Sweet South Anna River

from Bittersweet by Alice Gerrard

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about

©lyrics and music by Alice Gerrard, Agate Hill Publishing, BMI
An homage to Elizabeth Cotten who told me this story about her wish.

lyrics

On the sweet South Anna River
Where the leafy waters flow
She whiled away her childhood days
In the sweet long ago.

Her voice echoes down the river
From the distant shores of home
Remember me, I am a queen
Don’t you cry when I’m gone.

CHO: And let the river carry me on
Past the redbud and the pine
And won’t you sing to me as I take my leave
You're gonna miss me all the time.

And when my life on earth is ended
And the music fades away
Don't lay me down in the cold dark ground
In some lonesome old grave

On the sweet South Anna River
Where soft breezes fan the air
Just lay me down in a silvery gown
Wild flowers in my hair.

Along the banks of the sweet South Anna
As far as eyes can see
As I pass by old friends of mine
Will wave goodbye to me.

Then goodbye my sweet South Anna
There's nothing can compare
Remember me, I was a queen
Wild flowers in my hair.

Remember me, I was a queen
You're gonna miss me when I'm gone.

credits

from Bittersweet, released May 1, 2013
Alice Gerrard-lead vocal
Beverly Smith, Laurie Lewis-harmony vocals
Barbara Higbie-piano
Bryan Sutton-guitar
Stuart Duncan-fiddle
Todd Phillips-string bass
Rushad Eggleston-cello

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all rights reserved

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about

Alice Gerrard Durham, North Carolina

A singer and songwriter, Alice’s recordings with Hazel Dickens during the 1960s and ’70s influenced a generation of women musicians from Laurie Lewis to the Judds. Nominated for a Grammy in 2015, she was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Assoc. Hall of Fame in 2017. A documentary film about Alice, "You Gave Me a Song" premiered at the Full Frame Independent Film Festival in 2019. ... more

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