We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Our Lady of Woodsmoke, Pine Breeze and Sorrow

from Late for the War by Albert Rouzie

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Narrated by a bank guard, the song is about a poor woman who protests the bank's refusal to give her a home improvement loan.

lyrics

Our Lady of Wood Smoke, Pine Breeze and Sorrow

She strode in on a Friday, bank busy, abuzz.
Revolving door spun her in.
She smelled like wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow,
wrinkles circled her lips,
Tan skin neck, smooth as milk chocolate.

She sat in a chair at the loan manager’s desk.
I kept an eye trained on her.
Arm on arm, still as a windless night,
The other guard had eyes on a biker,
I watched over our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow.

She asked the man in the suit if they could make her a loan
To rehabilitate her falling down home.
He asked for collateral, she didn't have any,
Said she wouldn't need to borrow
If she had any money.

The man’s eyebrows arched, he shook his head no.
I hope you understand I’ll have to ask you to go.
She didn't move an inch, hands on the chair,
White knuckles from the pressure,
Eyes locked tight, they took each others’ measure.

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
She began to chant
“I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it”

[bridge to Dmin]
She made no motion to leave.
Here to take what she came to borrow,
Our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow.

A crowd gathered ‘round to gawk at the scene.
Thick with the blues her voice gathered steam.
The vault guard and I hoisted her chair
Aloft in the air she sang
“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it” again.

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
“I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it”

We blazed a wide trail through the crowd to the door.
She swore an oath she’d come back tomorrow.
Our lady of wood smoke, pine breeze and sorrow,
Head held high,
like the queen of England.
Outside the door, she resumed her chant.

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
“I knew it, I knew it, ah, ah ah ah I knew it”

“I knew it, I knew it, I knew it”
She began to chant
“I knew it, ah ah ah, ah ah ah ah I knew it”

credits

from Late for the War, released January 12, 2023
Albert Rouzie: vocals, guitar, electric bass
Bernie Nau: backing vocals

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Albert Rouzie image

Albert Rouzie Athens, Ohio

I have lived in New Orleans, piedmont North Carolina, Portland, Oregon, Austin, Texas, and Athens, Ohio, all places that have influenced my songwriting, a fusion of blues, folk, rock, and country cooked down to my own Americana gumbo. Songs range from offbeat fantasy to focused realism and love songs somewhere in between. I have three albums out, and one, Late for the War, due out in Jan. 2023. ... more

contact / help

Contact Albert Rouzie

Streaming and
Download help

Shipping and returns

Report this track or account

If you like Albert Rouzie, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Featuring Riley Pinkerton (aka The Rat Queen) from the theatrical NYC rockers, Castle Rat.
listen now