Born and raised in Troy, New York, Rowe started playing music at an early age. He received a bass guitar from his father on his 12th birthday and performed in a local band. After receiving an acoustic guitar as a gift from his uncle, Rowe began playing solo.
Since 2003, Rowe played locally in his hometown at open mics, bars and cafes. He began playing with percussionist Marco Haber , who played on a few tracks on his first album 27. Shortly thereafter they began playing under the name Mudfunk and recorded a live album, Live at the Grind, as well as a single of Wrong Side Of The Bed. The latter would be re-recorded for Sean's solo album, Magic, without Haber and with different instrumentation. Sean Rowe now records for ANTI- Records.
The Ballad Of Buttermilk Falls
Sean Rowe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's been so long
And the stars are the same stars with the same truth
And in that river's secret, still shivering
The reckoning
That came like thunder on September 1st
4 of them go blind with confidence
Running like the ground was made of fire
Who could know the terrible deliverance
The consequence
Was hidden under the water's diamond eyes
3 of them are still
Waiting for a sign, they drop the line
Filling with a horrible numb
The moment whipped against the rocks
It was deafening,
Threatening to grow them up forever
Are you Daniel?
Your signature on the breeze?
Your memory has watched me
But am I a fool to think you would wait in this place
The willow takes it's place and gives her arm, her strongest arm
To the hold the rope that was never meant to kill
The current ate him like a serpent vanishing
Nothing turns a mother from her will
The Ballad Of Buttermilk Falls is a poignant song by Sean Rowe which tells the story of a tragic incident at Buttermilk Falls where four friends went for a swim and only one of them survived. The song begins with the image of a weeping willow tree, setting the tone for the mournful and solemn mood of the song. The willow has been witness to the passing of time and the constancy of nature, juxtaposed with the fleeting nature of human life. The stars in the sky have remained unchanged, unlike the lives of the people who once stood below them. The river, a witness to the tragedy that unfolds, still shivers in secret, keeping the memory of that moment vivid.
The song goes on to describe the carefree nature of the four friends who went swimming, "running like the ground was made of fire". But the "terrible deliverance" that awaited them was hidden under the water's calm surface. Only one of them survived, and the others perished. The song observes the aftermath of the tragedy, with three of the friends waiting for a sign, numbly waiting for something that will never come. The survivors also grapple with their loss, with the lyric "Are you Daniel? Your signature on the breeze?" suggesting that the memory of their lost friend is always present, even in the air they breathe. The song concludes with the image of the willow tree joining in to help retrieve the body of the drowned friend, holding the rope that dragged him out of the river's depths.
Overall, the song is a poignant meditation on mortality, the fragility of life and the permanence of memory. It is also a tribute to the power of nature and the ways in which it can console us in moments of grief.
Line by Line Meaning
The willow, still she cries that lonely song
The willow tree continues to lament and mourn over the tragedy that occurred at Buttermilk Falls.
It's been so long
A long time has passed since the incident took place.
And the stars are the same stars with the same truth
Despite the passage of time, the stars still bear witness to the same truth of what happened at Buttermilk Falls.
And in that river's secret, still shivering
The river still holds its secrets, and the anticipation of them being revealed causes shivers.
The reckoning
The consequences of the actions taken are now being faced.
That came like thunder on September 1st
The shocking and devastating event occurred suddenly on September 1st.
4 of them go blind with confidence
Four individuals were overly confident and failed to perceive the danger of the situation.
It was in their prints
The evidence of their misplaced confidence is ingrained in their footprints.
Running like the ground was made of fire
The individuals involved were running so fast and recklessly that it appeared as though they were running on a fiery surface.
Who could know the terrible deliverance
At the time, nobody could predict the horrific outcome of the situation.
The consequence
The tragic repercussions of the situation.
Was hidden under the water's diamond eyes
The true extent of the situation's consequences remained unknown and concealed, much like the depth of water's eyes.
3 of them are still
Three of the individuals involved are unresponsive and stationary.
Waiting for a sign, they drop the line
They are waiting for a signal or sign of what to do next, releasing the rope they were holding in the meantime.
Filling with a horrible numb
They are overcome with an unpleasant sense of numbness.
The moment whipped against the rocks
The sound and energy of the moment echoed off the rocks in a harsh manner.
It was deafening,
The noise was incredibly loud and overpowering.
Threatening to grow them up forever
The situation posed a threat to their very existence, potentially preventing them from ever growing older.
Are you Daniel?
A plea or question directed at someone named Daniel.
Your signature on the breeze?
Has the wind brought the presence of Daniel's metaphorical 'signature' or aura to this place?
Your memory has watched me
There is a pervading sense that Daniel's memory and presence is watching over the situation.
But am I a fool to think you would wait in this place
Despite the feelings of being watched, it is acknowledged that it is likely foolish to believe that Daniel would actually be waiting there.
The willow takes it's place and gives her arm, her strongest arm
The willow tree positions itself to contribute its full strength, donating its 'strongest arm' in aid of the situation.
To the hold the rope that was never meant to kill
The willow volunteers to hold the rope that, though never intended to cause harm, ended up being a fatal tool.
The current ate him like a serpent vanishing
The swift and powerful current took hold of one of the individuals, consuming them in a manner likened to that of a disappearing serpent.
Nothing turns a mother from her will
A mother's determination and strength cannot be deterred or weakened, no matter the circumstances.
Writer(s): SEAN ROWE
Contributed by Audrey O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Will MacDonald-Kramer
I've only stumbled across a handful of artists that have this sort of intensity. KUDOS. Your sound is truth, beauty, raw, unbelievable.
Spencer Burton
Wow, what s beautiful powerful haunting ballad...
I love Sean Rowe's voice...
Duane milton
I am from ithaca ny, this song is about a friend that drowned in the swimming area called Buttermilk Falls..... really deep!!!! I believe sean witnessed the drowning.....
Debbie Ghostley
Wowowowoooooo! You can hear the life he has been through. This is what musical artist is about!
Benjammin228
wow I love this song!
Gilly Gil
Dear Mr. Rowe? If I may ask a question, Sir? What key harmonica are you playing on Soldier's Song, please? Powerful song. I made sure my son listened to your words. I am aware that Lucinda Williams wrote the song. Your voice and version are just soulful and moving. I felt. Thank you.
Duane milton
One of the highest priorities of rangers and park police in gorges in Ithaca is to keep people out of delightfully inviting, but deceivingly hazardous natural rock pools, including those in Buttermilk Glen. There is a long history of tragedies in such places, something usually not appreciated by those who risk their lives diving from cliffs into unknown hazards under water. Over the years, a number of young, promising lives have ended in a pool at the base of a cliff or waterfall.
Duane milton
Ithaca is famous for its gorges, with their waterfalls, pools, and lush, cool forests. But, unfortunately, Ithaca’s gorges are also famous for their fatalities. And one of the most common causes of death in Ithaca’s gorges is drowning. Ithaca is famous for its gorges, with their waterfalls, pools, and lush, cool forests. But, unfortunately, Ithaca’s gorges are also famous for their fatalities. And one of the most common causes of death in Ithaca’s gorges is drowning.
Mark Schafer
Geologically Ithaca is a Near complete. .3/4 shaped Bowl..of sorts and highly prone to 100..200 yr Catastrophic Floods..