Williams and White met in 2008, during a song-writing session or "writing camp" at a music studio in Nashville, Tennessee. According to Williams, the idea for the band's name came as she "was driving around town looking at all the Civil War monuments." Their first recording was of a 2009 performance at Eddie's Attic in Georgia which they released as a free Internet download called Live at Eddie's Attic. Later that year, they released a digital extended-play album, called Poison & Wine, produced by Charlie Peacock, and the title song appeared on the TV show Grey's Anatomy.
In 2011, The Civil Wars released the album Barton Hollow; which reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 chart, No. 54 on the UK Albums Chart and received Grammy nominations in the Best Folk Album and Best Country Duo/Group Performance categories. The album was included on several critics' Best Albums of 2011 lists, including NPR Music, Paste, Time, Associated Press, AllMusic.com The Wall Street Journal, Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly and USA Today. They released the singles "Tracks in the Snow" and "Safe & Sound".
In 2012, The Civil Wars partnered with T-Bone Burnett on the film score for the documentary A Place At The Table (previously known as Finding North) and collaborated on the song "Lily Love" with The Chieftains. They released a 7" vinyl album with cover versions of Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" and Portishead's "Sour Times" in April. The duo was featured in American Way magazine, USA Today, on the cover of Billboard, and released a photo book called To Whom It May Concern.
In November 2012, the duo went on hiatus, citing "internal discord and irreconcilable differences of ambition". In August 2014, The Civil Wars announced an official break-up through press release.
Girl with the Red Balloon
The Civil Wars Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Time stands still while there's still wine around
She's the one you let in out of the cold
The one who's neer and always alone
Did she let him go,
Or did the four winds blow him away?
Oh does she even know,
Keep her glass full of cheap champagne
She will tell of a man with no name
Smoke and mirrors have done her in
She's in love and she won't be again
Oh did she let him go,
Or did the four winds blow him away?
Oh does she even know,
She's the girl with the red balloon?
So lovely
So lonely
Floating away
Oh did she let him go,
Or did the four winds blow him away?
Oh does she even know,
She's the girl with the red balloon?
Oh did she let him go,
Or did the four winds blow him away?
Oh does she even know,
She's the girl with the red balloon?
The lyrics of "Girl with the Red Balloon" by The Civil Wars describe a woman who frequents a pub, where she seeks refuge from the outside world and finds solace in the company of strangers. The pub, possibly a symbol for the woman's temporary sanctuary, becomes a haven for her to escape her solitude and relive moments of happiness. The reference to the "south side of town" hints at the woman's alienation and isolation from the rest of the world, making the pub her only source of comfort.
The woman's love story is narrated through the lyrics, which suggest that she may have let go of someone important, or perhaps, she lost him to the winds of fate. The red balloon that she holds symbolizes her longing for happiness and love in her life. The chorus, "Oh does she even know, she's the girl with the red balloon?" serves as a reminder that even in her solitude, she has something valuable, something worth holding onto.
The second verse of the song highlights the woman's vulnerability and her readiness to share her experiences and stories with anyone willing to listen. Alcohol, represented by the "cheap champagne" she drinks, becomes a means for her to let loose and express herself. However, the woman has been hurt before, and the "smoke and mirrors" that have "done her in" indicate that she has been deceived and let down in the past. Despite this, she remains in love, albeit hesitant to take another chance on it.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a pub on the south side of town
The story is set in a town where there is a pub located on the southern side of the town.
Time stands still while there's still wine around
When wine is available, time seems to stop and people lose track of time.
She's the one you let in out of the cold
There is a woman that people allow into the pub because they feel sorry for her as she is out in the cold.
The one who's neer and always alone
The woman is always alone and seems to have no friends or family around her.
Did she let him go,
The woman might have let go of someone she loved, possibly a partner or a family member.
Or did the four winds blow him away?
Alternatively, the person she loves might have left without her having a say in it.
Oh does she even know,
It is unclear whether or not the woman is aware of the current situation she is in.
She's the girl with the red balloon?
The girl is identified with a red balloon, which seems to carry a symbolic meaning or hold significance in the story.
Keep her glass full of cheap champagne
People make sure that the woman's glass is always full of cheap champagne in order to keep her happy or to get information from her.
She will tell of a man with no name
The woman talks about a man she loves but cannot identify him by name.
Smoke and mirrors have done her in
The woman has been deceived and betrayed by illusions and tricks
She's in love and she won't be again
The woman is in love but has suffered so much that she will not fall in love again.
So lovely
The woman is beautiful and captivating in appearance.
So lonely
However, she always seems to be lonely.
Floating away
The woman is disconnected and drifting away from reality and the people around her.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: JOHN WHITE, JOY WILLIAMS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rebecca Lynn
I love this song :) I've listened to it several times before, but today i was listening and my boyfriend pointed out my tattoo. I have a red balloon on my shoulder that says "Sometimes... you need to let things go..." I am the girl with the red balloon.
APrivateConversation
In love with this duo. I just started listening recently. They're amazing! Thanks so much for uploading! Needed it in my favorites. :D Yep, she's the one in the calico. Having once been a former Little House on the Prairie fan... it makes sense. This CD is worth buying. -M
Sophie Tobin
This album was released on my birthday! One of the best presents I've gotten<3
Mahmoud Shalaby
I broke with her 9 months ago, yet I appreciate this song because I had a picture of my exgirlfriend with a red balloon looking at the camera smiling... I guess I miss the moment not the person, no one moves on completely anyways.. I just wonder how many crums of my heart will I have left after I find the right person..
groove goose
From a poet, I highly suggest you consider writing poetry because that was breathtaking!
Zach Wooton
very expressive. enjoyed the harmonies. and tastieness of guitar changes. thanks.
Xrysa Kara
I can't stop listening
Maddi Grant
My boyfriend plays this song for me on guitar and I sing it
Golden Plectrum
Did she let him go or did the four winds blow him away
Oh
Does she even know
She's the girl with the red balloon
i always dream that balloon releases from her hand to the sky. I dont know it's depressing dream
one of my favourite song
Antonio Felix
I think they meant it as the ghost town in this though :3 i love their lyrics so much