The song "Hometown" by Sarah Jarosz tells the story of a woman who returns to her hometown after leaving and experiencing life in other places. She reflects on how most people in her hometown never left and settled down in the same place, while she chose a different path. The woman sits alone on her back porch, drinking cold coffee and contemplating what makes a life complete. She wonders if it's the roads traveled and the people met or just the silence of the times in between. The lyrics describe the woman's feelings of nostalgia as she remembers her past in her hometown. She looks out at the cedars and the oaks, takes in the mourning dove's song beneath the blue sky, and is reminded of all the thoughts that led her out on that road without a doubt. However, somewhere along the way, those thoughts fizzled out and she found herself back in her hometown. Through the woman's experience, the song explores the idea of choosing one's own path and the possibility of coming full circle. The song's use of imagery, such as the light above the hills and the woman's mother singing beneath the blue sky, adds depth and emotion to the story. Ultimately, "Hometown" is a poignant reflection on what it means to leave and return to the place we call home.
