Lyric discussion by mike2 

Cover art for Lake Charles lyrics by Lucinda Williams

Good Lord do I love this song - such a beautiful melancholy groove. I love this song that I went out my way to visit Nacogdoches. I wish I were born in Nacogdoches - it sounds so badass.

To me the meaning of this song is quite literal; it's about someone who crashed his car into/near Lake Charles. Down the Lousiana highway Across Lake Ponchatrain Now your soul is in Lake Charles No matter what they say Did an angel whisper in your ear And hold you close and take away your fear In those long last moments

The line about the angel whispering in his ear the moment before the crash says it all. Such a lyrical song surely has different meanings for different people, but this literal interpretation works for me.

My Interpretation

The world needs more songs about car crashes.