Earle was born in Fort Monroe, Virginia, and grew up near San Antonio, Texas. His father, Jack Earle, was an air traffic controller. Although he was born in Virginia where his father was stationed, the family returned to Texas before Earle's second birthday. They moved several times but Earle grew up primarily in the San Antonio area.
Earle began learning the guitar at the age of 11 and placed in a talent contest at his school at age 13. He is reported to have run away from home at age 14 to follow his idol, singer-songwriter Townes Van Zandt around Texas. Earle was "rebellious" as a youngster and dropped out of school at the age of 16. He moved to Houston with his 19-year-old uncle, who was also a musician, where he married and worked odd jobs. While in Houston Earle finally met Van Zandt, who became his hero and role model.
In 1975, at the age of 20, Earle moved to Nashville and began working as a songwriter. In these early days, he recorded with Guy Clark and Emmylou Harris. He finally scored a country hit in 1981, writing Johnny Lee's top ten cut "When You Fall in Love." Earle's early work as a performer tended towards the rockabilly sound, popular at the time. In 1986, his first proper album Guitar Town was a critical and commercial success. It sold over 300,000 copies and led some to herald him as a saviour of country music.
Earle long struggled with drug abuse. His addiction eventually caused a departure from performing and recording after he was dropped by MCA in 1991. Whilst in jail on drug and firearm charges, he kicked the habit and returned to music after his release in 1994.
Earle's "second, post-jail, musical career" has been more stylistically diverse than his early material, dipping in acoustic, bluegrass, and roots rock sounds. I Feel Alright and Transcendental Blues met with good reviews and decent sales. 2002's somewhat controversial Jerusalem was one of the first albums to directly address the September 11 attacks. It brought Earle's leftist views to media attention, especially the song "John Walker's Blues."
His latest album of original material I'll Never Get Out Of This World Alive was released in 2011. Songfacts reports that one of the tracks, This City, got played on HBO’s New Orleans based show Treme several months before the album‘s release. Earle, who plays a recurring street musician, composed the song especially for the drama series.
Earle has also released a tribute album of material written by friend and mentor Townes Van Zandt, entitled Townes.
For more information and photographs of Steve Earle go to his official website, www.SteveEarle.com.
Delta Momma Blues
Steve Earle Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That I bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile
Well, if you're blue don't cry
You can find your delta mama waitin' there
Well, I thought you knew that I
Would never let you down
I can ease your mind and take away your cares
Come away with me,
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That I bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile
Well, if the grass goes brown
Don't you hang your head too low
Well, there ain't no need for you to sit and pine
If you'll just ask around
I'm sure someone will know
Just exactly what it takes to get you back to feelin fine
Well, if you don't know by now
What I've been tryin' so hard to say
Well my delta boy I'm afraid you're up to tight
But you take it slow and somehow
You come meandering out my way
And I'll take you in my arms and make it right
Ah, come away with me,
My little delta boy
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
And if you stay you'll see
That I bring you lots of joy
I turn those little teardrops to a smile
The song "Delta Momma Blues" by Steve Earle is an expression of compassion and love. The lyrics are about a woman, the Delta Mama, who looks out for a young man as he navigates life. She invites him to come away with her, assuring him that she can ease his worry and sorrow. The Delta Mama also advises him to keep his head up and seek help from others if he feels lost or sad.
The song is set in the Delta region of the southern United States, where the blues genre of music originated. The Delta Mama is a nod to this musical tradition and the region's culture of looking out for one another. Earle's choice of words is poignant, with his use of "little delta boy" and "delta mama" emphasizing the closeness between the two characters, as well as their shared connection to their roots.
The song ends with the Delta Mama encouraging the Delta Boy to take his time and find his way back to her. This suggests that their bond is not just a temporary one but one that will continue to offer comfort and support. Overall, Steve Earle's "Delta Momma Blues" is a heartfelt ode to the Delta region and a tribute to the role of community and support in one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Come away with me,
Steve Earle is inviting someone to come with him on a journey
My little delta boy
The person he is addressing is from the Mississippi Delta area.
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
Steve Earle wants to be the person's source of comfort and support for a little while.
And if you stay you'll see
If the person stays with Steve Earle, they will experience something positive.
That I bring you lots of joy
Steve Earle promises that he will bring happiness to the person.
I turn those little teardrops to a smile
Steve Earle will help the person feel better and happy, even if they are sad.
Well, if you're blue don't cry
Steve Earle is telling the person not to be too upset or sad.
Just wander right downtown
Going to the city's town centre could be a source of entertainment and distraction for the person.
You can find your delta mama waitin' there
Steve Earle will be waiting in the downtown area to provide support and comfort.
Well, I thought you knew that I
Steve Earle is surprised that the person doesn't already know how supportive he can be.
Would never let you down
Steve Earle will always be there for the person.
I can ease your mind and take away your cares
Steve Earle is telling the person that he can help relieve their worries.
Well, if the grass goes brown
Steve Earle is acknowledging that sometimes things don't go as planned.
Don't you hang your head too low
Steve Earle is attempting to prevent the person from feeling discouraged.
Well, there ain't no need for you to sit and pine
Steve Earle is telling the person not to dwell on negative things that have occurred.
If you'll just ask around
Steve Earle is suggesting that the person ask the people in the community for suggestions to help them.
I'm sure someone will know
Steve Earle is confident that there are people in the community who can help the person feel better.
Just exactly what it takes to get you back to feelin fine
The people in the community can provide the person with what they need to feel better.
Well, if you don't know by now
Steve Earle is implying that he has given enough hints for the person to understand what he means.
What I've been tryin' so hard to say
Steve Earle has been making an effort to communicate with the person.
Well my delta boy I'm afraid you're up to tight
The person is tense, and Steve Earle is worried about him.
But you take it slow and somehow
Steve Earle suggests that the person should try to relax and take things slow.
You come meandering out my way
Ultimately, Steve Earle hopes that the person will come to him, in his direction.
And I'll take you in my arms and make it right
Steve Earle promises to help the person feel better and make things right for them.
Ah, come away with me,
Steve Earle is making another effort to convince the person to come with him.
My little delta boy
Steve Earle addresses the person once again, calling him his little delta boy.
I wanna be your delta mama for awhile
Steve Earle wants to be there for the person and take care of him, even if it's just for a little while.
And if you stay you'll see
If the person stays with Steve Earle, they will experience something positive.
That I bring you lots of joy
Steve Earle promises that he will bring happiness to the person.
I turn those little teardrops to a smile
Steve Earle will help the person feel better and happy, even if they are sad.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: Townes Van Zandt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind