In the fifties after many failed attempts to sell his songs, he finally was signed up with Capitol Records and recorded a few rock and roll songs without much chart success. Just before he was drafted into the Army, he wrote a song called 'The All American Boy' and did a demo for his friend, Bill Parsons, to learn and record it. Instead of using the version Bill Parsons did later, the record company, Fraternity Records, decided to use the original demo done by Bobby Bare. The record reached number 2 on the Billboard Top 100, but it was wrongly credited to Bill Parsons.
His real big break came when RCA boss and guitarist Chet Atkins signed him to the RCA label. The first song he released on this label, 'Shame On Me', sold nearly a million copies and pushed Bobby Bare to fame overnight. His second RCA release, 'Detroit City' won him a Grammy for the best song of the year. Then a surge of hits followed, including '500 Miles Away From Home', 'Four Strong Winds' and others. He has also recorded two very successful albums with Skeeter Davis and has also dueted with Lacy J. Dalton and Rosanne Cash and additionally had a major hit as part of a trio with Norma Jean (singer) and Liz Anderson in 1967 titled 'The Game of Triangles'.
He moved to Mercury label in 1970 and had two big hits from early Kris Kristofferson compositions, 'Come Sundown' and 'Please Don't Tell Me How The Story Ends' before returning to RCA label where he produced his own records. Later Bare moved to CBS label and in 1979, he helped establish Rosanne Cash's career by singing with her on "No Memories Hangin' Round". Bare's singles for Columbia Records included 'The Jogger', 'Tequila Sheila', 'Gotta Get Rid Of This Band', 'When Hippies Get Older' and 'Numbers'. He later recorded for EMI with little success.
Bobby Bare is a versatile singer, and in the 70s started to release novelty songs recorded live with selected audiences. One of such songs, 'Marie Laveau' about a witch, reached the number one position on the country chart. This song was written by his friend, a very talented song writer, poet, author and cartoonist Shel Silverstein. He also penned many other songs for Bobby Bare including a Grammy nominated hit called 'Daddy What If' which he recorded with his five year old son, Bobby Bare Jr, who later became a star on his own. Bobby Bare later recorded a very successful album with his family and penned mainly by Shel called 'Singing in The Kitchen'. It was nominated for best group category in Grammy Awards but was declined by Bobby himself.
He later took chances recording strange, controversial material as 'Dropkick Me Jesus (Through The Goalposts Of Life)' (a 1976 Grammy nominee) and the expletive-driven 'Redneck Hippie Romance' with much success.
Bobby Bare is also the first to come up with a concept album called 'Bird Named Yesterday' which was very successful. His most successful concept album is 'Lullaby Legends and Lies'.
Bobby Bare was also given an opportunity to star in the movies. He did a Western with Troy Donahue called A Distant Trumpet, and a few episodes of a TV series called No Time for Sergeants. He turned his back on Hollywood to pursue his career in Country Music.
In 1998 he formed the band Old Dogs together with his friends Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Waylon Jennings.
In addition to the above, Bobby Bare is credited for introducing Waylon Jennings to RCA. He is also one of the first to record from many well known song writers such as Jack Clement, Harlan Howard, Billy Joe Shaver, Mickey Newberry, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and many others. He later had a TV series called 'Bobby Bare & Friends, A Song Writer Showcase'. Recently, he has recorded a new album after over 20 years called 'The Moon Was Blue' produced by his son. His son, Bobby Bare, Jr., is also a musician.
Marie Laveau
Bobby Bare Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Is Marie Laveau, down in Louisiana
There's a lot of weird ungodly tales about Marie,
She's supposed to have a lot of magic potions, spells and curses....
Down in Louisiana, where the black trees grow
Lives a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
Got a black cat's tooth and a Mojo bone
And anyone who wouldn't leave her alone
She'd go another man done gone
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog
She's got a bent, bony body and stringy hair
If she ever seen why'all messing round there
She'd go another man done gone
And then one night when the moon was black
Into the swamp come handsome Jack
A no good man like you all know
He was looking around for Marie Laveau
He said Marie Laveau, you handsome witch
Give me a little a little charm that'll make me rich
Give me a million dollars and I tell you what I'll do
This very night, I'm gonna marry you
Then It'll be another man done gone
So Marie done some magic, and she shook a little sand
Made a million dollars and she put it in his hand
Then she giggled and she wiggled, and she said Hey, Hey
I'm getting ready for my wedding day
But old handsome Jack he said goodbye Marie
You're too damned ugly for a rich man like me
Then Marie started mumbling her fangs started gnashing
Her body started trembling and her eyes started flashing
And she went another man done gone.
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
If she ever asks you to make her your wife
Man, you better stay with her for the rest of your life
Or it'll be another man done gone
Bobby Bare's song, "Marie Laveau," is about the legendary voodoo queen of New Orleans, who is said to have lived in the early 19th century. The song describes Marie Laveau as a powerful voodoo practitioner with a variety of magical potions, spells, and curses at her disposal. The lyrics suggest that Marie Laveau lived in the Louisiana swamps with a collection of unusual creatures, including a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog. The song recounts the story of a man named Jack who visits Marie Laveau to ask for a charm that will make him rich. She agrees, but when he calls her ugly and leaves her, she uses her powers to make "another man done gone."
Line by Line Meaning
The most famous of the voodoo queens that ever existed
Marie Laveau is considered the most well-known of all voodoo queens.
Is Marie Laveau, down in Louisiana
Marie Laveau is located in Louisiana.
There's a lot of weird ungodly tales about Marie,
Marie Laveau's reputation is shrouded with strange and supernatural stories.
She's supposed to have a lot of magic potions, spells and curses....
Marie Laveau is believed to have a wide array of magical abilities, including potions, spells, and curses.
Down in Louisiana, where the black trees grow
Marie Laveau is located in Louisiana where there are many dark and eerie trees.
Lives a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
Marie Laveau resides in Louisiana and practices voodoo.
Got a black cat's tooth and a Mojo bone
Marie Laveau has a black cat's tooth and a Mojo bone, both of which are used in voodoo spells and magic.
And anyone who wouldn't leave her alone
If someone bothered her, Marie Laveau would take action.
She'd go another man done gone
Marie Laveau has the power to conduct magic that can make someone disappear if they bother her.
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log
Marie Laveau's home is located in a swamp, inside a hollow log.
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog
Marie Laveau shares her home with an unusual one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog.
She's got a bent, bony body and stringy hair
Marie Laveau has a curved, bony figure and thin, unkempt hair.
If she ever seen why'all messing round there
If Marie Laveau ever caught someone bothering her, she would take action and make them disappear.
And then one night when the moon was black
During a dark night, under a black moon,
Into the swamp come handsome Jack
A man named Jack came into the swamp where Marie Laveau lived.
A no good man like you all know
Jack is a notoriously untrustworthy man.
He was looking around for Marie Laveau
Jack was searching for Marie Laveau.
He said Marie Laveau, you handsome witch
Jack tauntingly called Marie Laveau an attractive witch.
Give me a little a little charm that'll make me rich
Jack desired a magic charm that would make him wealthy.
Give me a million dollars and I tell you what I'll do
Jack offered to marry Marie Laveau for a million dollars.
This very night, I'm gonna marry you
Jack planned to marry Marie Laveau immediately if she gave him the money.
Then It'll be another man done gone
If Marie Laveau gave Jack the money and they married, another man would disappear.
So Marie done some magic, and she shook a little sand
Marie Laveau performed a magic ritual, holding a little sand in her hands.
Made a million dollars and she put it in his hand
Marie Laveau magically gave Jack a million dollars.
Then she giggled and she wiggled, and she said Hey, Hey
Marie Laveau laughed and danced, exulting in her successful magic.
I'm getting ready for my wedding day
Marie Laveau was excited for her upcoming marriage to Jack.
But old handsome Jack he said goodbye Marie
After getting the money, Jack left Marie Laveau.
You're too damned ugly for a rich man like me
Jack insulted Marie Laveau, claiming she was too unattractive for him.
Then Marie started mumbling her fangs started gnashing
As a result of her anger and retaliation, Marie Laveau's teeth were grinding, and she was mumbling with fury.
Her body started trembling and her eyes started flashing
Marie Laveau's body began to shake, and her eyes lit up with fury.
And she went another man done gone.
Marie Laveau used her powers to make Jack disappear.
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
If someone goes down to Louisiana and encounters the eerie trees,
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
They may come across Marie Laveau, a well-known voodoo practitioner.
If she ever asks you to make her your wife
If Marie Laveau requests marriage from someone,
Man, you better stay with her for the rest of your life
That person would be wise to stay with her for life, or else they may disappear like the other men.
Or it'll be another man done gone
If someone doesn't accept Marie Laveau's proposal, they may disappear.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Baxter Taylor, Shel Silverstein
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@oldmanballer5088
Down in Louisiana, where the black trees grow
Lives a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
She got a black cat's tooth and a Mojo bone
And anyone who wouldn't leave her alone
She'd go... another man done gone
She lived in a swamp in a hollow log
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog
Bent, bony body and stringy hair
And if she ever seen y'all messin' 'round there
She'd go... another man done gone
And then one night when the moon was black
Into the swamp came handsome Jack
A no good man like you all know
Lookin' around for Marie Laveau
He said, "Marie Laveau, you lovely witch
Gimme a little charm that'll make me rich
Gimme a million dollars and I tell you what I'll do
This very night, I'm gonna marry you"
Then It'll be (uhh), another man done gone
So Marie done some magic, shook a little sand
Made a million dollars and she put it in his hand
Then she giggled and she wiggled, and she said, "Hey, Hey
I'm gettin' ready for my weddin' day"
But old handsome Jack said, "Goodbye Marie
You're too damned ugly for a rich man like me"
Marie started mumblin', her fangs started gnashin'
Her body started tremblin', and her eyes started flashin'
And she went... another man done gone
So if you ever get down where the black trees grow
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
If she ever asks you to make her your wife
Man, you better stay with her for the rest of your life
Or it'll be... another man done gone
(Aah we'll see)
(Another man done gone)
Source: Musixmatch
Songwriters: Shel Silverstein / Baxter Taylor
@sheilameeks4858
My late husband used to sing this all the time. ESPECIALLY when we were dating and freshly married back in 1984. I thought he had made the song up, or had simply lost his mind. However, I liked it anyway. I never listened to country music back then, as I was strickly a rock and roll fan. Then, on pur way to work one afternoon, )he had control of the radio that day), the song actually came on!!!! I was floored!! Cool song! My Uncle lives just outside New Orleans, so when we went down to visit him, I asked about Marie Laveaux. He said she was a very famous witch years and years ago. He even took me by a store that was in her name...I refused to go in because I was skerred!!
@TaylorTaller
My dad, who is almost 50, used to sing this to me when I was little! He even did the "eeeee-owww!" part! Hahaha, it reminds me of him! (:
@josephrader2611
Great memories to hold on to
@frankgonzalezofficial3010
Lol my dad did also. He used to pause so I could go eeeeeowwww.
@tonypacheco2318
Dislikes =little or no musical incline...
@d.b.cooper8379
This song was when I was in High school in East Texas and I now live in NH
@m.b.8417
Dude same! My dad and I would listen to this song on a CD he burned!
@lisanelson2150
They just played this at my Uncle Bills funeral last Saturday. Who just happened to be from Louisiana!! Without a doubt Uncle Bill was looking down from the heavens having a good laugh!! That would so be Uncle Bill!! I thank you for being a stand up guy who's smile and sence of humor, lit up the stars and skys which brought us all a brighter today, yet even a brighter tomorrow. Enjoy eternity with the love of your life now, which you most certainly deserved. You are loved and missed by many! RIP
@honestj820
Hello how are you doing?😊
@leslievincent8565
Where has this song been all my 57 years of life??? I love it!!