Focusing primarily on instrumental composition and playing, Kottke also sings sporadically, in an unconventional yet expressive baritone described by himself as sounding like "geese farts on a muggy day".[1] In concert, Kottke intersperses humorous and often bizarre monologues with vocal and instrumental selections from throughout his career, played solo on 6- and 12-string guitars.
Saginaw Michigan
Leo Kottke Lyrics
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I grew up in a house on Saginaw Bay
My dad was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman
Too many times he brought home too little pay
I loved a girl in Saginaw, Michigan
The daughter of a wealthy, wealthy man
But he called me that son of a Saginaw fisherman
Now I'm up here in Alaska looking around for gold
Like a crazy fool I'm digging in this frozen ground so cold
With each day I pray I'll strike it rich and then
Go back home and claim my love in Saginaw, Michigan
I wrote my love in Saginaw, Michigan
Said, "Honey, I'm coming home, please wait for me
And you can tell your dad I'm coming home a richer man
I hit the biggest strike in Klondike history"
Her dad met me in Saginaw, Michigan
Gave me a great big party with champagne
And he said, "Son, you're a wise, young, ambitious man
Won't you sell your father-in-law your Klondike claim? "
Now he's up there in Alaska digging in the cold hard ground
The greedy fool is looking for the gold I never found
It serves him right and no one here is missing him
Least of all, the newlyweds of Saginaw, Michigan
We're the happiest man and wife in Saginaw, Michigan
He's ashamed to show his face in Saginaw, Michigan
The lyrics of the song “Saginaw Michigan” by Leo Kottke tell a story about a man who was born and grew up in Saginaw, Michigan. The man’s father was a Saginaw fisherman who struggled to make ends meet, and the man himself fell in love with a wealthy girl whose father didn't approve of him because of his low social status. The man left town and went to Alaska to look for gold so that he could become rich, and hence worthy of his love's attention. Though he found no gold in Klondike, he returned home and wrote a letter to his love, informing her that he had struck it rich. Upon returning, the girl’s father praised him and even asked him to sell his Klondike claim. However, the man eventually revealed that he had no gold and that he had lied in his earlier letter. The man left the town, and the girl and her father found someone else to marry her.
The story in the song is a classic example of a melodramatic love story. It follows a common formula with the singer trying to overcome social difficulties to be with their love, but it ends in a sort of tragic-comic way. The man's father-in-law throws him a party to celebrate his success, and it is only after this party that the truth comes out. The man is then forced to leave town, alone without his love, who has found someone else instead.
Line by Line Meaning
I was born in Saginaw, Michigan
Leo Kottke introduces himself and provides information about his birthplace.
I grew up in a house on Saginaw Bay
Kottke informs the listener where he was raised.
My dad was a poor hard working Saginaw fisherman
Kottke's father was a hard-working fisherman who didn't always make enough money.
Too many times he brought home too little pay
Kottke's father struggled financially and often brought home insufficient funds.
I loved a girl in Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke developed feelings for a girl living in his hometown.
The daughter of a wealthy, wealthy man
The object of Kottke's affection came from a well-off family.
But he called me that son of a Saginaw fisherman
The girl's father looked down on Kottke because of his father's occupation.
Not good enough to claim his daughter's hand
Because of Kottke's status as the son of a fisherman, he wasn't considered fit to marry the wealthy girl.
Now I'm up here in Alaska looking around for gold
Kottke moved to Alaska to search for gold.
Like a crazy fool I'm digging in this frozen ground so cold
Kottke sees his adventure as foolish because he is digging in frozen ground in Alaska.
With each day I pray I'll strike it rich and then
Kottke hopes to become wealthy each day he searches for gold.
Go back home and claim my love in Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke hopes to strike it rich so he can return home and win his love's hand in marriage.
I wrote my love in Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke writes a letter to his love in Michigan.
Said, "Honey, I'm coming home, please wait for me
Kottke informs his love that he is coming home and asks her to wait for him.
And you can tell your dad I'm coming home a richer man
Kottke tells his love to inform her father that he is returning home with newfound wealth.
I hit the biggest strike in Klondike history"
Kottke claims to have discovered a massive amount of gold in Klondike.
Her dad met me in Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke's fiancee's wealthy father meets him in Saginaw.
Gave me a great big party with champagne
The father throws a party for Kottke's homecoming.
And he said, "Son, you're a wise, young, ambitious man
The father praises Kottke's drive and ambition.
Won't you sell your father-in-law your Klondike claim? "
However, the father's praise was a ruse, he really hoped to buy Kottke's Klondike claim.
Now he's up there in Alaska digging in the cold hard ground
The father went to Alaska to dig for gold.
The greedy fool is looking for the gold I never found
Kottke believes that the father is looking for gold that he never really found.
It serves him right and no one here is missing him
Kottke does not feel guilty about the father's fate.
Least of all, the newlyweds of Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke and his love are happily married and don't miss her father at all.
We're the happiest man and wife in Saginaw, Michigan
Kottke and his love are happily married.
He's ashamed to show his face in Saginaw, Michigan
The wealthy father feels ashamed to return to Saginaw.
Contributed by Camden S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LtDansRt Leg
Best guitar player ever
krazyhartin
This is the 1st time I've heard Leo sing. Very good song.
Jan Timmermans
LOVE THIS!!!
Mitchell Lopate
The album is called Time Step; T-Bone Burnett produced it, and Emmylou Harris sings on it with Leo. Worth getting also for Leo's interpretation of Kristofferson's "Here Comes that Rainbow Again."
St Pauli
Leffty Frizell did this originally.1964.I just love Leo's cover.
rjwinz
Jim Ringer did a great cover on this one. Leo must have been going through his country phase. :)
Jim Bouldin
Where'd that come from?? A Leo tune I've never heard before--and a great one!! What album is that off of and did he write it? Reminds me a lot of Pamela Brown
serenity rahn
i first heard this song around 1968, so this is a cover of the Lefty Frezzell number #1 hit (on the Country Music chart) from BillBoard.
Henning Krog
I LIKE ITTT!!
Marc Gilbert
Epic!