Barton Hollow
The Civil Wars Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm a dead man walking here
But that's the least of all my fears
Ooh, underneath the water

It's not Alabama clay
That gives my trembling hands away
Please forgive me father
Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul

Did that full moon force my hand?
Or that unmarked hundred grand?
Ooh, underneath the water
Please forgive me father

Miles and miles in my bare feet
Still can't lay me down to sleep
If I die before I wake
I know the Lord my soul won't take

I'm a dead man walking
I'm a dead man walking

Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles
Keep walking and running and running for miles

Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
Devil gonna follow me e'er I go




Won't do me no good washing in the river
Can't no preacher man save my soul

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Barton Hollow" by The Civil Wars have a somber and ominous tone, conveying the feeling of dread and the fear of impending doom. The song is narrated by a person who has done something terrible and can't escape the guilt and the consequences of their actions. The singer is a "dead man walking," haunted by the fear of the devil following them wherever they go. The lyrics suggest that the singer has committed a crime, possibly involving a large sum of money, and is seeking redemption.


The singer's desperation is palpable, as they describe their inability to find peace even in death, unable to lay down and rest. The imagery of being unable to wash away their sins even in the river underlines their guilt and the feeling of hopelessness. The lyrics suggest that the singer is beyond the help of any preacher or religious figure, as their crime is too great.


Line by Line Meaning

I'm a dead man walking here
I am walking towards my inevitable doom


But that's the least of all my fears
I am more afraid of the consequences of my actions than death itself


Ooh, underneath the water
I am drowning in guilt and regret


It's not Alabama clay
My guilt cannot be concealed or excused by the state I'm in


That gives my trembling hands away
My guilt is so great that it manifests physically


Please forgive me father
I am reaching out to a higher power for absolution


Ain't going back to Barton Hollow
I am running from my past and the place where my sins were committed


Devil gonna follow me e'er I go
I am haunted by my wrongdoings and the shadow of the devil


Won't do me no good washing in the river
I cannot cleanse myself of my sins no matter how hard I try


Can't no preacher man save my soul
I cannot be saved by religion or anyone else for that matter


Did that full moon force my hand?
I am questioning whether my actions were influenced by outside forces like fate or the supernatural


Or that unmarked hundred grand?
I am wondering if greed and money were the driving forces behind my actions


Miles and miles in my bare feet
I have been wandering in search of redemption, but it eludes me


Still can't lay me down to sleep
I cannot find peace or rest while haunted by my past


If I die before I wake
I fear that death will not bring me the release that I so desperately seek


I know the Lord my soul won't take
I believe that even divine intervention cannot save me


Keep walking and running and running for miles
I will continue to flee from my past, no matter how far I have to go


Keep walking and running and running for miles
My guilt will continue to chase me, no matter how fast or how far I run


Keep walking and running and running for miles
I will never find redemption or salvation until I confront my past and repent for my sins




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Joy Williams, John White

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

Christopher Perrault

i still listen to this song to this day. it’s still as beautifully haunting as it was 11 years ago

Randy Stalnaker

Amen

Graeme Catty

Yes, a timeless song and so sad they broke up.

Azer More

Present! Love them always great band.

Paul Flowers

That's right awesome song I love it

Daniel Brown

Love the blues and folk style mix here. Wish these 2 were still making music

1 More Replies...

oldredhat

These two can make music so very nearly perfect with little more than their voices and stripped down simple accompaniment when so many others couldn't even dream of producing music of this caliber with full piece bands and every ounce of technology they throw into it. This song floored me the first time I heard it, and I get chills ever time listening to it since. Thank you.

Destini X Shakur

It floored me too with the harmonies

G

And they met at a Writer’s Circle. Awesome music came from these two.

Terry Carr

This video was shot in Lawrence County, Tennessee. The church is Mt. Zion Methodist. My mom and her brothers and sisters used to cross the bridge on Sugar Creek to attend school. The bridge has been replaced over the years and the old one room schoolhouse is now Mt. Zion Church of Christ. My great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins rest in the graveyard there. It is where my beloved Terri and I will be buried. It's the most beautiful place in the world to me.

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