Up On Cripple Creek - Lyrics

Lyrics

Drawing upon three of The Band's favorite themes -- The American South, American folk music, and alcoholism -- the song tells the story of a miner who goes to Lake Charles, Louisiana to stay with a local girl who he knows will put him up for free while he blows all his money on drinks. Although he admits to having some feelings for his "little Bessie", he uses her hospitality to drink himself to oblivion. At the end of the song, he pushes off once more for greener pastures, although with the stated intention of coming back to his Bessie.