Big River
Big River's Heartbreak Journey: Love Lost along the Mighty Mississippi
Lyrics
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry,
Metaphorically claiming to have taught nature to express sorrow.
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
Symbolizing hiding emotions and creating a facade.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Expressing intense emotional pain caused by a woman.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
Commitment to stay in misery until death.
I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).
Encountering a woman in St. Paul, Minnesota by chance.
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl.
Pain caused by the woman's Southern accent.
Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport,
Discovering the woman's involvement with someone else.
And I followed you, Big River, when you called.
Choosing to follow the river (Big River) in pursuit of the woman.
Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).
Traveling to St. Louis as directed by the river.
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
Finding out the woman has left St. Louis.
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.
Tracking the woman to Memphis.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.
Noticing the woman's unconventional behavior and independence.
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on.
Asking the river to proceed to Baton Rouge and continue the search.
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.
Instructing the river to take the woman to New Orleans.
Go on, I've had enough; dump my blues down in the gulf.
Expressing a desire to let go of the emotional burden.
She loves you, Big River, more than me.
Acknowledging the woman's affection for the river over the speaker.
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
Repeating the metaphor of teaching nature to cry.
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
Reiterating the act of concealing true feelings.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Emphasizing the overflowing emotions for the woman and the river.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
Reaffirming the commitment to endure suffering until death.
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