The Ballad Of Sally Rose
Harris Emmylou Lyrics
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He promised her the world but they never got that far
For he was last seen in that '59 DeSota
When Sally was born in the black hills of Dakota
She was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation
Raised with a proud but a wandering heart
And she knew that her roots were in the old reservation
But she had stars in her eyes and graeter expectations
No rings on her fingers no bells on het toes
With bugs on her headlights
And runs in her hose
Through the valley of the shadow of Roosevelt's nose
Adios, South Dakota, adios Sally Rose
They've got a national monument carved out of stone
On the side of a mountain where her forefathers roamed
Playing cowboys and Indians right under the nose
Of Theodore Roosevelt and the sweet Sally Rose
So she left Rapid City in the blue moonlight hour
With her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor
And turnin' the dial she was pulled by the power
Of the word coming out of that broadcasting tower
The Ballad of Sally Rose tells the story of a woman named Sally Rose who was born in the Black Hills of South Dakota with a proud but wandering heart. Her father promised her mother the world, but they never got far as Sally's father was last seen driving away in his '59 DeSota before Sally was born. Sally was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation and raised with knowledge of her roots being in the old reservation. However, Sally had greater expectations and stars in her eyes, desiring to leave her hometown and make something of herself. She left Rapid City with her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor, pulled by the power of the word coming out of the broadcasting tower.
The song shows Sally as a symbol of self-reliance and determination, someone who had ambition and wanted to make a life outside of where she was born. The lyrics suggest that Sally left her hometown to pursue her dreams and desires, to carve out her own path in life. Sally is an inspiring figure showing that one can make a life for oneself, regardless of where they come from, with determination and self-belief.
Line by Line Meaning
Her mama picked him up in south Minnesota
Sally Rose's mother met her father in southern Minnesota
He promised her the world but they never got that far
Her father promised great things, but their relationship never took off
For he was last seen in that '59 DeSota
Her father's last known vehicle was a '59 DeSota
When Sally was born in the black hills of Dakota
Sally Rose was born in the Black Hills region of South Dakota
She was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation
As a member of the Sioux community, Sally Rose was born into a community with a tragic history
Raised with a proud but a wandering heart
Despite being proud of her Sioux heritage, Sally Rose had a restless spirit
And she knew that her roots were in the old reservation
Despite her restlessness, Sally Rose knew her heritage was rooted in the Sioux reservation
But she had stars in her eyes and graeter expectations
Despite her knowledge of Sioux heritage, Sally Rose dreamed of greater opportunities
No rings on her fingers no bells on het toes
Sally Rose had no signs of wealth or status
With bugs on her headlights
Her car was not in great condition
And runs in her hose
Her stockings had runs, making her appearance less than ideal
Through the valley of the shadow of Roosevelt's nose
Traveling near Mt. Rushmore, where Theodore Roosevelt's face is carved into the mountain
Adios, South Dakota, adios Sally Rose
Sally Rose said goodbye to South Dakota as she set off on a journey
They've got a national monument carved out of stone
Mt. Rushmore, featuring the faces of American presidents, is a national monument
On the side of a mountain where her forefathers roamed
Sally Rose's forefathers lived and traveled through the Black Hills region of South Dakota
Playing cowboys and Indians right under the nose
The forefathers of Sally Rose likely played cowboys and Indians near where Mt. Rushmore is today
Of Theodore Roosevelt and the sweet Sally Rose
Both Theodore Roosevelt and Sally Rose are now a part of South Dakota's history
So she left Rapid City in the blue moonlight hour
Sally Rose left Rapid City, SD late at night, under the glow of the moon
With her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor
Sally Rose was determined to reach her destination as quickly as possible
And turnin' the dial she was pulled by the power
Listening to the radio, Sally Rose was enthralled by the music and the promise of new opportunities
Of the word coming out of that broadcasting tower
The messages being broadcasted gave Sally Rose hope for what lay ahead in her journey
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: EMMYLOU HARRIS, PAUL KENNERLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q
Lyrics:
Her mama picked him up in South Minnesota
He promised her the world but they never got that far
For he was last seen in that '59 DeSota
When Sally was born in the black hills of Dakota
She was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation
Raised with a proud but a wandering heart
And she knew that her roots were in the old reservation
But she had stars in her eyes and greater expectations
No rings on her fingers no bells on her toes
With bugs on her headlights
And runs in her hose
Through the valley of the shadow of Roosevelt's nose
Adios, South Dakota, adios Sally Rose
They've got a national monument carved out of stone
On the side of a mountain where her forefathers roamed
Playing cowboys and Indians right under the nose
Of Theodore Roosevelt and the sweet Sally Rose
So she left Rapid City in the blue moonlight hour
With her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor
And turnin' the dial she was pulled by the power
Of the word coming out of that broadcasting tower
@tahititoutou3802
This is but the first song of what I consider her best album ever. It is the album that made me discover her. In two ways ;
1° I had never heard of her before when I borrowed the vinyl at the municipal library, and
2° does she speak of Sally Rose or ...of herself in these songs? The 14 songs are not randomly picked but follow the chronological unfolding of a story. Whose story? Emmylou admits it is autobiographical.
The words of some of these songs are extremely deep, highly spiritual :
"As each long day rolls by and falls behind me
In the loneliness there's a peacefulness I find
Though I'm weary even then
When I rise to start again
There'll be a diamond, a diamond in my crown.
...I'll shall not disavow all these ties that bind me now
They'll be a diamond, a diamond in my crown
...the sorrows that I have known, I'll see them all be overthrown
They'll be a diamond, a diamond in my crown
Through the passing of the years I will grow stronger
Just as sure as this old world keeps spinnin' round
And the closer I will be to my sweetest victory
There'll be a diamond in my crown
(in "Diamond in my crown")
In a moment of deep distress that I lived, such lyrics were a motivator for me to hit the road again. Because the distress not directly expressed but so vividly implied in the first part of the album is followed by such a firm determination to live, to live fully, to live a useful life. And whatever one may go through, if one keeps on toward one's goal, the end will be an apotheosis, as expressed in the conclusion of this magnificent album :
"Oh my children
Sorrow shall come to each of us
All our triumphs will soon lay buried in the dust
Long forgotten...
But when the silver turns to rust
Love is found when the heart is lost."
For me, this album is THE masterpiece of country/western music.
@rebsarge
Just in case there's more out there whose high frequency hearing is as shot to hell as mine, here are the words to this magnificent song:
Her mama picked him up in south Minnesota
He promised her the world but they never got that far
For he was last seen in that '59 DeSota
When Sally was born in the black hills of Dakota
She was washed in the blood of the dying Sioux nation
Raised with a proud but a wandering heart
And she knew that her roots were in the old reservation
But she had stars in her eyes and graeter expectations
No rings on her fingers no bells on het toes
With bugs on her headlights
And runs in her hose
Through the valley of the shadow of Roosevelt's nose
Adios, South Dakota, adios Sally Rose
They've got a national monument carved out of stone
On the side of a mountain where her forefathers roamed
Playing cowboys and Indians right under the nose
Of Theodore Roosevelt and the sweet Sally Rose
So she left Rapid City in the blue moonlight hour
With her eye on the highway and her foot on the floor
And turnin' the dial she was pulled by the power
Of the word coming out of that broadcasting tower
@larrybeavens7580
I’m 76, and I’ve grown up and grown old with Emmylou’s music. I’m not sure a bigger fan exists on the planet. And of all her albums, The Ballad of Sally Rose sits atop the list of my favorites. I bought the vinyl LP when it first came out, I’ve taken care of it, and it still plays beautifully today. There’s just something special about this album; to me it shines a huge spotlight on Emmylou’s talent as a singer/songwriter. Her music has been with me throughout the ups and downs of adult life, through good times and bad. For that I am eternally grateful.
@rockerbox1973
I visited youtube to help forget this terrible virus that is affecting the world, I landed here to listen to the voice of an angel, thank you Emmylou, and may God bless you, Greetings from sweet old England...
@freeyourmind8305
First heard this song this week. Where the hell was I in 1985. What a wonderfull song. Straight into tears after all these years. Just wonderfull :-)
@tomp8094
What an amazingly talented songwriter and musician. She puts her heart and soul into every song she performs. I love her wistful and forlorn voice. Emmylou - you are the elder stateswoman of country music.
@gregwestermeier3892
What a beautiful pure voice...I could listen to her all day long..
@gwenbeauchamp1724
When I first heard this cassette, I could not hear it enough and memorized each song. Yes, It is underrated and will be one of history's best.
@hotajax
I'm with ya. Best CD I have in my collection. BTW, best artist, too.
@lnl3237
@hotajax Her pals, Linda Ronstadt and Dolly Parton, pretty darn good, too:)
@davesiler4064
The magnificent voice of an angel---she has no equals!!!!
@hotajax
Man, I just played this while I was listening with a great set of headphones. Heard all kinds of stuff I never heard on my car speakers. My new fav ELH song