Their music bridged the gaps between the socially and spiritually conscious folk music of Bob Dylan, the studio trickery of The Beach Boys, and the sardonic rock of The Beatles. Some of their trademark songs include pop versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and Pete Seeger’s Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season), and the originals I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, and Eight Miles High. Throughout their career they helped forge such subgenres as folk rock, raga rock, psychedelic rock, jangle pop, and – on their 1968 classic Sweetheart of the Rodeo – country rock inviting Gram Parsons on rhythm guitar.
The original and most successful lineup consisted of Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. After several line-up changes (with lead singer/guitarist McGuinn as the only consistent member), they broke up in 1973.
In 1991 they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and several band members launched successful solo careers after leaving the group. The most successful was David Crosby who was inducted again for his work with Crosby, Stills & Nash. Other than The Beatles, the only artist with all members inducted twice are, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young.
Lover Of The Bayou
The Byrds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Catfish pie in a gris-gris bag
I'm the lover of the bayou
Mark your doorstep with a half-wet rag
I'm the lover of the bayou
Raised and swam with the crocodileSnacked-eye taught me the moyo style
Sucked and weaned on chicken bile
I'm the lover of the bayou, yeah
Well, I learned the key to the master lock
I learned to float in the water clock
I learned to capture the lightnin' shock
I'm the lover of the bayou
And I've got cats and teeth and hair for sale
I'm the lover of the bayou
Baron Samedi is on your tail
I'm the lover of the bayou
I cooked the bat in the gumbo pan
Drank the blood from a rusty can
Turned me into the hunger man
I'm the lover of the bayou, yeah
The lyrics of The Byrds's song "Lover of the Bayou" is a hodgepodge of voodoo imagery, cryptic verses, and Cajun culture, making it one of their strangest songs. The song's central character is a self-proclaimed lover of the bayou, which is a reference to the swampy regions of Louisiana. The song begins with the lyrics "catfish pie in a gris-gris bag," which may refer to the voodoo practice of using a gris-gris bag containing herbs, shells, and other items to bring good luck or ward off evil. The song goes on to mention "Mark your doorstep with a half-wet rag," which is another voodoo ritual used to dispel negative energy.
The lover of the bayou mentions growing up in the swamp and learning survival techniques, such as swimming with crocodiles and learning the moyo style from Snacked-eye. Moyo is a term used to describe a style of drumming associated with New Orleans-style jazz. The lyrics also reference consuming strange substances such as chicken bile and rusty blood to survive in the swamp. The song concludes with the eerie image of the hunger man, a person who has been transformed by hunger and desperation.
In summary, "Lover of the Bayou" is a surreal and enigmatic song that combines elements of voodoo, Cajun culture, and swamp survival. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a mysterious and otherworldly character who has thrived in the harsh swamp environment. The song's unusual lyrics and haunting melody make it a standout track in The Byrds's discography.
Line by Line Meaning
Catfish pie in a gris-gris bag
I carry a sort of protective charm that includes a bag filled with powerful ingredients like catfish pie.
I'm the lover of the bayou
I'm someone who knows the swamplands of the bayou very well and deeply love them.
Mark your doorstep with a half-wet rag
I left a sign for you to know that I came and went.
Raised and swam with the crocodile
I was born and raised in the bayou, and I learned how to be as stealthy as a crocodile.
Snacked-eye taught me the moyo style
An old man named Snacked-eye taught me the skills of a martial art style known as Moye.
Sucked and weaned on chicken bile
As a child, I was fed with a medicine that included chicken bile and sucked it like a regular beverage.
Well, I learned the key to the master lock
I learned how to pick locks like a professional master thief.
I learned to float in the water clock
I learned how to float and effortlessly navigate the murky waters of the bayou.
I learned to capture the lightnin' shock
I learned how to harness the power of electricity and control it in the same manner as lightning.
And I've got cats and teeth and hair for sale
I have items for sale that include different body parts of cats like teeth and fur.
Baron Samedi is on your tail
Someone deadly named Baron Samedi is after you.
I cooked the bat in the gumbo pan
I prepared a type of soup called gumbo and included bat meat as one of the ingredients.
Drank the blood from a rusty can
I once drank blood from a can that was left rusty for a long time.
Turned me into the hunger man
After the strange concoction I ate or drank, I felt insatiably hungry.
I'm the lover of the bayou Yeah!
I deeply love the swamplands of the bayou, and the whole place fascinates me.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing, CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JACQUES LEVY, ROGER MC GUINN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ronaldlongendyke3313
I think I like this studio version better than the live one. Thanks for posting.
@johnhughes9019
I love both versions ; I have the expanded CD version of ( untitled ) , so I can enjoy both.
Safe to say that the (awesome) live version is rather "speedy" .
@greerlovesgovert
Jesus! I thought Tom Petty came up with this. Amazing song, 40 years older than I thought it was. Gonna have to check out the Byrds
@rathert3
Give 'Fifth Dimension' with David Crosby and 'Untitled' a double LP, half live, half studio a listen.
@RiverLynch
Such a great song. An overlooked GEM!
@jimgleeson98
Not if you were around at the time and true fan. Had ALL THE L.Ps.
Saw them in London ROUNDHOUSE VENUE 1968!
Overlooked my Hairy Celtic Arse! Haaahaa!I
@WilkStepowy26
Where was that song for the last 35 years of my life?!! ;) Where was I?
@MrDunkiep
I feel the same. Discovered it earlier this year and can't get enough of it . Reckon I've got 8 albums by the Byrd's and for some reason this was never one of them.
@rathert3
It's been here since 1970. Pretty damned good, eh?
@johnlornie9741
Thank god for CD reissues, otherwise no one would have heard this gem of a version😊lol