Garrett has performed across the whole world and has also sung opera and pop classics with Bryan Ferry, The Eurythmics and Mick Hucknall to celebrate the arrival of the new century on Millennium Eve, in the grounds at the Royal Observatory and National Maritime Museum.
She played the lead role of Hanna Glawari, in the Welsh National Opera's production of The Merry Widow, which toured the United Kingdom in 2005. As of November 2006, Garrett was performing as Mother Abbess for six months, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's revival of The Sound of Music.
As a recording artist, Garrett has released eleven solo albums. Many of her albums have received gold and silver status. Soprano in Red received the Gramophone Award for "Best-selling Classical Artist of the Year". Garrett was also a featured artist on the platinum selling Perfect Day single released by the BBC in aid of Children in Need.
Garrett is a member of the board of the English National Opera. In 2002, she was awarded the CBE for services to music.
She is also a presenter on the UK commercial radio station "Classic FM".
Alabama Song from 'The Rise & Fall of the City of Mahagonny'
Lesley Garrett Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To the next whisky bar
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
Show me the way
To the next whisky bar
Oh, don't ask why
For if we don't find
The next whisky bar
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you, I tell you
I tell you we must die
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Well, show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
Show me the way
To the next little girl
Oh, don't ask why
Oh, don't ask why
For if we don't find
The next little girl
I tell you we must die
I tell you we must die
I tell you, I tell you
I tell you we must die
Oh, moon of Alabama
We now must say goodbye
We've lost our good old mama
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
The song "Alabama Song" from 'The Rise & Fall of the City of Mahagonny' is a somewhat dark and melancholic piece about searching for escape from the hardships of life through alcohol and relationships. The lyrics speak to a desperation to find the next "whisky bar" or "little girl" in order to avoid the reality of their situation. The repetition of "oh, don't ask why" is a nod to the idea that sometimes we don't have the answers to our own actions and impulses.
The reference to the "moon of Alabama" and the loss of the "good old mama" is likely a metaphor for being lost and directionless without the comfort and guidance of a parental figure. Overall, the song portrays a sense of restlessness and a search for temporary relief from the struggles of existence.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, show me the way
I am lost and in need of guidance
To the next whisky bar
I am seeking comfort in alcohol
Oh, don't ask why
There is no clear reason or logic behind my actions
Oh, don't ask why
I am pleading with you not to question my motives
For if we don't find
If we are unable to locate
The next whisky bar
A place to drink and forget our troubles
I tell you we must die
Our situation is dire and we are desperate
I tell you we must die
I am emphasizing the seriousness of our predicament
I tell you, I tell you
I am repeating myself to stress the urgency
I tell you we must die
We will not survive without finding what we seek
Oh, moon of Alabama
The symbol of our home and comfort
We now must say goodbye
We are leaving our past behind
We've lost our good old mama
Our source of protection and care is gone
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
We need alcohol to ease our pain and numb our senses
Well, show me the way
Again, I am in need of direction and guidance
To the next little girl
I am seeking temporary pleasure from a woman
Oh, don't ask why
I am begging you not to judge me for my actions
Oh, don't ask why
I am ashamed of my desires and motives
For if we don't find
Once again, if we are unable to locate
The next little girl
Another woman to satisfy our needs
I tell you we must die
We are desperate and may not survive without finding what we seek
I tell you we must die
Our search for pleasure will ultimately lead to our downfall
I tell you, I tell you
I am trying to convince myself as well as others of the seriousness of our situation
I tell you we must die
The consequences of our actions will be fatal
Oh, moon of Alabama
Once again, we turn to our symbol of comfort and familiarity
We now must say goodbye
Our past and everything we once knew is gone
We've lost our good old mama
We have lost our source of protection and guidance
And must have whisky, oh, you know why
Alcohol is now our only way to cope with the harsh reality of our lives
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: KURT WEILL, BERTOLT BRECHT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind