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.
There's a south wind risin' and
The moon shines on my window sill
I've got a feeling I might walk on over the hill
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is some rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine
There's a new moon risin' and
The wind sings its old song
Pass it on over it's a sin to be sober too long
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is my share
Of a bottle of that very rare
Blackberry wine
My old gal's got a new dress on five and dime
Try as she will she can't get me
To come home on time
But I'd never cheat her
Or mistreat her you know
As over the mountain I go
Blackberry wine
I'll be soft spoken
All I need is my rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine
Now my days are numbered
And one more heel's been killed
Blackberry John left me
His old recipe in his will
I'm bent but not broken,
All I need is some time
And a bottle of your very fine
Blackberry wine
Blackberry wine,
You know that I'm quite dry without you
Blackberry wine
The moon shines on my window sill
I've got a feeling I might walk on over the hill
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is some rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine
There's a new moon risin' and
The wind sings its old song
Pass it on over it's a sin to be sober too long
I'm bent but not broken, all I need is my share
Of a bottle of that very rare
Blackberry wine
My old gal's got a new dress on five and dime
Try as she will she can't get me
To come home on time
But I'd never cheat her
Or mistreat her you know
As over the mountain I go
Blackberry wine
I'll be soft spoken
All I need is my rest
And a bottle of your very best
Blackberry wine
Now my days are numbered
And one more heel's been killed
Blackberry John left me
His old recipe in his will
I'm bent but not broken,
All I need is some time
And a bottle of your very fine
Blackberry wine
Blackberry wine,
You know that I'm quite dry without you
Blackberry wine
Lyrics submitted by ButNeverOutgunned
Blackberry Wine Lyrics as written by Gordon Lightfoot
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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I sort of feel like it's drugs, but that seems a bit out-of-place for in 1982. I just can't think of a better reason for all this fuss being made over a folk wine.