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.

I Knew She Was Wild

from Old Blue Truck by Charles de Lint

supported by
slantrange
slantrange thumbnail
/

  • 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

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    A real physical disc we send you in the mail with the beautiful cover by Michael Babinski

    Includes unlimited streaming of Old Blue Truck via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ships out within 3 days

      $10 USD or more 

     

about

The Wall of Death used to be a show at Ottawa's annual summer fair. If you're not familiar with it, this is where the audience would stand around the top of a tall wooden cylindrical structure, while bikers rode motorcycles around and around the sides of the wall, coming perilously close to the top, all the while flirting with the girls watching.

The memory brought the whole scene to life in my head and the song pretty much wrote itself, giving shout-outs to Elvis and "Oh Susanna" in the process.

lyrics

I met her at a carnival, by the Wall of Death
She was laughing her head off, I was holding my breath
I heard her say she likes whiskey, I had a small hip flask
When I offered her a shot, she said, I thought you'd never ask

refrain:
I knew she was wild, I didn't know she was crazy, too
Didn't know she was dangerous or what she might do
She's like an eighteen-wheeler chasing down the white line
Says the guy can keep up to me, I'll show him a good time

She says she knows Elvis, says she knows where he lives
Says it's not in Memphis, not anywhere you'd guess
Says he told her she was high class, told her she could go far
They had the chance to be real good friends, then she stole his car
refrain

She didn't come from Alabama, banjo on her knee
She doesn't know about coincidence or serendipity
Says there's no such thing as fate, we're living wild and free
There's no one you were meant to meet, except for her and me
refrain

bridge:
Sometimes late at night when the moon is high, I hear her crying in her sleep
I just hold her close till the feeling goes and she's smiling back at me

She was Tennessee born and bred, living up in the hills
If she hadn't joined the carnival, she'd be living there still
Her daddy makes moonshine, her mama's in the stir
Says she's got no problems, so long's I'm with her
refrain

credits

from Old Blue Truck, released March 1, 2011

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Charles de Lint image

Charles de Lint Ottawa, Ontario

A full-time writer and musician, this author of more than eighty adult, young adult, and children’s books has won the World Fantasy, Aurora, Sunburst, and White Pine awards, among others. Modern Library's Top 100 Books of the 20th Century poll, voted on by readers, put eight of de Lint's books among the top 100. De Lint is also a poet, artist, songwriter, performer and folklorist. ... more

contact / help

Contact Charles de Lint

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

Charles de Lint recommends:

If you like Charles de Lint, 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