SAINTE GENEVIEVE^©

Album's version

Whenever will the rain end
Will I ever plow my fields again
That old river, my old friend
Rose up against me and stole my land
My daddy knew her and his father too, he said
"That river will be good to you"
Now I'm standing in a handout line for mercy
Cursing my river for taking back what she gave to me

Never will there be a price on
What's been lost aside from field and farm
Its dirty lives turned upside down
Faith in God ain't gonna save this town
Even darker days with no sleep
Laughin' through the tears of someone's TV floating down the street
The Governor came with the network news
Statin' how that river brought us down, down to our knees

Oh Sainte Genevieve
My Sainte Genevieve
Here I was born and raised
You are the heart and soul of me
Oh Sainte Genevieve
My Sainte Genevieve
That old gypsy river wants to take her share
I swear I'll never leave

Aaah
Aaah
Aaah
Oooo

Long ago, soft summer days
A tire roped above the river's edge
It was time to fish, time to dream
Fields of grain as far as the eye could see
Rain still fallin' and the river grows
It's memories lie under her muddy arroyo
I just can't turn my back and move
'Cause, oh, this is my home

Oh Sainte Genevieve
My Sainte Genevieve
Here I was born and raised
You are the heart and soul of me
Oh Sainte Genevieve
Sweet Sainte Genevieve
That old gypsy river wants to take her share
You know I'll never leave
Oh, she took her share
I'll stay right here, I ain't gonna leave

Page last updated: 07 Mar 2008

Music and lyrics by E Street Band member Soozie Tyrell, SAINTE GENEVIEVE is from her debut album White Lines which was released on 08 Apr 2003 on the Treasure Records label. Bruce Springsteen (along with Patti Scialfa) sings backing vocals on this track. He also plays guitar on WHITE LINES, the album's title track.

The album was recorded at Scullville Studios, Scullville, NJ. The tracks on which Springsteen appeared were cut in May 2002.

Bruce and Soozie (with her Studio Engineering Team) at Scullville in May 2002

"Soozie Tyrell has been one of the best kept secrets of the New York and New Jersey musicians community for a long time. This year she brought the raw beauty of her voice and violin to the E Street band. Here on 'White Lines' she gets a chance to step out and shine on her own. Check it out." -- Bruce Springsteen

The above lyrics are for the White Lines album's version.

Bruce Springsteen performed this song live once, on 02 May 2003 at the Stone Pony, Asbury Park, NJ. Soozie Tyrell was celebrating the release of her album with a show at the Stone Pony. Both Springsteen and Patti Scialfa were present. For SAINTE GENEVIEVE, which she called "my personal favorite... the best song I've ever written," she called up "two of my closest friends" to help her out. Patti and Bruce joined her onstage and sang backup vocals just just like they did on the album.

Above photo taken from Brucebase. Thanks Jake (ol'catfishinthelake from BTX and Greasy Lake) for the lyrics help.