Meaning of "Piney Wood Hills" by Buffy Sainte-Marie

The song "Piney Wood Hills" explores themes of longing for home and belonging. The protagonist reflects on their life journey and the many places they've wandered, but ultimately feels a strong pull back to their roots in the Piney Wood Hills. The hills symbolize a sense of comfort, familiarity, and identity that is deeply ingrained in the protagonist's being. Despite traveling far and wide, the protagonist yearns to return to the simplicity and authenticity of their home, where they feel a true sense of belonging. The repetition of the lines "I was raised on a song there, I done right, I done wrong there" emphasizes the complexity of the protagonist's relationship with their home and how it has shaped their identity.