Lyr Add: Annabelle Lee (Bob Neuwirth)

14 May 01 - 12:48 AM (#461768)
Subject: Lyr Add: ANNABELLE LEE (Bob Neuwirth)
From: Stewie

The thread about Poe's 'Annabel Lee', reminded me of this beaut song by Neuwirth, one of my favourite singer/songwriters:

ANNABELLE LEE
(Bob Neuwirth)

The sound of a Dixieland band reminds me of a garden where
The old ladies sit in the shade and flutter their fans
All gathered together to gossip with a bunch of old colonels
And charm the swans from the ponds with lily-white hands

And is that the singing of Annabelle Lee that I hear?
Is that the ghost of the lady that I'm dying to see?
Is it the ether that makes these echoes that I hear?
A lady is still a lady to me

Growing up reckless some place on the edge of the city
Learning to take danger as a matter of course not concern
What's the difference if there's no light in the alley
When you're so down and alone that you've got no place to turn

Is that the singing of Annabelle Lee that I hear?
Is it the ghost of the lady I'm dying to see?
Is it the ether that makes these footsteps in my ear?
An alley is only an alley to me
And a the lady is still a part of my memory

Words and music by Bob Neuwirth
Source: transcription from Bob Neuwirth 'Back to the Front' Koch KOC-CD-8009. PS.

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16 Sep 22 - 02:39 PM (#4152668)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Annabelle Lee (Bob Neuwirth)
From: GUEST,J Y

I first listened to this song in the early 90s, and of course fell in love with it.

Thought then about Poe's poem but not having anyone to talk this with I soon after forgot of this kinship ( in my opinion).

I've listened to the song many many more times since as I also believe B.N. to be one of the greatest poets of song (acquired all I could of his work while I was still buying records,CDs...). Townes is another "miracle". There are quite a few more, luckily. In Spanish as well, the only other language I know fairly decently, my native tongue BTW.

Listening today again, and now w. this great technology at hand I found the poem, and next this entry. Glad I'm not the only one who sees these 2 gents as related. Booze figures quite a bit in Newirth's writing. And Poe's and Townes van Zandt's....
Not trying to theorise about anything here....ha!
Best day you may have, to all.

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17 Sep 22 - 12:35 AM (#4152703)
Subject: RE: Lyr Add: Annabelle Lee (Bob Neuwirth)
From: Neil D

T-Bone Burnett has a beautiful version on his self-titled album.

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