Lyr Req: Maria Lavoe? Marie Laveau (Bobby Bare)

11 May 99 - 12:16 PM (#77530)
Subject: 'Maria Lavoe' ??
From: [e-mail]

I am looking for information about a song called (I believe) Maria Lavoe. It is about a witch in New Orleans. Any info is appreciated. Thanks in advance.

George

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11 May 99 - 12:58 PM (#77535)
Subject: RE: 'Maria Lavoe' ??
From: Frank of Toledo

Marie Laveau...Written by the late Shel Silverstein with Baxter Taylor, featured on the 1973 Bobby Bare album "Lullabyes, Legends And Lies", RCA Victor. Marie Laveau really lived. She was born when Spain still owned much of America; she lived through wars, epidemics and disasters, yet survived, won life's battles her own way and died around 1885. Marie Leveau was the last great American witch. She had little in common with the New England witches of Salem or the astrological taot-reading witches of today, for her art was born in African jungles and brought to America by the first slaves. Marie Laveau was truly a voodoo queen and by far the most important to reign in America. She lived in New Orleans and held meetings at Bayou St. John, just outside the city. Her personality was magnetic and her appearance striking. She was a beautiful witch. Marie became a legend in her own lifetime, yet was never convicted of any crime. Wild stories circulated about her, even in the newspapers of the day, yet nothing was ever proved. She committed murder, it was said, she consorted with Satan, thieved, blackmailed and procured. It is known she nursed wounded from the Battle of New Orleans, visited prisoners in jail, and tended to many yellow fever sufferers. Like most good deeds, they were forgotten. In legends, we choose only to remember the bizarre. "And she'd go """"Wheeeeeeeee" Another man done gone.

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11 May 99 - 02:41 PM (#77572)
Subject: Lyr Add: MARIE LAVEAU (Bobby Bare)
From: Tiger

Here it is....Tiger


MARIE LAVEAU
Written by Shel Silverstein and Baxter Taylor
As recorded by Bobby Bare on "Bobby Bare Sings Lullabies, Legends and Lies" (1974)

Down in Lou'siana, where the black trees grow,
Lives a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau.
She got a black-cat tooth and a mojo bone,
Anyone who wouldn't leave her alone,
She'd go: "(screech) another man done gone."

She lives in a swamp in a hollow log,
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog.
She got a bent, bony body and stringy hair,
And if she ever seen y'all messin' 'round there,
She'd go: "(screech) another man done gone."

And then one night when the moon was black,
Into the swamp come handsome Jack,
A no-good man like you all know,
And he was lookin' around for Marie Laveau.

He said, "Marie Laveau, you lovely witch,
Gimme a little charm that'll make me rich.
Gimme a million dollars and I tell you what I'll do:
This very night, I'm gonna marry you.
Then it'll be, mmmmmm, another man done gone."

So Marie done some magic, and she shook a little sand.
Made a million dollars and she put it in his hand.
Then she giggled and she wiggled, and she said, "Hey, Hey,
I'm gettin' ready for my weddin' day."

But old handsome Jack, he said, "Goodbye Marie.
You're too damned ugly for a rich man like me."
Then Marie started mumblin', her fangs started gnashin',
Her body started tremblin', and her eyes started flashin',
And she went: "(screech) another man done gone."

So if you ever git down where the black trees grow,
And meet a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau,
If she ever asks you to make her your wife,
Man, you better stay with her for the rest o' your life,
Or it'll be, "ooooh, another man done gone."

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