Story Behind The Song
Pre-Katrina I was playing an acoustic show at a cajun/creole restaurant (in Indianapolis of all places) and across from the stage was an cartoon poster explaining how to eat crawfish. For some reason I was transfixed on the poster and after the gig I had the first line of the song in my head "She goes down to Mardi Gras, singing where has all the money gone" That line stayed in my lyric notebook for a couple years, and I eventually named "her" Maria and finished her story.
A fully produced version exists on this page called simply "Maria", it also appears on Peal's Beautiful Baby Elephant.
Song Description
This is an acoustic demo version of Dear Maria. The story of a girl through the eyes of someone who cares about her and is giving her advice. She's a young girl without any cares and they're advising her to take advantage of that. Somewhat set in New Orleans.
| Song Length |
3:28 |
Genre |
Pop - Rock, Country - Contemporary |
| Tempo |
Medium (111 - 130) |
Lead Vocal |
Male Vocal |
| Mood |
Cheerful, Welcoming |
Subject |
Change, Celebration |
| Similar Artists |
Matchbox Twenty, Goo Goo Dolls |
Language |
English |
| Era |
2000 and later |
| |
Lyrics
She goes down to Mardi Gras
singing where has money gone?
Flowers and beads are hanging in her hair
now shes dancing like shes queen of the fair
Old mississippi leads to Ponchatrain
Marching in time and washing fears away
She sets 'em up and they knock her down
it's so hard to drink hometown blues
she's stuck inside her shoes
Dear Maria walk away, You're own your own
Dear Maria It's OK everybody gets thrown
Well all your memories and all your yestredays will be there when youget home don't walk away run
after hours all night escapades
midwestern girls never get away
her one horse town keeps staking claim
still she's OK with rain on her parade.
She thinks shes got it made
Dear Maria Walk Away You're own your own
Dear Maria It's OK everybody gets thrown
Well all your memories and all your yestredays will be there when you get home don't walk away run
Daddy always counts the money
Momma's crying all alone
Everytime you think it's funny
that they left you all alone
but you're own your own
Dear Maria Walk Away You're own your own
Dear Maria It's OK everybody gets thrown
Well all your memories and all your yestredays will be there when you get home don't walk away run