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Evangeline Lyrics
She stands on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
Alone in the pale moonlight
Waitin' for a man, a riverboat gambler
Said that he'd return tonight
They used to waltz on the banks of the mighty Mississippi
Lovin' the whole night through
He was a riverboat gambler off to make a killin'
And bring it on back to you
Evangeline Evangeline
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Bayou Sam from South Louisian'
Had gamblin' in his veins
Evangeline from the maritime
Was slowly goin' insane
High on the top of a Hickory Hill
She stands in the lightning and thunder
Down on the river the boat was a sinkin'
She watched that Queen go under
Evangeline Evangeline
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Evangeline Evangeline
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Alone in the pale moonlight
Waitin' for a man, a riverboat gambler
Said that he'd return tonight
Lovin' the whole night through
He was a riverboat gambler off to make a killin'
And bring it on back to you
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Had gamblin' in his veins
Evangeline from the maritime
Was slowly goin' insane
She stands in the lightning and thunder
Down on the river the boat was a sinkin'
She watched that Queen go under
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Curses the soul of the Mississippi Queen
That pulled her man away
Song Info
Submitted by
bobo192 On Jul 20, 2002
More Emmylou Harris
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Can't believe no one has commented on this song yet... The Last Waltz version is just so great...
Although I know it is probably not about him The Last Waltz version of this song always makes me think of Gram Parsons. Especially that line "high on the top of a hickory hill" since Hickory Wind was kind of Parsons' signature song. It isn't exactly clear if Harris and Parsons had a love affair but they at least had a special relationship. And after all, Gram Parsons kind of had "gamblin in his veins".
This is a very powerful song about love, losing the will to carry on. One of my all time favs! Thank you Emmylou!
O Evangeline which is written by herself and appears on "Stumble into Grace" is one fantastic song; take a listen.
This is written by Robbie Robertson of The Band, you can read more about the "Evangeline" the HW Longfellow poem he is referencing here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangeline