In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well, I used to wake the mornin'
Before the rooster crowed
Searchin' for soda bottles
To get myself some dough
Run 'em down to the corner
Down to the country store
Cash 'em in, and give my money
To a man named Curtis Loew
Old Curt was a black man
With white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine
He did not have a care
He used to own an old Dobro
Used to play it 'cross his knee
I'd give old Curt my money
He'd play all day for me
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well, I got your drinkin' money
Tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker
To ever play the blues
He looked to be sixty
And maybe I was ten
Mama used to whoop me
But I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feet
Try to stay in time
He'd play me a song or two
Then take another drink of wine
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well, I got your drinkin' money
Tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker
To ever play the blues
Yes, sir
On the day old Curtis died
Nobody came to pray
Ol' preacher said some words
And they chunked him in the clay
Well, he lived a lifetime
Playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life
That's all he had to lose
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew
I wish that you was here so
Everyone would know
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker
To ever play the blues
Before the rooster crowed
Searchin' for soda bottles
To get myself some dough
Run 'em down to the corner
Down to the country store
Cash 'em in, and give my money
To a man named Curtis Loew
Old Curt was a black man
With white curly hair
When he had a fifth of wine
He did not have a care
He used to own an old Dobro
Used to play it 'cross his knee
I'd give old Curt my money
He'd play all day for me
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well, I got your drinkin' money
Tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker
To ever play the blues
He looked to be sixty
And maybe I was ten
Mama used to whoop me
But I'd go see him again
I'd clap my hands, stomp my feet
Try to stay in time
He'd play me a song or two
Then take another drink of wine
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, Curtis Loew
Well, I got your drinkin' money
Tune up your Dobro
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis Loew was the finest picker
To ever play the blues
Yes, sir
On the day old Curtis died
Nobody came to pray
Ol' preacher said some words
And they chunked him in the clay
Well, he lived a lifetime
Playin' the black man's blues
And on the day he lost his life
That's all he had to lose
Play me a song
Curtis Loew, hey Curtis Loew
I wish that you was here so
Everyone would know
People said he was useless
Them people all were fools
'Cause Curtis you're the finest picker
To ever play the blues
Lyrics submitted by magicnudiesuit
The Ballad of Curtis Loew Lyrics as written by Ronnie Van Zant Allen Collins
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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used to be a guy i worked with alot like
ol Curtis. he was old, dirty, and incapable of doing much besides push a broom after everyone else was done with work. he didnt get alot of respect from many people, but i thought he was great. he was the funniest old man ive ever known, and could play the guitar faster and better than anyone else ive ever seen. he had a thing for oranges, so i`d give him mine from my lunch, then i could turn on the radio, turn it to any song and Old Billy would be playing right along with the radio in no time. incredible man.This song is about a mixture of people.. Shorty Medlocke, and "Teetot"... the black man who taught Hank Williams how to play the guitar.
That's what i was looking for nice work
I read where this is a loose adaptation about Ricky Medlocke's (Lynyrd Skynyrd's current Allen Collins)grandfather Shorty Medlocke.
one of the four songs, that no matter how many times i listen to it, i can feel it
The best skynyrd song
Definitely the best Skynyrd song. Evokes a certain feeling that feels like nothing else that the southern boys have done.
Really a song about many different people that they combined into Curtis Lowe
Sorry I got nothing better but I really love this song.
I'd never listened to this song more than just in passing until this morning when I was waiting in my car for 'She Talks to Angels' by the Black Crowes to go off and this one came on. I listened to it closely this time though and I have to say I find it to be the best Skynyrd song ever...
There's just something so unspeakable about its greatness. I dunno.
-=The Prynce
This song isn't appreciated enough