The tag may also refer to The Highwaymen.
Big River
Highwaymen Lyrics
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And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Then I heard my dream was back downstream Cavortin' in Davenport
Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I found her trail in Memphis but she just walked up the block
Raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
She loves you, Big River, more than me
The lyrics of the song 'Big River' by Highwaymen tell the story of a man who is desperately searching for a woman who has left him. The singer has been all over the country, following the river and looking for the woman who he had met in St. Paul, Minnesota. He has taught the weeping willow how to cry, and how to cover up a clear blue sky with clouds because he is so heartbroken. He is crying for the woman he has lost, and he promises that his tears will flood the Big River. He is so sad that he plans to sit by the river until he dies.
The singer met the woman accidentally and was immediately drawn to her Southern drawl. However, she left him and he has been looking for her ever since. He followed the Big River to St. Louis and Memphis, but she was not there. He hopes that she is in New Orleans with the River Queen, and he tells the river to take her there. He knows that the woman loves the river more than him, and he is resigned to his fate.
The song's lyrics are straightforward and descriptive but with a deep emotional impact. The theme of unrequited love and the haunting refrain of "Big River" is both nostalgic and mournful. It speaks to the human experience of losing someone to circumstances out of one's control and the longing for closure.
Line by Line Meaning
Now I taught the weeping willow how to cry
I have felt immense heartbreak and sorrow, and because of my own pain, I have projected those emotions onto nature.
And I showed the clouds how to cover up a clear blue sky
My personal heartache has been so intense that even the world's natural beauty has become obscured in the face of it.
And the tears that I cried for that woman are gonna flood you Big River
My feelings for this woman run so deep that they will ultimately have a profound effect on everything and everyone around me.
Then I'm gonna sit right here until I die
I am so consumed by my emotions that I cannot move forward from this spot.
I met her accidentally in St. Paul, Minnesota
I encountered this woman unexpectedly and without intention in a specific location.
And it tore me up every time I heard her drawl, Southern drawl
Her distinct way of speaking caused me intense emotional pain every time I heard it.
Then I heard my dream was back downstream Cavortin' in Davenport
Despite the pain she caused me, I could not stay away from her and traveled to follow her as she moved along the river.
And I followed you, Big River, when you called
I am so fixated on this woman that I was willing to follow the course of a powerful body of water to be near her.
Then you took me to St. Louis later on down the river
The woman I was following led me to St. Louis along the river.
A freighter said she's been here but she's gone, boy, she's gone
I encountered a ship along the river that had seen her, but she had already moved on.
I found her trail in Memphis but she just walked up the block
I picked up her trail in Memphis, but she had only been there briefly before moving on.
Raised a few eyebrows and then she went on down alone
Her behavior was unusual, and it garnered attention, but she continued on without me.
Now, won't you batter down by Baton Rouge, River Queen, roll it on
I implore the personification of the river itself to continue flowing towards Baton Rouge.
Take that woman on down to New Orleans, New Orleans
I urge the river to deliver her to New Orleans.
Go on, I've had enough, dump my blues down in the gulf
I have been consumed by sadness for too long, and I am asking the river to take away all the pain I feel.
She loves you, Big River, more than me
Despite my obsession with and devotion to this woman, she loves the river more than she loves me.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: JOHNNY CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@veldagreen4325
And the harmonica player should be given several awards!
@23Josilee
Mikey Raphael, with Willie's band for many years ( or so I've read).
@Gripenace
He is awesome with the train whistle sound ❤
@matias79
Don't forget Reggie Young! the great guitarist in the back, is one of the stars in this concert.
@mikewitcombe6507
Reggie was an absolute legend!! 🤟
@henrymalama9810
His skills can never be appreciated enough
@swaangreen9188
He never has missed a note.
@josephvanover1157
I was hoping I wasn't the only one familiar with Reggie. Got his start with Buddy Holly. So did Waylon really.
@qjudge959
Reggie probably played on more great recordings than any man alive.
@FireBallZ24Gaming
Being 32 and finding Mr. Cash then following his lead to this group, I missed out on the best era of music. 1960’s - 1990’s.