About the song
## A Timeless Tale: Vicki Lawrence’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”
Vicki Lawrence, a comedic actress and singer known for her role on the television show “Mama’s Family,” released the country ballad “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” in 1973. This poignant song, written by songwriter Jerry Butler, quickly became a chart-topping hit, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.
The song’s narrative unfolds a tragic love story set against the backdrop of a small Southern town. A young couple, deeply in love, finds themselves caught in a dangerous game of jealousy and betrayal. The night the lights go out, their lives take a tragic turn, leading to a heartbreaking conclusion.
Lawrence’s heartfelt vocals beautifully convey the emotional depth of the song. Her voice, rich and expressive, captures the sorrow and longing of the narrator. The melody, both haunting and melodic, complements the lyrical content, creating a powerful and evocative atmosphere.
The song’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of the setting and the characters’ emotions. The imagery is evocative, drawing listeners into the story and making them feel the pain and loss experienced by the narrator. The song’s themes of love, jealousy, and betrayal are universal, resonating with audiences of all ages.
“The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” is more than just a popular country song. It is a timeless tale of love, loss, and the consequences of our actions. Lawrence’s powerful performance and the song’s evocative lyrics have ensured its enduring popularity. It remains a classic that continues to touch the hearts of listeners today.
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Lyrics
He was on his way home from Candletop
Been two weeks gone, and he’d thought he’d stop
At Web’s and have him a drink ‘fore he went home to her
Andy Warlord said, “Hello”
He said, “Hi, what’s doin’?”
Wo said, “Sit down, I got some bad news and it’s gonna hurt”
He said, “I’m your best friend, and you know that’s right
But your young bride ain’t home tonight
Since you been gone, she’s been seeing that Amos boy, Seth”
Well he got mad, and he saw red
Andy said, “Boy, don’t you lose your head
‘Cause to tell you the truth, I’ve been with her myself”
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got blood stains on his hands
Well Andy got scared, and left the bar
Walkin’ on home, ’cause he didn’t live far
See, Andy didn’t have many friends and he just lost him one
Brother thought his wife musta left town
So he went home and finally found
The only thing Papa had left him, and that was a gun
And he went off to Andy’s house
And slippin’ through the back woods quiet as a mouse
Came upon some tracks too small for Andy to make
He looked through the screen at the back porch door
And he saw Andy lyin’ on the floor
In a puddle of blood, and he started to shake
Well, the Georgia patrol was making their rounds
So he fired a shot just to flag ’em down
And a big-bellied sheriff grabbed his gun and said, “Why’d you do it?”
And the judge said “guilty” in a make-believe trial
Slapped the sheriff on the back with a smile
Said, “Supper’s waitin’ at home, and I gotta get to it”
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got blood stains on his hands
Well, they hung my brother before I could say
The tracks he saw while on his way to Andy’s house and back that night were mine
And his cheatin’ wife had never left town
And that’s one body that’ll never be found
See, little sister don’t miss when she aims her gun
That’s the night that the lights went out in Georgia, oh, oh-oh
That’s the night that they hung an innocent man, uh huh
Well, don’t trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
‘Cause the judge in the town’s got blood stains on his hands, oh