Old 97's have been heralded as a great live band. They included five live songs as a bonus disc on Satellite Rides, and released a live double CD set recorded at historic Gruene Hall in 2005, Alive and Wired. Singer/guitarist Rhett Miller has released three solo albums and singer/bassist Murry Hammond released his first solo effort in April 2008. Ken Bethea plays lead guitar for the band and playing the drums/singing is Philip Peeples.
For photographs and additional information see the official website, www.Old97s.com.
Holy Cross
Old 97's Lyrics
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Drivin' trucks, not shiftin' gears
He never got it in his head
To settle down, he'd never wed.
He liked the river how it flowed.
Unlike the breaker, never to explode.
It had no wires runnin' in
Holy Cross
Electric Association
Oh well it's more than a job
It's more like a damnation
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
Holy Cross
It was a honey of a night
He met his maker, he saw the light.
The car was passin' on a curve
He never slowed down, he never swerved.
And in the hot glare of the lamps
He had regrets, he'd never learned to dance.
There was no angel at his side
There was a purpose that became homeless when he died.
Holy Cross
Electric Association
Oh well it's more than a job
It's more like a damnation
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
Holy Cross
Electric Association
Oh well it's more than a job
It's more like a damnation
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
Holy Cross
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
Holy Cross
The Old 97's song "Holy Cross" tells the story of a truck driver who works for 37 years but never settles down or marries. He enjoys the freedom of the open road and the simplicity of the river, which flows endlessly without any wires or explosions. However, in a tragic twist of fate, the truck driver meets his untimely death in a car accident, never having learned to dance or experience the finer things in life. As he passes away, he realizes the purpose that he had in life has become homeless since his death.
The song's title and the repeated phrase "Holy Cross" refer to the Holy Cross Electric Association, which is the power company that serves several Colorado counties. The association is known for providing reliable service to rural areas, but it also symbolizes the monotony and repetition of the truck driver's life. He feels trapped by his job and unable to escape, leading to his sense of damnation.
Overall, "Holy Cross" is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the importance of finding meaning beyond the daily grind. It's a cautionary tale that reminds us to live fully and embrace the joy that surrounds us.
Line by Line Meaning
You work for 37 years
He worked for 37 years
Drivin' trucks, not shiftin' gears
He worked as a truck driver
He never got it in his head
He never considered settling down
To settle down, he'd never wed.
He never got married
He liked the river how it flowed.
He appreciated the calming flow of the river
Unlike the breaker, never to explode.
Unlike electrical equipment that could break or malfunction, the river was always a constant
It had no wires runnin' in
The river had no power cables running through it
It just went on and on and on until the ocean got to it.
The river flowed continuously until it reached the ocean
Holy Cross
The name of the electric company he worked for
Electric Association
A group or organization that provides electrical services
Oh well it's more than a job
His work was more than just a job to him
It's more like a damnation
It felt like a curse or punishment
Well it was my life, now it's my loss
His work was a significant part of his life, but now he has lost it
It was a honey of a night
The night was beautiful
He met his maker, he saw the light.
He died and went to heaven
The car was passin' on a curve
He was driving on a curve in the road
He never slowed down, he never swerved.
He didn't try to avoid the accident
And in the hot glare of the lamps
The headlights were shining brightly
He had regrets, he'd never learned to dance.
He had regrets about things he never got to experience, like dancing
There was no angel at his side
There was no supernatural being with him when he died
There was a purpose that became homeless when he died.
His life's purpose was lost when he died because he didn't have a chance to fulfill it
Writer(s): Murray Hammond, Stewart Ransom Miller, Philip Wayne Peeples, Kendall Dewayne Bethea
Contributed by Aria R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.