In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Big River
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota)
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport
Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river)
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
The lyrics to "Big River" by Asleep at the Wheel tell a story of unrequited love and the singer's journey in pursuit of a woman who has captured his heart. The first verse sets the stage, as the singer claims to have taught nature itself to express his heartache. He taught the weeping willow how to cry and showed the clouds how to hide a clear blue sky, symbolizing the depth of his sorrow. He declares that the tears he shed for this woman will overwhelm the Big River, emphasizing the intensity of his emotions and his determination to remain in that state until death.
In the second verse, the singer recounts meeting the woman by chance in St. Paul, Minnesota. Her Southern drawl captivated him and hearing that she was downstream in Davenport, he followed the call of the Big River. As he continues his pursuit, he arrives in St. Louis, only to discover that she has already moved on. He picks up her trail in Memphis, where she briefly draws attention from the locals before continuing her journey alone.
The final verse expresses the singer's resignation and acceptance of his unrequited love. He suggests that the woman and Big River continue their journey together, urging them to go on to New Orleans. He declares that he has had enough and asks for his blues to be dumped into the Gulf of Mexico, indicating his desire to let go of his pain. The song concludes with a repetition of the first verse, emphasizing the cyclical nature of his emotions and his commitment to remaining in his sorrowful state.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry
I experienced such deep emotions that even the willow tree began to weep along with me
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
My sadness was so overwhelming that even the vibrant sky became gloomy and obscured
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
The immense sorrow I shed for this woman will cause the river to overflow
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I will remain in this desolate state until the end of my days
I met her accidentally in St. Paul (Minnesota)
Our encounter was a happenstance in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Her Southern accent deeply affected me, evoking intense emotions
Then I heard my dream was back Downstream cavortin' in Davenport
I discovered that she had returned to Davenport, reveling in my dreamlike fantasies
And I followed you, Big River, when you called
Compelled by the river's beckoning, I pursued her along its course
Then you took me to St. Louis later on (down the river)
Subsequently, you led me to St. Louis, continuing our journey downstream
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
A vessel informed me that she had briefly been in this city before departing
I found her trail in Memphis, but she just walked up the block
I discovered traces of her presence in Memphis, but she had simply passed by
She raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
Her actions caused curiosity among the locals, and she continued her journey alone
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
River Queen, please continue your course and make your way through Baton Rouge with force
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Escort that woman to New Orleans, where she belongs
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
I implore you to proceed without me, as I have been burdened enough, allowing my sorrows to dissipate in the depths of the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me
It is evident that she holds a stronger affection for you, mighty Big River
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry, cry, cry
My emotional pain was so intense that I even instructed the willow tree on how to shed tears
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
My anguish was so consuming that I demonstrated to the clouds how to obscure the once radiant blue sky
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
The deluge of tears I wept for her will overwhelm and inundate the expanse of the Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I will remain stationary in this very spot until my ultimate demise
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Johnny R. Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.