Iris DeMent - Sing The Delta Lyrics






So you're heading down a southern way
Passing through the delta some time today
In my mind pictures line the walls
Of a place I used to know and vividly recall
I love you so much and you sure sing good
It would mean so much to me if you would
Sing the Delta a love song for me

It's the land where the cotton used to grow
That owns a piece of my heart and soul
It's where my people on both sides going back
Eked out a livin' farmin' and fillin' cotton sacks
Dad took us west when I was a little child
But it's in my blood, flowing strong and wild
Sing the Delta a love song for me

Sing the Delta a love song for me
Lay it down on that river, Let it roll on out to sea
The Delta lived in my mama's voice and in her hands
It's a language my spirit understands
Sing the Delta a love song for me

You give it all just the way your daddy does
You both got your demons but they're cloaked in love
And I know that life's puttin' your callin' to the test
But you've got something that sets you right up 'long side the very best
So take that heart good as heaven every made
And that voice that lays like August in the shade
And sing the Delta a love song for me

Sing the Delta a love song for me
Let it rock that old cradle and roll on out to sea
I've been east, I've been west and north
From that sweetness I just can't ever divorce
Sing the Delta a love song for me





Other Lyrics by Artist

Rand Lyrics

Last Posts

Iris DeMent Sing The Delta Comments
  1. D.... M....

    My favourite female country singer, wish she could make more music.

  2. C.... ....

    I've loved Iris since the first time I heard Infamous Angel on NPR in '92. She's an amazing singer and writer - one of the greatest. This album - Sing The Delta is - actually there aren't words enough - listen to Mornin' Glory and you'll know why I'm at a loss for words!

  3. J.... M....

    Beautiful

  4. L.... r....

    I got the pleasure to meet iris in Louisville Ky back in the mid 90s. She put on such a great show. After the show she came to the bar and spent a good amount of time with us. She was so real and down to earth. I even have a picture of her kissing my cheek that I will always cherish. In my opinion she’s right up there with all the great ones, and I’ll always be a big fan..

  5. R.... B....

    Iris,I love you so much, and you sure sing good.  Amen and Amen !!!

  6. D.... L....

    Now this one lapses into a certain turgidity by about halfway through, surely! Who on a course for 'heaven' can possibly afford to indulge in that?

  7. W.... S....

    One of my new favorites for a couple years !

  8. R.... A....

    I live in New Zealand. I've never been to the delta... but if you're lucky you have your own place called home. Memories, dreams, they leave a mark and yearning is yearning. What a song and what a singer.

  9. L.... E....

    The voice of Iris DeMent is unique and wonderful.

  10. Y.... E....

    So you're headed down a Southern way
    Passing thru the Delta some time today?
    In my mind, pictures line the walls
    Of a place I used to know, and vividly recall
    I love you so much, and you sure sing good
    And it would mean so much to me, if you would
    Sing the Delta a love song for me!
    It's the land where the cotton used to grow
    That owns a piece of my heart and soul
    It's where my people, on both sides, going back
    Eked-out a living farming and filling them old cotton sacks
    Dad took us West when I was a little child
    But it's in my blood, and it's still flowing strong and wild
    Sing the Delta a love song for me!

    [Chorus]
    Sing the Delta a love song for me!
    Lay it down on that ole river, let it roll on out to the sea!
    The Delta lived in my Momma's voice and in her hands
    It's a language my spirit understands, so
    Sing the Delta a love song for me?

    [Verse 2]
    You give it all just the way your Daddy does
    You both got your demons, but they're cloaked in love
    And I know that life's putting your calling to the test
    But you've got something that sets you right up 'long side the very best
    So take that heart, good as Heaven ever made
    And that voice that lays like August in the shade
    And sing the Delta a love song for me!

    Y.... E....

    Young Eagle, I have seen your posts on many of Iris' songs. Thank you for giving us the lyrics to her music.

  11. T.... D....

    she is amazingly underloved, and that is why her legend will be longer. So few feel it yet, but they will feel it then.

  12. J.... P....

    Iris,
    You need a new manager, publicist or whatever. I was breastfed country & bluegrass music and I only discovered you on YouTube when searching John Prines’ music and found your duet. I’m 70 years old! WTF?! Shouldn’t have to dig that far to find your (as American as it gets) truly authentic country-soul music.
    Girl, you’re the hood ornament on the trademark American music Cadillac

    J.... P....

    I'm lucky - I heard her on NPR in '92 when her album Infamous Angel was released. I've loved her ever since. Sing the Delta is a MUST BUY - Mornin' Glory will change your life!

    J.... P....

    She sings the truth, therefore Corporate Media wants nothing to do with her. I just discovered her myself.

  13. A.... B....

    With extraordinary clarity and poise, her voice conveys that beautiful and distinct call to the heart. There's a deep history in her singing beyond the American horizon. It's a call to the "genetic memory" of all human beings.

  14. D.... I....

    The scooping of the notes drives me nuts.

    D.... I....

    In a good way?

  15. E.... D....

    Clean air, thank you.

  16. G.... P....

    This is Beautiful - for Jessica who I will always love - Hope you are happy Jesse!

  17. V.... ....

    Iris, I love this song so much....Thank you.

  18. B.... R....

    Time is flying. Seems like I just got this cd in the mail a few months ago. Originals are precious and few, but she's one.

    B.... R....

    +B Reynolds She is, indeed.

  19. a.... p....

    I'm home and far away and it all comes together when I hear your voice and song. You live the dream I struggle to live. Thank you for showing me you can do it. Even at 45 I still write the words of my life because someday they will bring peace and solitude to some young person who thinks no one feels their pain and hears their cries for Spiritual livin' and answers for their unselfish giving when they lack the knowledge to see that giving is not to receive but to heal the cracks that others have made in our continuous circle of life. We matter.

    a.... p....

    +alta pape
    Well stated. Merry Christmas, alta pape... wherever you are. :O)

    a.... p....

    Merry Christmas to you Sock Puppet and a Blessed New Year!

  20. G.... M....

    wow - listening to this clear true beautiful voice straight from the heart is balm for my soul. thanks you Iris for this album and for your truth!

  21. J.... B....

    just brilliant -= ty for posting

  22. R.... ....

    how could i live 53 years without her music...?

    R.... ....

    +Reiffan 70 But we can catch up.

  23. B.... B....

    I love this woman, her music, her voice, her way with things....

  24. T.... H....

    "You both got your demons but theyre cloaked in love" My favorite line

  25. G.... M....

    When shivers run through your body and you struggle to hold a tear behind your eye, then you have just listened to something truly beautiful. The sign of a true artist.

    G.... M....

    +Glenn Merrilees You said that right Glenn. Thank You.

    G.... M....

    Glenn, YOU are a poet! Expressed so precisely! TU -MM in Colorado

    G.... M....

    Oh YES! Morning' Glory does it to me every time!

  26. r.... s....

    An Englishman sat in Ireland listening to this amazing lady across the Big Pond and thinking what a jewel, I love all of Irisi's songs but this truely is a classic and deserves a far wider audience.

    r.... s....

    I couldn't agree more Roger. Cheers from the Mississippi Delta.

  27. D.... D....

    I like to start my day with this song

  28. D.... M....

    Jaysus knock me down , gal !! Can hardly stand it ! Comment tu as fait quelque chose si beau !?!
    Merci mille fois !!!

  29. s.... ....

    awestruck what a flower

    s.... ....

    sbaugess Forever in full bloom. Yes indeed!

    s.... ....

    Iris Dement is wonderful........
    Hannelore Antes Germany

  30. D.... D....

    I'm rediscovering good music. This is beautiful. Thanks Iris

  31. P.... M....

    I love Iris.

  32. A.... M....

    I believe it. I only became aware of her this morning via the Mountain Stage radio show broadcast on WFUV-FM! (lol) Anyway, it's better late than never.

  33. A.... M....

    Howdy, Iris! Your voice and song compositions are very precious. Thank you for sharing all with us. My best to you always!

  34. b.... ....

    In person she is also flawless. An American treasure.

  35. R.... S....

    Even here across the big pond the beauty and piognancy of both the lyrics and the voice brings tears to my eyes.

  36. J.... P....

    Baby the water is listening to you...

  37. b.... ....

    o.m.g shes so good

  38. N.... v....

    oh mi god.she goes inside my soul. how can she do that?

  39. k.... ....

    from La to la ..hope you peace :) from denham springs....time to come back home :)

  40. c.... ....

    wonderful, What a comeback, album of the year!

  41. P.... R....

    Absolutely brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  42. x.... ....

    kudos. much love from los angeles by way of louisiana.

  43. S.... ....

    It's a great album. I've been listening to it since I received it three days ago.

  44. P.... ....

    One of the most honest singing voices I have ever come across. Enjoying the new album, too. Even non-fans of Iris' music should pick it up and give it a serious listen. It's really that damn good!
    ;-)

  45. B.... r....

    arkansas misses you. love your instrument! keep singing please.

  46. m.... g....

    16 for original material, 8 since the gospel album.

  47. D.... ....

    8 year absence, not 16.

    D.... ....

    Yes , Iris Dement is really a wonderful singer , songwriter ! love
    her music a lot of years !
    Hannelore Antes Germany

  48. j.... ....

    I love Iris!

  49. c.... ....

    So beautiful; already ordered the album.

  50. B.... C....

    Finally, someone who can sing.

  51. k.... ....

    It's so beautiful.....could you upload any more from this album plz? and ty for posting !!

  52. T.... E....

    this is just fantastic.. she is a great songwriter and singer.... her albums have great qulity

  53. m.... g....

    I found this elsewhere on the net and have been playing it over and over-it's just sooo good! By this example, Iris hasn't lost her touch in the 16 year absence of a record. I can't wait to hear the rest of the album!