Led by Shirley, the original group which came to the attention of Atlantic president Rick Blackburn, consisted of guitarist Michael Lamb, Gates Nichols on pedal steel, keyboard player Chris McDaniel, Wayne Secrest on bass and Mark DuFresne on drums. Lamb left the group in 1995 and was replaced by Jimmy Dormire.
Despite Confederate Railroad's outward appearance as a tougher-than-leather Southern rock band, it was a reflective ballad which spoke of two old reliable loves which vaulted the group into stardom. "Jesus and Mama" entered the country chart during the warm months of 1992, and hit the Top Five that autumn.
Queen Of Memphis
Confederate Railroad Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought that big old city would ease my Georgia mind
After just one hour, I met a Southern girl
She said they call me the Queen of Memphis
And then she took me around the world
[Chorus]
I saw stars dancing on the water
That old muddy river was my witness
The night I fell in love with the queen of Memphis
I woke up the next morning a prisoner of her charms
She showed me things I'd never seen back there on that farm
She set my soul on fire, she completed all my dreams
A boy became a man that night in the arms of the Memphis Queen
[Chorus]
Just like that old man river she keeps rolling through my mind
And you know I won't forget her 'cause she was one of a kind
[Chorus]
The lyrics of Confederate Railroad's song "Queen of Memphis" narrate a young boy's journey from Georgia to Memphis, seeking solace in the city's charm from his rural upbringing. In just an hour, he meets a girl who introduces herself as "The Queen of Memphis" and takes him on a whirlwind journey of the city. The singer reminisces about the night he fell in love with her, waking up the next morning as a prisoner of her charms. She showed him things he had never seen before, setting his soul on fire, and completing his dreams.
The metaphorical language used in the song breathes life into Memphis's characteristics, absorbing the listener into an immersive experience of the city. The stars dancing on the water and hearing Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes create a romantic atmosphere that captures the feeling of falling in love in Memphis. The Queen of Memphis's presence is personified like the river, constantly rolling through the singer's mind, leaving an unforgettable impression on him.
Line by Line Meaning
I hitchhiked up to Memphis, a young boy in my prime
As a young man, I decided to venture to Memphis and see what the city had to offer.
I thought that big old city would ease my Georgia mind
I hoped that Memphis would provide some relief from the struggles of Georgia life.
After just one hour, I met a Southern girl
Shortly after arriving in Memphis, I encountered a young woman from the South.
She said they call me the Queen of Memphis
The woman introduced herself as the widely-known and respected "Queen of Memphis."
And then she took me around the world
The Queen of Memphis later showed me all kinds of new and exciting experiences that I had never encountered before.
I saw stars dancing on the water
I witnessed a stunning display of cosmic beauty as the stars reflected off the water.
I heard Elvis singing Blue Suede Shoes
I listened as the famous musician Elvis Presley gave a live performance of his hit song "Blue Suede Shoes."
That old muddy river was my witness
The nearby river bore witness to the wondrous experiences that I shared with the Queen of Memphis that night.
The night I fell in love with the queen of Memphis
That particular evening was the one on which I realized I had fallen deeply in love with the Queen of Memphis.
I woke up the next morning a prisoner of her charms
The following day, I awoke helplessly spellbound by the attractive charisma that the Queen of Memphis radiated.
She showed me things I'd never seen back there on that farm
My experiences with the Queen of Memphis exposed me to things that I had never had the chance to witness on my family's farm.
She set my soul on fire, she completed all my dreams
The Queen of Memphis lit a flame within my soul and realized all of my aspirations and deepest desires.
A boy became a man that night in the arms of the Memphis Queen
As a result of our encounter, I underwent a profound personal transformation from immature youth to mature man.
Just like that old man river she keeps rolling through my mind
The Queen of Memphis remains an ever-present, memorable presence within my memories and thoughts.
And you know I won't forget her 'cause she was one of a kind
I will always carry memories of the Queen of Memphis with me because no one else quite compares to the unique individual she was.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID LOWELL GIBSON, KATHY LOUVIN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@windmillacres679
The South is a special place.
It's my home.
It's a place I love.
It's an area of wonderful people.
I've been up north.
Ive seen Chicago, Boston and New York.
Ive been to the west coast. San Diego, LA and San Francisco.
You can have them all.
There are no better people in this country than a bunch of southern good old boys.
Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and the hills of Tennessee.
Home of the finest people god has seen fit to put on this earth.
@windmillacres679
The South is a special place.
It's my home.
It's a place I love.
It's an area of wonderful people.
I've been up north.
Ive seen Chicago, Boston and New York.
Ive been to the west coast. San Diego, LA and San Francisco.
You can have them all.
There are no better people in this country than a bunch of southern good old boys.
Texas, Louisiana, Georgia and the hills of Tennessee.
Home of the finest people god has seen fit to put on this earth.
@dragonfireideas
This is the greatest chorus in country music history.
@traviscarr6536
You wouldn’t get off the ground in the music industry nowadays, no matter how much talent you had with a name like Confederate Railroad. Pretty sad society we live in these days.
@chadgale9305
Good band. Music doesn't sound like this anymore sadly. They put so much heart into the music.
@benjaminshuteii9773
Just saw Confederate Railroad on Saturday Feb 9th 2019 in a small backwoods bar in Cascilla Mississippi. Ole Danny Shirley still has it after all these years still as good of a great singer and entertainer as he was back in the early 90's. Down to Earth group of guys and great musicians
@ronpearre
i met these guys before they made it when they played every weekend at a TINY BAR in Augusta, Ga. that i barbacked at called SAFARI LOUNGE.. THOSE WERE THE DAAAAYS💯💯
@chuckheady6759
No
@MissRailfan
I saw these guys last yr for a charity truck show. They were awesome. 1st time seeing them.
@josephsmith5596
That’s so awesome.. love these boys
@josephsmith5596
I've never been to a concert but if these guys performed close to me, I'd go see em in a heartbeat