Lucinda Williams — Sweet Old World
Album: Sweet Old WorldAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 899
Length: 3:59
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See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
The breath from your own lips, the touch of fingertips
A sweet and tender kiss
The sound of a midnight train, wearing someone's ring
Someone calling your name
Somebody so warm cradled in your arms
Didn't you think you were worth anything
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
Millions of us in love, promises made good
Your own flesh and blood
Looking for some truth, dancing with no shoes
The beat, the rhythm, the blues
The pounding of your heart's drum together with another one
Didn't you think anyone loved you
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
The breath from your own lips, the touch of fingertips
A sweet and tender kiss
The sound of a midnight train, wearing someone's ring
Someone calling your name
Somebody so warm cradled in your arms
Didn't you think you were worth anything
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
Millions of us in love, promises made good
Your own flesh and blood
Looking for some truth, dancing with no shoes
The beat, the rhythm, the blues
The pounding of your heart's drum together with another one
Didn't you think anyone loved you
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
See what you lost when you left this world, this sweet old world
Comments (52)add comment
Sigh. She's great.
More solid stuff from lucinda, and just upped this to a 9
I just wonder who she’s talking about. Someone near and dear, for sure.
She always has such a fine band. To play that well yet retain the melancholy of the song is not easy.
These three albums: Sweet Old World, the gravel road album, and Essence are truly magnificent.
I sure wish she would tour the midwest this Summer. Perfect road trip.
I sure wish she would tour the midwest this Summer. Perfect road trip.
Hits hard. A solid 9.
Godlike. So heartfelt.
Beautiful song, just beautiful.
You can’t dismiss Lucinda Williams when she’s created this.
bump to a 9!
hayduke2 wrote:
This entire album is the same way.
Godlike imho, damn she's got one of those voices that captures me and holds on with a sure warm strength
This entire album is the same way.
This makes me sad.
I sure would like to see her and Kathleen Edwards tour together. .
hayduke2 wrote:
With "a sure warm strength." Oh! Well said!
Godlike imho, damn she's got one of those voices that captures me and holds on with a sure warm strength
With "a sure warm strength." Oh! Well said!
One of her best, IMHO!
Lucinda Williams is one of this country's real treasures. Surely a sad song. One does not need to have known a suicide to feel the depths of the pain that is left with others. But, in truth, this is simply a beautiful composition.
This has to go into the book of standards. It's a perfect American Song.
terrapin52 wrote:
It was for the poet Frank Stanford. He died of suicide.
Death is a good word.
It often returns
When it is very
Dark outside and hot,
Like a fisherman
Over the limit,
Without pain, sex,
Or melancholy.
Young as I am, I
Hold light for this boat.
When the rest of you
Were being children
I became a monk
To my own listing
Imagination.
Nights and days floated
Over the whorehouse
Like webs on the lake,
A monastery
Full of noise and girls.
The moon throws the knives.
The poets echo goodbye,
Towing silence too.
Near my house was an
Island, where a horse
Lathered up alone.
Oh, Abednego
He was called, dusky,
Cruel as a poem
To a black gypsy.
Sadness and whiskey
Cost more than friends.
I visit prisons,
Orphanages, joints,
Hoping I'll see them
Again. Willows, ice,
Minnows, no money.
You'll have to say it
Soon, you know. To your
Wife, your child, yourself.
Frank Stanford, ©1979.
It was for the poet Frank Stanford. He died of suicide.
Death is a good word.
It often returns
When it is very
Dark outside and hot,
Like a fisherman
Over the limit,
Without pain, sex,
Or melancholy.
Young as I am, I
Hold light for this boat.
When the rest of you
Were being children
I became a monk
To my own listing
Imagination.
Nights and days floated
Over the whorehouse
Like webs on the lake,
A monastery
Full of noise and girls.
The moon throws the knives.
The poets echo goodbye,
Towing silence too.
Near my house was an
Island, where a horse
Lathered up alone.
Oh, Abednego
He was called, dusky,
Cruel as a poem
To a black gypsy.
Sadness and whiskey
Cost more than friends.
I visit prisons,
Orphanages, joints,
Hoping I'll see them
Again. Willows, ice,
Minnows, no money.
You'll have to say it
Soon, you know. To your
Wife, your child, yourself.
Frank Stanford, ©1979.
lily34 wrote:
This is her 4th album but most consider it her 2nd because she was with a more established record label, released in 1992
when was this recorded? she sounds so young, and so different!
This is her 4th album but most consider it her 2nd because she was with a more established record label, released in 1992
Beatiful medley
ginniet wrote:
Yup
Too sad. Makes me think of a good friend from childhood who killed himself 5 years ago last month.
:-(
Godlike imho, damn she's got one of those voices that captures me and holds on with a sure warm strength
This always makes me cry ...
when was this recorded? she sounds so young, and so different!
Paralyzing song. Too many gone.
No no never again, please!
This really hit me hard tonight. 
Too sad. Makes me think of a good friend from childhood who killed himself 5 years ago last month.
:-(
tcdc52 wrote:
Cass Eliot? Anyone? Just me? Otay.
I too thought it sounded like Joan Baez...almost but not quite. What a beautiful song and such sweet/simple instrumentals. I like it. Sad songs are such sweet sorrow.
Cass Eliot? Anyone? Just me? Otay.
coachc wrote:
...... as much as I like this version, agree on Emmylou which is better although Lucinda still gets a 10
I like Emmylou's version better.
...... as much as I like this version, agree on Emmylou which is better although Lucinda still gets a 10
Yeah, baby, yeah!
This one and Essence are her best albums.
But she has to tour more and she does tours well. What gives?
I too thought it sounded like Joan Baez...almost but not quite. What a beautiful song and such sweet/simple instrumentals. I like it. Sad songs are such sweet sorrow.
.Just heavenly..,
I first thought I was listening to Joan Baez ... similar voice and vibrato.
Emmylou's cover is an 11+ IMHO...
Sorry - rated this as a 10 ...
Sorry - rated this as a 10 ...
I like Emmylou's version better.
This song just breaks me. I miss my friends.
This lovely song makes me cry like a baby.
Damn, Lucinda sings nice when she sobers up!
Bill, adding that background to this song really brings it home.
kingart wrote:
Unfortunately, years of HARD LIVING really took a toll on Lucinda's voice.
Lucinda is sometimes not to my taste, but I give her all the credit she can get as a great singer songwriter. Still, I've not heard sing quite so well as here.
Unfortunately, years of HARD LIVING really took a toll on Lucinda's voice.
Love this song.
AT LAST!!! Playing some Lucinda back when she could SING....this entire album is a jewel!!!
Lucinda is sometimes not to my taste, but I give her all the credit she can get as a great singer songwriter. Still, I've not heard sing quite so well as here.
bokey wrote:
It was for the poet Frank Stanford. He died of suicide.
Bill - she didn't write this about her brother.It was about a Texas guitar player named Ace or Lefty(I think) who got offed in a parking lot bar fight.
It was for the poet Frank Stanford. He died of suicide.
Aah, not another really sad song. Shoot, is the universe wanting me to let a little tears out today?
Bill - she didn't write this about her brother. It was about a Texas guitar player named Ace or Lefty(I think) who got offed in a parking lot bar fight.
I've heard Emmylou Harris' version off of Wrecking Ball and loved it. Am glad to experience the original, though. Lucinda is a class act.
on my reasons to live list...
I find that the more recent Lucinda Williams work is possibly too self-consciously done. I only know this song from a later album (actually it was Emmylou Harris's version). This is the stuff of hers that shows how good she can be.
Lucinda's singing is appropriately, for the song, restrained and intimate on this track. Her accent is still there though it too is somewhat restrained.
A Southerner, commenter, on another of her tracks noted that any Southerner can crank it up or dial it down (the accent) as needed. This is proof of that.
The accent is an artistic choice deliberately utilized by the artist as they feel best fits a particular song and like any other artistic choice, individual listeners may like or may not. And that's just fine by me.
I don't decide what artists do, nor do I wish to, but I can understand if I like what they do or not.
I deeply appreciate Lucinda Williams' art.