About the song
“Bobby Bare – Marie Laveau” is a captivating country song that weaves together elements of folklore and history into a compelling narrative. Released in 1974, this song is a standout track from Bobby Bare’s album “Lullabys, Legends and Lies.”
Written by Shel Silverstein, a master storyteller and renowned songwriter, “Marie Laveau” tells the tale of the legendary voodoo queen of New Orleans. With its haunting melody and evocative lyrics, the song transports listeners to the mysterious world of the Louisiana bayou, where Marie Laveau’s mystical powers are said to have held sway.
The song became a hit for Bobby Bare, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in 1974. Its success solidified Bare’s reputation as a versatile and talented artist who could bring to life the rich tapestry of American folklore through his music.
In “Marie Laveau,” Bare’s emotive delivery and Silverstein’s vivid imagery come together to create a spellbinding listening experience. The song paints a vivid portrait of Marie Laveau, capturing both the allure and the enigma of this legendary figure.
For older listeners who appreciate the storytelling tradition of classic country music, “Marie Laveau” is a beloved favorite that continues to enchant and captivate audiences to this day. Its timeless appeal and haunting melody make it a standout track in Bobby Bare’s extensive catalog of hits.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of Bobby Bare or discovering his music for the first time, “Marie Laveau” is a song that transports you to another time and place, where the magic of music meets the mystique of legend.
Video
Lyrics
The most famous of the voodoo queens that ever existed
Is Marie Laveau, down in Louisiana
There’s a lot of weird ungodly tales about Marie
She’s supposed to have a lot of magic potions, spells and curses
Down in Louisiana, where the black trees grow
Lives a voodoo lady named Marie Laveau
She got a black cat’s tooth and a Mojo bone
And anyone who wouldn’t leave her alone
She’d go… another man done gone
She lives in a swamp in a hollow log
With a one-eyed snake and a three-legged dog
Bent, bony body, and stringy hair
And if she ever seen y’all messin’ ’round there
She’d go… 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 (mm), 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… another man done gone
So if you ever get 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 of your life
Or it’ll be (ooh-wee) another man done gone