The Ballad of Sally Rose
Journey Through Dakota Dreams
Lyrics
Her mama picked him up in south Minnesota
Her mother met him in southern Minnesota.
He promised her the world but they never got that far
He promised her a bright future, but their plans didn't materialize.
For he was last seen in that '59 DeSota
He was last seen in a 1959 DeSota.
When Sally was born in the black hills of Dakota
Sally was born in the Black Hills of Dakota.
She was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation
She symbolically underwent a spiritual cleansing in the blood of the dying Sioux nation.
Raised with a proud but a wandering heart
She was raised with pride but had a restless spirit.
And she knew that her roots were in the old reservation
Her roots were in the old reservation.
But she had stars in her eyes and graeter expectations
Despite her heritage, she aspired for more, with ambitious dreams.
No rings on her fingers no bells on het toes
She had no commitment, symbolized by the absence of rings and bells.
With bugs on her headlights
Her car had mechanical issues, bugs on headlights.
And runs in her hose
Her stockings were imperfect, suggesting a less than perfect journey.
Through the valley of the shadow of Roosevelt's nose
A metaphorical journey through challenges, perhaps political (Roosevelt's nose).
Adios, South Dakota, adios Sally Rose
She bids farewell to South Dakota and herself (Sally Rose).
They've got a national monument carved out of stone
A monument commemorates her ancestors on a mountain.
On the side of a mountain where her forefathers roamed
Playing on the same land as their forefathers.
Playing cowboys and Indians right under the nose
Engaging in childhood games beneath the gaze of Theodore Roosevelt.
Of Theodore Roosevelt and the sweet Sally Rose
Connecting Sally Rose to the history of the land.
So she left Rapid City in the blue moonlight hour
She leaves Rapid City under the moonlight.
With her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor
Her focus is on the journey, speeding with determination.
And turnin' the dial she was pulled by the power
She is influenced by the messages from a broadcasting tower.
Of the word coming out of that broadcasting tower
The power of words guides her journey.
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