Friday, March 9, 2012

Cradle Hymns - III: Perdition and Seduction

Seduction, divorce, death, and loose living are realities for many mothers but rarely make it into cradle songs. Emmylou Harris' song, Didn't Leave Nobody but the Baby," is quite disturbing lyrically - "you and me and the devil makes three..." - and sweet and sultry musically. "Everybody's gone in the cotton and the corn..." - the baby seems an afterthought, someone to sing to while getting gussied up for a night on the town or for skipping town.

The below scene is from Oh Brother, Where Art Thou? The song and scene caused a bit of a controversy for being unsuitable as a lullaby, especially framed with this staging. 

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