Illinois

Dan Fogelberg · Triple Feature [2009]

Dusty day dawning

Three hours late

Open the curtains

And let the rest wait



My mind goes running

Three thousand miles east

I may miss the harvest

But I won't miss the feast



And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

Illinois, oh, Illinois, Illinois



South California

Your sun is too cold

It looks like your hills

Have been raped of their gold



I should have come out

When I was first told

This lamb has got to

Return to the fold



And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

Illinois, oh, Illinois

Illinois, I'm your boy



Flat on the prairies

Soil and stone

Stretching forever

Taking me home



'Cause I've got a woman

Who waits for me there

And I need a breath of that

Sweet country air



And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

And it looks like you're gonna

Have to see me again

Illinois, oh, Illinois



Illinois, Illinois

Illinois, Illinois

Illinois, I'm your boy

Illinois by Dan Fogelberg

Dan Fogelberg's "Illinois" stands as a defining example of his signature acoustic storytelling, blending folk and country influences with a warm, nostalgic atmosphere. Recorded for the 2009 compilation Triple Feature, the track reflects Fogelberg's enduring ability to craft intimate narratives that resonate across generations. The song's gentle melody and lyrical focus on small-town life exemplify the broader appeal of his discography, which includes iconic works like "Same Old Lang Syne" and "Run For The Roses." Released during a period where Fogelberg continued to release curated collections of his catalog, "Illinois" serves as a testament to his mastery of the acoustic guitar and his capacity to evoke deep emotion through simple, relatable themes. It remains a staple in his body of work, celebrated for its melodic clarity and emotional sincerity.