The River
The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher Lyrics
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Ooh, hey, hey, hey
La, la, la, la, la
Every year about this time, the local gentry
Have a meeting in Chickasaw land
They all come to judge each and every entry
That wants to try out for the Okolona band
All the way from the Kosciusko
Up from Biloxi Shore
All in all, there's not a half grown man
That wouldn't like to be in the Okolona River Bottom Band
La, la, la, la, la
Ooh, hey, hey, hey
La, la, la, la, la
The semi-annual
Come as you can-ual
Five man band-ual
Okolona River Bottom Band
La, la, la, la, la
Ooh, hey, hey, hey
La, la, la, la, la
The backwood majority
No hold barr-ity
Come as you are-ity
Okolona River Bottom Band
La, la, la, la, la
All the way from Kosciusko
Up from Biloxi Shore
All in all, there's not a half grown man
Who wouldn't like to be in the Okolona River Bottom Band
La, la, la, la, la
See, I told you society
Green apple pie-ety
Delta variety
Okolona River Bottom Band
La, la, la, la, la
Ooh, hey, hey, hey
La, la, la, la, la
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
La, la, la, la, la, la
La, la, la, la
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, ooh
Ah, ah, ah, ah
Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh, oh, oh
The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher's song The River is a celebration of southern music culture and the Okolona River Bottom Band. The song, which features a simple but catchy melody, celebrates this band's "semi-annual" event, where locals from all over come to judge every entry that wants to try out for the band in Chickasaw land. With lines like "All in all, there's not a half grown man who wouldn't like to be in the Okolona River Bottom Band," the song taps into the nostalgia and love of southern music and community.
The lyrics convey the band's ability to bring people from all backgrounds together in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The lines "The backwood majority, no hold barr-ity, come as you are-ity" express this idea explicitly. The line "See, I told you society, green apple pie-ety, Delta variety" further emphasizes the shared values and community pride that are an integral part of southern music culture.
Overall, The Rev. Jimmie Bratcher's The River is a fun, folksy celebration of southern music culture and the Okolona River Bottom Band. The song's catchy melody and heartfelt lyrics encapsulate the sense of community, inclusivity, and tradition that make this culture so beloved.
Line by Line Meaning
Every year about this time, the local gentry
At a certain time each year, the higher-class individuals in the area
Have a meeting in Chickasaw land
Gather in a specific location
They all come to judge each and every entry
Evaluate each applicant
That wants to try out for the Okolona band
Wishing to audition for the Okolona group
All the way from the Kosciusko
From a location called Kosciusko
Up from Biloxi Shore
From the Biloxi Shore area
All in all, there's not a half grown man
Without exception, every male
That wouldn't like to be in the Okolona River Bottom Band
Desires to be part of the Okolona River Bottom Band
The semi-annual
Twice a year
Come as you can-ual
Show up whenever you can for this informal event
Five man band-ual
The Okolona River Bottom Band consists of five musicians
The backwood majority
Mostly rural individual
No hold barr-ity
No restrictions on attendance
Come as you are-ity
Attend as you are, without needing to dress up
See, I told you society
As I mentioned earlier, a general reference to the community
Green apple pie-ety
A specific attribute (green apple pie-like behavior) of the community
Delta variety
A distinguishing feature of the region
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Bobbie Gentry
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind