During the 1980s, his reputation was established through frequent touring and recurring performances on A Prairie Home Companion. Subsequently, his work has been nominated for Grammy awards. He also founded his own record label and named it Red House Records after a home he lived in in Iowa. Red House Records is an independent record label specializing in folk music, based in St. Paul, Minnesota. Well known folk artists have signed with Red House Records over the years include Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Tom Paxton and Loudin Wainwright III. A Red House Records compilation, A Nod to Bob, was said to be a tribute from a Minnesota label to a favorite native son - guess who?
On November 21, 2002 he married the singer-songwriter Iris DeMent. His daughters (from a previous marriage) are also musicians.
From: Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Brown_%28folk_musician%29
Samson
Greg Brown Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
I have to go, I have to go
Your hair was long when we first met
Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
And went right back to bed
And history books forgot about us
And the Bible didn't mention us
The Bible didn't mention us
Not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first, I loved you first
Beneath the stars came falling on our heads
But there just told light, there just told light
Your hair was long when we first met
Samson came to my bed
Told me that my hair was red
He told me I was beautiful
And came into my bed
Oh, I cut his hair myself one night
A pair of dull scissors and the yellow light
And he told me that I'd done alright
And kissed me till the morning light, the morning light
And he kissed me till the morning light
Samson went back to bed
Not much hair left on his head
Ate a slice of wonderbread
And went right back to bed
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Yeah, we couldn't destroy a single one
And history books forgot about us
And the Bible didn't mention us
Not even once
You are my sweetest downfall
I loved you first
The lyrics of Greg Brown's song "Samson" depict a love story between the singer and the titular biblical character. The singer uses Samson's hair as a metaphor for trust; she loved him unconditionally, but in the end, she had to let him go and cut his hair. The line "beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth" can be interpreted as the singer's innermost thoughts and feelings, which she has never shared with anyone. The repetition of "you are my sweetest downfall, I loved you first" emphasizes the singer's unconditional love for Samson, and how she was willing to do anything for him, even if it meant sacrificing her own feelings.
The second verse is a continuation of the story, where Samson is depicted as a tired old man who has lost his strength and is content with his life. The singer reflects on how history and religion have forgotten about their love and their struggle. The repetition of "not even once" emphasizes the futility of their attempts to make history and be remembered. The last verse talks about how they couldn't bring the columns down, referring to the biblical story where Samson pulled down the pillars and brought down the Philistine temple. This could be interpreted as a symbol of their inability to make a lasting impact on the world they inhabited.
Line by Line Meaning
You are my sweetest downfall
You are the one thing that has caused my downfall, but you are also the sweetest and most important thing to me.
I loved you first, I loved you first
I fell in love with you before anyone else did and my love for you is pure and true.
Beneath the sheets of paper lies my truth
My true feelings and emotions are hidden beneath the surface, waiting to be uncovered and exposed.
I have to go, I have to go
I need to leave or say goodbye, even though it is difficult to do so.
Your hair was long when we first met
When we first met, your hair was long and beautiful, and you caught my eye.
Samson went back to bed
Samson, who represents strength and power, retreated and took a break.
Not much hair left on his head
Samson, who was known for his long locks of hair, has lost his strength and vigor over time.
He ate a slice of wonder bread
He ate something ordinary and unexciting, showing how his powerful status and influence have diminished.
And history books forgot about us
Our story and relationship were forgotten over time and not recorded in history books.
And the Bible didn't mention us
Our story, as significant and profound as it may have been, was omitted from the Bible and not recognized by a higher power.
Not even once
Our story was completely ignored and overlooked.
Beneath the stars came falling on our heads
We were together during a special moment, where we witnessed a beautiful and awe-inspiring event.
But there just told light, there just told light
Although the falling stars were beautiful and mesmerizing, they did not carry much significance or weight in the grand scheme of things.
Samson came to my bed
Samson and the power he represents, came to rest and seek comfort in the singer's bed.
Told me that my hair was red
Samson noticed and admired the singer's unique qualities and physical attributes.
He told me I was beautiful
Samson complimented and appreciated the artist's beauty and inner qualities.
And came into my bed
Samson and the artist had a romantic and intimate moment together.
Oh, I cut his hair myself one night
The singer took matters into her own hands and caused Samson's downfall, by cutting his hair that was once his source of strength and power.
A pair of dull scissors and the yellow light
The singer used simple and unsophisticated tools to accomplish her task, and the light represents the sudden change and realization of the consequences of her actions.
And he told me that I'd done alright
Despite the fact that the artist caused his downfall, Samson acknowledged and accepted her actions and their consequences.
And kissed me till the morning light, the morning light
Samson and the artist shared one last, bittersweet moment together before the morning came and reality set in.
Oh, we couldn't bring the columns down
Despite the strong bond and love between the artist and Samson, they were unable to change or overcome their circumstances.
Yeah, we couldn't destroy a single one
They were unable to make a significant impact or change in their situation, including the structure and status quo around them.
You are my sweetest downfall
The repetition of this line reinforces the idea that the artist's love for Samson brought about their downfall, but it was worth it because of the love they shared.
I loved you first
The final reminder of the singer's love for Samson, and how it was the beginning and end of their story.
Contributed by Kylie S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.