed holds in his heart. Overall, the song "Grandma's Feather Bed" is a nostalgic tribute to the singer's childhood and the love and joy experienced during visits to his grandmother's house. The feather bed symbolizes comfort, security, and the cherished memories of family and togetherness.
