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.
New Orleans
Emmylou Harris Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The waters made a mighty sound
When the levees broke that day
Washin' all those souls away
The whole world stood to watch us drown
But we took it to a higher ground
It takes more than a hurricane
Long ago we broke the chains
In New Oreleans New Orleans
When Brother Bill and Sister Nell
Are singing like a ringing bell
Then you'll know all is well
In New Orleans New Orleans
Bring it all, fire and flood
Fill the rivers up with mud
To cut and run ain't in our blood
We are New Orleans
So baby let the life roll on
The blues were made to make us strong
We're walkin' in a brighter day
Nothin' can get in our way
The whole world stood to watch us drown
But we took it to a higher ground
Emmylou Harris's song "New Orleans" is a heartfelt tribute to the city that suffered immensely in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The song starts by describing how heavily it rained and how water made a mighty sound during the hurricane. Despite the whole world watching in dismay while the levees broke washing away many lives, the people of New Orleans took it to a higher ground. This line suggests that the people of New Orleans did not succumb to their fate but instead looked forward with optimism and strength to overcome the disaster that struck.
The second stanza talks about how it takes more than just a hurricane to empty out the Pontchartrain, alluding to the resilience of the city's people. The community has always been strong in the face of adversity and has a deep sense of history and culture. New Orleans is a city that broke off the chains of slavery long ago and is known for being a melting pot of diverse cultures. The verse "When Brother Bill and Sister Nell are singing like a ringing bell, then you'll know all is well," means that the soulful music of New Orleans is a testament to the city's resilience and determination.
The final verse is a message of hope and resilience. The people of New Orleans are tough and will not cut and run in the face of adversity. They are willing to take on any challenge, even a flood or fire, and keep moving forward. The line "The blues were made to make us strong," affirms that through their music, the people of New Orleans are able to endure pain and come out stronger.
Line by Line Meaning
My Lord how the rains came down
The start of the storm was a surprise and it rained heavily
The waters made a mighty sound
The storm and flood made a lot of noise
When the levees broke that day
The flooding got worse when the levees couldn't hold the water anymore
Washin' all those souls away
Many people were swept away and perished in the flood
The whole world stood to watch us drown
The catastrophe captured global attention
But we took it to a higher ground
Despite the chaos, we persevered and rebuilt our city
It takes more than a hurricane
New Orleans has weathered many storms and disasters
To empty out the Pontchartrain
Even after a hurricane, the canals and bayous still have water
Long ago we broke the chains
New Orleans has a history of overcoming adversity and inequality
In New Oreleans New Orleans
This is our city and we love it with all its flaws
When Brother Bill and Sister Nell
When we come together as a community
Are singing like a ringing bell
We are celebrating our culture and joy
Then you'll know all is well
We have overcome and we are thriving
Bring it all, fire and flood
We are prepared to face anything that comes our way
Fill the rivers up with mud
We are not afraid of hard work and toil
To cut and run ain't in our blood
We are resilient and will not abandon our city
We are New Orleans
We are proud of our city and its people
So baby let the life roll on
We keep moving forward and enjoying life
The blues were made to make us strong
We turn to music to help us heal and find strength
We're walkin' in a brighter day
The future is promising and we are optimistic
Nothin' can get in our way
We have overcome so many challenges and can handle anything
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: EMMYLOU HARRIS, WILL JENNINGS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind