In this song, Margaret Walker is expressing a deep connection to the southern way of life and the natural landscape of the region. She feels a strong sense of belonging to the South, with its warm climate, lush vegetation, and distinctive cultural traditions such as farming and hunting. Walker longs to return to her roots and escape from the urban environment of the North, where she feels disconnected from her true identity. She yearns for the open fields, the scent of fresh pine, and the freedom of the countryside. The song also touches on the racial tensions and hardships of living in the South, referencing the "Klan of hate," hounds, and chain gangs that have oppressed African Americans in the region. Overall, "Sorrow Home" is a powerful expression of longing for home and a yearning to be free from the barriers that keep her from embracing her true southern heritage.
