Big River
Big River's Love Journey: A Southern Tale of Heartache and Longing
Lyrics
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry,
Expresses the speaker's influence on nature, using personification to describe teaching a weeping willow to cry.
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
Continues the personification theme, claiming credit for teaching clouds to obscure a clear sky.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Connects personal emotions ("tears") to the river, suggesting that the river will be overwhelmed by the speaker's emotional turmoil.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
Resolves to remain in a desolate state until death, indicating the depth of the emotional impact.
I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota).
Recounts a chance meeting with a woman in St. Paul, creating a geographical setting for the narrative.
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl.
Expresses the emotional impact of the woman's Southern accent on the speaker.
Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport,
Refers to a dream about the woman being downstream in Davenport, prompting the speaker to follow the Big River.
And I followed you, Big River, when you called.
Reiterates the speaker's commitment to follow the river's course in pursuit of the woman.
Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river).
Details a journey to St. Louis, revealing disappointment as the woman has moved on.
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone.
Reports information from a freighter about the woman's presence but emphasizes her absence.
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block.
Traces the woman's path to Memphis, where she attracts attention by walking alone.
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone.
Describes the woman's actions raising speculation and then continuing her journey alone.
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on.
Uses the metaphor of "battering down" to request the river to reach Baton Rouge, suggesting urgency in following the woman.
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans.
Instructs the river to take the woman to New Orleans, accepting the inevitability of her departure.
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf.
Expresses a sense of resignation, asking the river to carry away the speaker's emotional pain.
She loves you, Big River, more than me.
Acknowledges the woman's love for the Big River, implying that the river holds more significance for her than the speaker.
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
Repeats the actions of teaching the weeping willow and covering the sky, emphasizing the speaker's influence on nature.
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky.
Reiterates the connection between the speaker's tears and the impending flood of the Big River.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River.
Restates the emotional impact on the river, emphasizing the speaker's determination to remain in a desolate state.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die.
Affirms the resolution to stay in the current emotional state until death.
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