She was r… Read Full Bio ↴Catie Curtis (born 1965) is an American singer-songwriter.
She was raised in the small city of Saco, Maine, and played her first performances there. She was originally a drummer, but later changed instruments to acoustic guitar.
After leaving Saco, she went to Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. While at college, she became involved in the local coffeehouse circuit. At the same time, Curtis worked as a waitress and social worker while continuing to write and perform.
She moved to Boston, Massachusetts in the early 1990s, after deciding to make a career out of music. She and her partner are married and have two adopted daughters.
Curtis has toured extensively in North America in support of her albums, including playing at several festivals, such as the Newport Folk Festival. She has also supported, among others, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, Girlyman and Bonnie Raitt. She also played on the final Lilith Fair tour.
Her songs have featured in Alias, Dawson's Creek, Felicity and Chicago Hope, as well as in several independent films. She won the Best Album Award from the Gay and Lesbian American Music Awards for her self-titled 1997 album. In 2006, she and Mark Erelli won the Grand Prize in the International Songwriting Competition for their song People Look Around, a song written in response to the hurricane Katrina disaster.
A film documentary on Curtis, entitled Tangled Stories, has been directed by Robert Millis. An interview with her is also featured on his current affairs program, American Microphone.
Elizabeth
Catie Curtis Lyrics
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At least two times a day
From hotels and truck stops
When I've been too long gone away
And I can see Cincinnati
From the Kentucky side
Though I can't walk between them
When I look out on the night
I see a slow train crossing the bridge
Over the Ohio river
She bends and she winds and she's taking her time
But nobody can stop her
From headlights through all ninety two box cars
She will not rest
And so too, I move toward you
My love, Elizabeth
You know I must be traveling
You know that's who I am
You knew it when you met me
And you knew it when we wed
I'd do anything to ease you now
You say, "Baby just hold on
Let's try a little patience
This longing's gonna make us strong"
And there's a slow train crossing the bridge
Over the Ohio river
She bends and she winds and she's taking her time
But nobody can stop her
From midnight through all hours 'till the morning
She won't rest
And so too, I move toward you
My love, Elizabeth
Steady and strong
On and on
My love
The song "Elizabeth" by Catie Curtis tells the story of a couple who are separated due to the demands of travel and work. The singer of the song talks to their partner on the phone twice a day from various locations, such as hotels and truck stops, and can see Cincinnati from Kentucky, but cannot walk to it. The singer compares their journey towards their partner to a slow train crossing the bridge over the Ohio river. The train is described as taking its time and unstoppable, much like the singer's journey towards their loved one. Despite the distance and challenges, the singer and their partner remain committed to each other, with their love serving as a steady and strong force.
The lyrics of the song suggest a sense of longing and a desire for connection that transcends physical distance. The slow train crossing the bridge acts as a metaphor for the singer's journey towards their partner, as they too move forward in their love. The reference to the Ohio river and Cincinnati also suggests a sense of place and nostalgia, as the singer is familiar with the area but cannot access it. The song's message ultimately celebrates the persistence of love and the power it holds over distance and time.
Line by Line Meaning
I talk to you on the telephone
I keep in contact with you regularly over the phone
At least two times a day
We talk more than once a day, without fail
From hotels and truck stops
I call you from various places where I have stopped for the night
When I've been too long gone away
I call you when I've been away from you for too long
And I can see Cincinnati
I have a clear view of Cincinnati
From the Kentucky side
I am currently in Kentucky and looking at Cincinnati from across the river
Though I can't walk between them
I can't physically cross the river to Cincinnati
When I look out on the night
At night, I look outside and see the view
I see a slow train crossing the bridge
I can see a train that is crossing a bridge
Over the Ohio river
The train is crossing the Ohio river
She bends and she winds and she's taking her time
The train is slow and winding as it crosses the bridge
But nobody can stop her
Despite her slow pace, the train cannot be stopped
From headlights through all ninety two box cars
The train is long and made up of 92 box cars
She will not rest
The train will keep moving without stopping
And so too, I move toward you
Just like the train moves toward its destination, I am moving toward you
My love, Elizabeth
This statement is directed at Elizabeth, the person being addressed in the song
You know I must be traveling
It's a given that I will be traveling
You know that's who I am
My identity is closely tied to my tendency to travel
You knew it when you met me
You were aware of my traveling nature when we first met
And you knew it when we wed
Even when we got married, my traveling habits did not change
I'd do anything to ease you now
I want to do what I can to make things easier for you
You say, "Baby just hold on
You are encouraging me to be patient
Let's try a little patience
We should both try to be patient in our situation
This longing's gonna make us strong"
This separation and longing will strengthen our relationship
And there's a slow train crossing the bridge
The train is once again mentioned as a metaphor for the situation
From midnight through all hours 'till the morning
The train crosses the bridge all night long
She won't rest
The train will keep moving without stopping, day and night
And so too, I move toward you
Just like the train moves toward its destination, I am moving toward you
My love, Elizabeth
This statement is directed at Elizabeth, the person being addressed in the song
Steady and strong
Together, we will remain steady and strong
On and on
We will continue on, without giving up
My love
This statement is directed at Elizabeth, the person being addressed in the song
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID HIRSCHFELDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind