Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Moody River
Kitty Wells Lyrics
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Moody River your muddy water took my baby's life
Last Saturday evening I came to the old oak tree
That stands beside the river where you were to meet me
On the ground your glove I found with a note address to me
It read dear love I've done you wrong now I must set you free
No longer can I live with this hurt and this sin
Moody River more deadly...
I looked into the muddy water and what could I see
I saw a lonely lonely face just looking back at me
Tears in her eyes and the prayer on her lips
And the glove of her lost love at her fingertips
Moody River more deadly...
The lyrics of "Moody River" by Kitty Wells depict a tragic story of loss and betrayal. The song starts with the opening line "Moody River more deadly than the natalest night," which creates a dark and gloomy tone that sets the scene of the story. The next line, "Moody River your muddy water took my baby's life," reveals that the river is the cause of death of the singer's lover. The use of the word "muddy" portrays the river as murky and unclear, possibly symbolizing the unclear truth of the situation that led to the death.
The second verse of the song reveals the backstory of the tragedy. It talks about the singer's lover who sends a goodbye note, confessing that he had been unfaithful. The line "It read dear love I've done you wrong now I must set you free" portrays a sense of regret and guilt, which could possibly suggest that the lover had intended to end his own life. The chorus then repeats the lines "Moody River more deadly than the natalest night" and "Moody River your muddy water took my baby's life," which emphasizes the grief that the singer is experiencing.
The final verse of the song describes the singer's emotional state as she looks into the river and sees the face of her lost love. The imagery of the "lonely lonely face just looking back at me" brings a sense of haunting nostalgia and sadness to the song. The image of tears in her eyes and the glove of her lost love at her fingertips portrays the deep sorrow she is feeling. Overall, "Moody River" is a heartfelt and poignant song that captures the emotions of loss, betrayal, and grief.
Line by Line Meaning
Moody River more deadly than the natalest night
The river has a deadly reputation and is to be feared more than the most dangerous of nights.
Moody River your muddy water took my baby's life
The river's muddy water caused the death of my loved one.
Last Saturday evening I came to the old oak tree
I went to the spot where we were supposed to meet on the previous Saturday evening.
That stands beside the river where you were to meet me
The tree I went to stands next to the river where we had planned to meet.
On the ground your glove I found with a note address to me
I found your glove and a note addressed to me lying on the ground.
It read dear love I've done you wrong now I must set you free
The note said that you had betrayed me and that it was best for us to end our relationship.
No longer can I live with this hurt and this sin
The writer of the note was unable to continue living with the guilt and pain of their actions.
I just couldn't tell you that girl was just a friend
The writer of the note had been seeing another woman but couldn't bring themselves to tell me the truth.
I looked into the muddy water and what could I see
I peered into the river's murky depths and saw something unexpected.
I saw a lonely lonely face just looking back at me
I saw a sad, lonely face staring back at me from the water's reflection.
Tears in her eyes and the prayer on her lips
The face I saw looked like it was crying and the mouth appeared to be moving in prayer.
And the glove of her lost love at her fingertips
The object the face in the water was looking at was the glove of their loved one.
Contributed by Ian J. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@whispperson
Love listening to this lovely lady ❤❤❤. Incredible singer