Her surname is pronounced "go-chay."
Wheel Inside The Wheel
Mary Gauthier Lyrics
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Their heat and their light bathed in blue as they march by
The all stars play when the saints go marching in
A second line forms and they wave white hankies in the wind
Satchmo takes a solo, and he flashes his million dollar smile
Marie Laveau promenades with Oscar Wilde
Big funky Stella twirls her little red umbrella to the beat
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Mardi Gras Indians chant in the streets at sundown
Spy boy meets spy boy, and big chief meets big chief uptown
They circle and sway in their rainbow colored feathers and beads
They prance like peacocks, children of slavery freed
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
The Krewe of the crossbones parades into the midnight sun
They march through the fire and come out beating homemade drums
While the French quarter queens in their high heeled drag disguise
Sing 'Over the rainbow' 'til Judy Garland quivers and sighs
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Flambeau dancers light the walkway to Jean Pierces
There's a party tonight and all the girls are gonna be there
Sipping wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talking trash
It's a red carpet, black tie, all night, celestial bash
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
Ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
I said roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Yeah, roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Mary Gauthier's "Wheel Inside The Wheel" is a poetic exploration of the cyclical nature of existence, viewed through the lens of various cultural traditions. The song begins with the striking image of a parade of souls marching across the sky, bathed in blue light as they pass by. Gauthier references the traditional New Orleans tune "When The Saints Go Marching In," and the idea of a "second line" procession, in which people form a line behind the main parade and wave handkerchiefs in the air.
The verses that follow continue to evoke the celebratory spirit of Mardi Gras, with nods to iconic figures like Louis Armstrong and voodoo queen Marie Laveau. Gauthier's description of the Mardi Gras Indians, who wear vibrantly colored feathers and beads, reflects the legacy of slavery and the resilience of black culture under oppression. The final verse takes us into a surreal party scene, where revelers sip absinthe and dance under the light of flambeaux.
Throughout the song, Gauthier emphasizes the idea that souls are eternal and cannot be pinned down to a single earthly element: "Souls ain't born, souls don't die/Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky." This notion reflects the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of all beings. The titular "wheel inside the wheel" suggests that we are all part of a larger cosmic cycle, and that our souls will continue to spin on even after our physical bodies have expired.
Line by Line Meaning
The parade of souls is marching across the sky
The souls of the dead are being led across the sky in a procession.
Their heat and their light bathed in blue as they march by
The souls emit a cool blue light as they pass.
The all stars play when the saints go marching in
The stars shine brightly at the arrival of the souls.
A second line forms and they wave white hankies in the wind
The souls follow a second line and wave white handkerchiefs.
Satchmo takes a solo, and he flashes his million dollar smile
Louis Armstrong performs a solo and smiles brightly.
Marie Laveau promenades with Oscar Wilde
Marie Laveau and Oscar Wilde stroll together.
Big funky Stella twirls her little red umbrella to the beat
Stella twirls her red umbrella in time with the music.
As the soul parade winds it's way down Eternity Street
The procession of souls moves down Eternity Street.
Souls ain't born, souls don't die
Souls do not come into existence or cease to exist.
Soul ain't made of earth, ain't made of water, ain't made of sky
The soul is not composed of earthly, watery, or heavenly elements.
So, ride the flaming circle, wind the golden reel
Embrace the cycle of life and ride it with passion and energy.
And roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Continue to live and roll along within the greater cycle of life.
Mardi Gras Indians chant in the streets at sundown
The Mardi Gras Indians sing and dance in the streets at sunset.
Spy boy meets spy boy, and big chief meets big chief uptown
Members of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes from different neighborhoods meet.
They circle and sway in their rainbow colored feathers and beads
The Indians twirl and move rhythmically in their colorful costumes.
They prance like peacocks, children of slavery freed
The Mardi Gras Indians move gracefully and proudly as a symbol of their freedom from slavery.
The Krewe of the crossbones parades into the midnight sun
A group called Krewe of the crossbones marches into the sun at midnight.
They march through the fire and come out beating homemade drums
The crossbones pass through fire and play their own drums.
While the French quarter queens in their high heeled drag disguise
Women dressed in drag in the French Quarter area sing.
Sing 'Over the rainbow' 'til Judy Garland quivers and sighs
They sing 'Over the rainbow' with such emotion that it moves Judy Garland.
Flambeau dancers light the walkway to Jean Pierces
Dancers carrying flaming torches light the way to Jean Pierces.
There's a party tonight and all the girls are gonna be there
There is a party tonight and all the women will be attending.
Sipping wormwood concoctions, drinking absinthe and talking trash
People drink wormwood and absinthe and chat trashily.
It's a red carpet, black tie, all night, celestial bash
It is a grand and luxurious party that will last all night.
I said roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Embrace the cycle of life and continue moving with its flow.
Yeah, roll on, brother, in the wheel inside the wheel
Encouragement to continue embracing and flowing with the cycle of life.
Lyrics © KAREN SCHAUBEN PUBLISHING ADMINISTRATION
Written by: MARY GAUTHIER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@johnrubino2805
Just finished Saved by Song by Mary Gauthier. Compelling read, thank you Mary for sharing your story and for what you do for our service men and women.
@Caddyem
Thank you jimmy buffett for bringing me here!
@zeke2566
Ole jimmy put a set of storm sails on here song...... just like he did with james taylors Mexico,he lit them up,like light my fire!!!
@bobhughes2295
This entire album is still soooo awesome to listen too!
@RockyMacelli
This is my favorite Mary Gauthier song.
@bowiesaid
Still Love You Mary! I Am Your Biggest Fan in Hollywood
@bowiesaid
What a sight you sing of. I see it.
@bowiesaid
"Soul's ain't born, soul's don't die"
@gr8blu
m. gauthier is the ghost of our selves ~
@andersonhuffman8989
I hear laurie Anderson with a southern gospel accent!