Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby
Emmylou Harris Alison Krauss & Gillian Welch Lyrics
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Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Your mama's gone away and your daddy's gonna stay
Didn't leave nobody but the baby
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Everybody's gone in the cotton and the corn
Didn't leave nobody but the baby
You're sweet, little babe (You're sweet, little babe)
You're sweet, little babe (You're sweet, little babe)
Honey in the rock and the sugar don't stop
Gonna' bring a bottle to the baby
Don't you, weep pretty babe (Don't you, weep pretty babe)
Don't you, weep pretty babe (Don't you, weep pretty babe)
She's long gone with her red shoes on
Gonna' need another lovin' baby
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
You and me and the Devil makes three
Don't need no other lovin' baby
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Go to sleep you little babe (Go to sleep you little babe)
Come and lay your bones on the alabaster stones
And be my ever-lovin' baby
The lyrics of Emmylou Harris's "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" tell the story of a baby left behind by its parents. The song is a lullaby sung by a caretaker trying to put the baby to sleep. The opening lines "Go to sleep you little babe, your mama's gone away and your daddy's gonna stay" establish the premise of the song. The baby's parents have left, and the caregiver is left to care for and soothe the baby.
The refrain "Didn't leave nobody but the baby" is repeated throughout the song and serves as a reminder of the precarious situation the baby finds itself in. The following verses describe how everyone has gone to work in the fields, leaving the baby alone. The line "Honey in the rock and the sugar don't stop, gonna' bring a bottle to the baby" could be interpreted as a promise to take care of the baby and keep it fed and happy.
In the final verse, the song takes on a slightly ominous tone with the mention of the Devil. However, the caregiver reassures the baby that they don't need anyone else, and they can be each other's companions.
Overall, the lyrics of "Didn't Leave Nobody But The Baby" tell a simple but poignant story of a baby left behind in difficult circumstances. The caregiver's gentle voice and calming words provide comfort to the baby, as well as a reminder that it is not entirely alone in the world.
Line by Line Meaning
Go to sleep you little babe
The baby is being put to bed and told to sleep.
Your mama's gone away and your daddy's gonna stay
The baby's mother has left, but the father is still present.
Didn't leave nobody but the baby
The baby is the only one left in the house.
Everybody's gone in the cotton and the corn
Everyone is out working in the fields.
You're sweet, little babe
The baby is addressed affectionately.
Honey in the rock and the sugar don't stop
The baby will be given a sweet treat.
Don't you, weep pretty babe
The baby is being comforted and told not to cry.
She's long gone with her red shoes on
The mother has left wearing red shoes.
Gonna' need another lovin' baby
The father may need someone else to love.
You and me and the Devil makes three
The father and baby are together, joined by a third entity or force that is perceived as sinister (the Devil).
Don't need no other lovin' baby
The father only needs the baby's love.
Come and lay your bones on the alabaster stones
The father wants the baby to lie down next to him on a white stone surface.
And be my ever-lovin' baby
The father wants the baby to be his forever and always be loved.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALAN LOMAX, GILLIAN HOWARD WELCH, SIDNEY CARTER, T-BONE BURNETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind