Harris is truly an innovator. For over 30 years, Emmylou has flowed effortlessly between genres achieving popularity in pop, folk, country and now alternative. The common bridge is an exquisite vocal style and a gift for discovering the heart of a song.
Born in Birmingham, Alabama on April 2, 1947, the daughter of Walter and Eugenia Harris grew up near Washington, D.C. As a college student in the late 60s, she sang with a local folk duo and eventually moved to Greenwich Village. She played the clubs on the local folk scene occasionally sharing the stage with Jerry Jeff Walker and David Bromberg.
Discovered in 1971 by Chris Hillman, Hillman brought Gram Parsons to hear her sing in a small club in the Washington D.C. area. In 1972, she answered the call from Gram to join him in Los Angeles to work on his first solo album, "GP." According to Songfacts, Parsons tragic early death in 1973 left Harris at an emotional and musical crossroads. Her earliest signature song, Boulder To Birmingham was written shortly after Gram's death, and it showed the depth of her shock and pain at losing her friend and mentor.
After the loss of Gram, Emmylou went back to the D.C. area and formed a country band, playing with them until her 1975 major label debut, Pieces of the Sky, when she formed the first version of the legendary Hot Band. Over the years the Hot Band included world class players such as Albert Lee, Rodney Crowell and Hank DeVito.
Emmylou has been called by Billboard Magazine a "truly venturesome, genre-transcending pathfinder." Throughout her career, she has been admired for her talent as an artist and song connoisseur, but it was with her 2000 album, Red Dirt Girl, for which Ms. Harris was awarded her tenth (out of eleven total to date) Grammy, that she revealed she is also a gifted songwriter. Continuing the trend with her September 2003 album, Stumble Into Grace, Emmylou wrote ten of the album's eleven tracks. Though Emmylou is the most admired and influential woman in contemporary country music, her scope extends far beyond it. She has recorded with such diverse artists as Ryan Adams, Beck, Elvis Costello, Johnny Cash, Lucinda Williams, Bob Dylan, Tammy Wynette, Neil Young, The Chieftains, Lyle Lovett, Roy Orbison, The Band, Willie Nelson and George Jones.
She sings with Dolly Parton and Linda Ronstadt on the incomparable albums Trio and Trio II, making all three artists living American legends.
A longtime social activist, Harris has lent her voice to many causes. She is active in cultural preservation issues, notably the Country Music Foundation and the Grand Ole Opry. As an animal rights activist and the owner of several dogs and cats, Emmylou also supports PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) and the Humane Society. Since 1997 she has been the most visible spokesperson for the Campaign for a Landmine Free World, drawing public attention and notable musical artists to the cause.
Black Hawk
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In a bookstore on St. Clair
While he pushed the burning ingots
In Dofasco stinking air
Where the truth bites and stings
I remember just what we were
As the noon bell rings for
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
Hold on to your aching heart
I′ll wipe the liquor from your lips
A small town hero never dies
He fades a bit and then he slips
Down into the blast furnace
In the heat of the open hearth
And at the punch clock he remembers
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
I remember your leather boots
Pointing up into the sky
We fell down to our knees
Over there where the grass grew high
Love hunters in the night
Our faces turned into the wind
Blackhawk where are you know
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
We were Blackhawk where are you know
We were Blackhawk where are you know
Do you still have the ring I gave you
On the banks of Lake Bear
Where I felt certain that I knew you
My cool and distant debonair
Now we drink at Liberty Station
Another cup of muscatel
Wrapped in the strong arms of the Union
Raisin' kids from raisin′ hell
In Emmylou Harris’s song "Black Hawk," the lyrics evoke a tapestry of memory, nostalgia, and the bittersweet emotional landscape of love and loss. The opening lines set the scene by contrasting two mundane yet grueling jobs: the singer's work at a bookstore and her partner's labor in a steel mill ("Dofasco stinking air"). This juxtaposition of environments serves as a backdrop against which the struggles and interplay of their lives unfold. The phrase "the truth bites and stings" suggests a recognition of the harsh realities of existence, coupled with a longing for something more profound than the banality of their daily routines. As the "noon bell rings," it signifies not only the passage of time but also a moment of reflection, recalling the characters’ past filled with passion, adventure, and the symbolism of "Blackhawk and the white winged dove," indicating a lost ideal or a cherished memory of freedom and beauty.
As the song progresses, it delves deeper into the emotional weight of their shared experiences. The singer encourages her partner to "hold on to your aching heart," suggesting that emotional pain is a part of love, and emphasizes a protective stance through the imagery of wiping "the liquor from your lips," which hints at struggles with substance or an escape from reality. The metaphor of a "small town hero" captures the essence of ordinary individuals whose lives may not be glorified in grand ways but carry a heroism in their perseverance. As the partner “slips down into the blast furnace," there is a somber recognition of how quickly ambitions and lives can fade amidst the grinding routines. Here, "Blackhawk and the white winged dove" serve as overlapping motifs of aspiration and loss, representing memories that linger as they confront the challenges of their present lives.
Throughout the verses, Harris invokes vivid imagery that emphasizes the intimacy and the physical, emotional connection shared between the two individuals. “I remember your leather boots pointing up into the sky” recalls moments of vulnerability and surrender beneath the vastness of their surroundings, a metaphorical contrast to their grounded existence in a small town. The line “love hunters in the night” captures their youthful passion and adventurous spirit, reflecting the exhilaration of love amidst the wildness of life’s uncertainties. The repeated refrain of "Blackhawk where are you now" echoes the sense of lost direction, encapsulating the search for meaning in a life lived amid the shadows of past joys and deeper responsibilities.
The final verses bring a sense of framing and closure, as they reminisce about a more innocent time "on the banks of Lake Bear," where deep connections were forged. The mention of a "cool and distant debonair" lends complexity to their relationship, suggesting a past filled with both enamoring charisma and emotional distance. Moving to its present state at "Liberty Station" highlights a transition; the mundane reality of raising children represents both a commitment and a tether to their former selves. The line “wrapped in the strong arms of the Union” can depict a broader metaphor of solidarity and shared struggle, while it simultaneously hints at the dynamics of family life intertwined with labor and community. Ultimately, "Black Hawk" becomes a resonant symbol of where they came from and the fragmentation of their original dream, encapsulating the essence of yearning, resilience, and the complexities of love that endure, even when faced with life’s formidable challenges.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I work the double shift
I spend long hours working two jobs to make ends meet, dealing with the strain and fatigue.
In a bookstore on St. Clair
I labor at a modest bookstore located on St. Clair Avenue, surrounded by literature and stories.
While he pushed the burning ingots
Meanwhile, he toils in a challenging environment, handling molten metal that is extremely hot and hazardous.
In Dofasco stinking air
In the industrial setting of Dofasco, where the air is thick with smoke and pollutants from the factories.
Where the truth bites and stings
In that harsh reality, confronting painful truths that can cause emotional discomfort.
I remember just what we were
I reflect nostalgically on our past identities and the connection we shared.
As the noon bell rings for
As the midday bell signals a break or transition in our routine.
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
Evoking memories tied to symbols of loss and divinity, representing love and innocence.
Hold on to your aching heart
Stay strong and endure your emotional pain, even as it feels heavy.
I′ll wipe the liquor from your lips
I will help you overcome your reliance on alcohol or escapism, providing support.
A small town hero never dies
Local legends and everyday heroes persist in memory and spirit, even after their physical presence fades.
He fades a bit and then he slips
Their essence may diminish over time, but they eventually leave this world.
Down into the blast furnace
Returning to dangerous or unforgiving environments, symbolizing a descent into hardship.
In the heat of the open hearth
Confronting the intense realities of life, where raw emotions are often forged.
And at the punch clock he remembers
While clocking in or out of work, he reflects on past moments and relationships.
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
Recalling those profound symbols of love and loss amidst his daily grind.
I remember your leather boots
I reminisce about your distinct style and presence, highlighting your strength.
Pointing up into the sky
Indicating aspirations and dreams, looking towards greater possibilities.
We fell down to our knees
Experiencing vulnerability and surrender in an emotional or spiritual moment.
Over there where the grass grew high
In a cherished memory of carefree days spent in nature, away from responsibilities.
Love hunters in the night
We were seekers of affection and passion during those youthful, adventurous times.
Our faces turned into the wind
Facing challenges head-on, embracing the elements despite their adversity.
Blackhawk where are you know
I search for you, longing for your presence and the bond we once shared.
Blackhawk and the white winged dove
The invocation of lost love and innocence continues to resonate throughout.
We were Blackhawk where are you know
Reiterating the quest for identity and the essence of what once connected us.
Do you still have the ring I gave you
I wonder if you still cherish the symbol of our love I once presented to you.
On the banks of Lake Bear
In a beautiful, peaceful setting where significant moments were shared.
Where I felt certain that I knew you
In that moment, I felt a deep understanding and connection with you.
My cool and distant debonair
Referring to how you carried yourself—charming yet somewhat aloof.
Now we drink at Liberty Station
In the present, we find ourselves at a casual gathering spot, reflecting on our lives.
Another cup of muscatel
Indulging in low-quality wine, perhaps suggesting a coping mechanism.
Wrapped in the strong arms of the Union
Finding comfort and support in community or solidarity with others.
Raisin' kids from raisin′ hell
As parents, we navigate the chaos of family life, filled with mischievousness.
Writer(s): Daniel Roland Lanois
Contributed by Mackenzie T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.