Justin Townes Earle, born January 4, 1982 in Nashville, TN, was an American alt-country singer-songwriter who walked the line between old-time country and modern acoustic Indie music by breathing new life into early country, blues and gospel forms.
His first release, Yuma, in 2007 was a stark and beautiful set of songs written while Earle was fresh out of rehab and is now re-released by Bloodshot Records, who have a further three albums on their catalogue.
The Good Life, Midnight At the Movies (Americana award nominee) and the latest Harlem River Blues show Earle's characteristic charm, wit and rhythm to the forefront.
2009 saw him touring with Old Crow Medicine Show, The Felice Brothers and Gillian Welch/Dave Rawlings as a member of The Big Surprise tour and he has been touring solidly through 2010 making fans all along the way. In 2011, he received the Americana Music Award in the Song of the Year category for his "Harlem River Blues," from the album of the same name.
His fourth release "Nothing's Gonna Change the Way You Feel About Me Now", released in 2012 was met with critical acclaim, it was listed at #37 on Rolling Stone's list of the top 50 albums of 2012, saying "The son of country-rock renegade Steve Earle has grown into a songwriter to rival his dad."
Earle died on August 20, 2020, in Nashville, Tennessee, at the age of 38. His death was announced by his label on social media on August 23. The cause of death was not immediately announced, but Nashville police said they were investigating the death as a probable drug overdose. On December 1, 2020, Earle's family confirmed that he died from an accidental overdose of fentanyl-laced cocaine.
Harlem River Blues
Justin Townes Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound
I'm on a roll, mama, I gotta go
Gotta get there while I still can
Troubled days are behind me now
And I know they're gonna let me in
When you see me walkin' up the FDR
Just a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands
Tell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried
Give my money to my baby to spend
'Cause Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound
Good times come and they go
Even a good man'll break
He'll let his troubles bury him whole
Even though he knows what's at stake
So I'm taking no chances
Carrying over while I'm still good in His grace
Sayin' I'm no fool, mama
I know the difference between tempting and choosing my fate
So Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
Dirty water gonna cover me over
And I'm not gonna make a sound
The lyrics of Justin Townes Earle's song Harlem River Blues depict a man ready to leave all his troubles behind and ride the waves of life without looking back. The song starts with the singer proclaiming his intention to go uptown in Manhattan, to the Harlem River, to drown. In this case, drowning is a metaphor for leaving his burdens and worries behind as he enters a new chapter in his life. He believes that the dirty water of the river will cover him over, giving him a new start, and he won't make a sound. This phrase also means that he won't complain or look back on his past life anymore.
The singer mentions that he is going through a good time right now, but he knows it can change any time. Even if he faces troubled times again, he won't let them bury him whole. He wants to take his chances and enjoy his good in God's grace. He acknowledges that he knows the difference between what is tempting and what could decide his future.
Overall, Harlem River Blues is a song about leaving the past behind and starting anew. The singer expresses his determination to move forward and make a new beginning free of pains and regrets.
Line by Line Meaning
Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
I feel overwhelmed by my troubles and want to end my life by drowning in the Harlem River.
Dirty water gonna cover me over
I'm not afraid to die and be covered by the dirty water of the river.
And I'm not gonna make a sound
I've given up hope and don't want to cry out for help.
I'm on a roll, mama, I gotta go
I have made up my mind to end my life and nothing can stop me.
Gotta get there while I still can
I don't want to wait and change my mind, so I'm going now while I'm still sure.
Troubled days are behind me now
I've been through a lot of difficulties and don't want to face them anymore.
And I know they're gonna let me in
I believe that death will offer me peace and acceptance.
When you see me walkin' up the FDR
If you happen to see me walking by the highway, it's because I'm heading towards the river.
Just a-singin' and a-clappin' my hands
I'm trying to keep up a brave front to hide the pain I'm feeling.
Tell my mama I love her, tell my father I tried
I want my loved ones to know that I cared for them but could not handle my problems anymore.
Give my money to my baby to spend
I don't need my money anymore and want my child to enjoy it.
'Cause Lord, I'm goin' uptown to the Harlem River to drown
I'm repeating my decision to take my life.
Good times come and they go
I've had good times in my life, but they are over now.
Even a good man'll break
Even someone who tries to be good can become overwhelmed and give up.
He'll let his troubles bury him whole
Someone in distress can be completely consumed and overwhelmed by their problems.
Even though he knows what's at stake
Even if someone understands the consequences, they may still decide to end their life.
So I'm taking no chances
I don't want to risk surviving or failing in my suicide attempt.
Carrying over while I'm still good in His grace
I want to end my life while I still feel that God is on my side.
Sayin' I'm no fool, mama
I want my mother to know that I am making a rational decision, not a foolish or rash one.
I know the difference between tempting and choosing my fate
I understand the difference between feeling tempted to end my life and making a deliberate choice to do so.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Justin Townes Earle
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind