Dar Williams - Iowa (live)

[@michaeltheaney]

My guess is that I've listened to this song 1,000 times by now. Way to keep in going, Dar. :)

[@edgarza2397]

At least not in row, right?

[@edgarza2397]

A jewel in the crown of Folk…

[@rickymark1]

What incredible human insight and poetic craftsmanship. I love every line. The screen door of discretion. Is no friend of mine. You were not thinking of me. Inside our houses and burn. Absolute perfection, including the pain, humor and hope..

[@carltondipman3989]

My wife and I saw Dar at the Bell House in Brooklyn, NY last night, (12/29/2023). Want to see her again!❤

[@AlphabetPublishing]

I've been listening to this song since that album came out in the mid-90s. Only 2 years ago did I get the reference to women and the hills of Iowa.

[@bryanwhite6178]

Every now and again I look up Iowa on things like KZbin, Pandora, or Spotify just to see what comes up. When I heard this I thought it was a beautiful song and wanted to find out more about the song itself. I was not firmilar with Dar Williams and had assumed that she was from Iowa as no one else writes about us or realizes we aren't flat. This story is not what I was expecting, but seems about right and still love the song. Also Iowa has an extensive railroad history including the first train robbery in the west by the James-Younger Gang and my county's local hero Kate Shelley.

[@reelfan-16]

You have a huge presence in The Music Man. Love that show!

[@bryanwhite6178]

@@reelfan-16 written by an Iowa native. The real version of State Fair also is about the Iowa State Fair, not sure why they remade it to be about Texas. Their's is so small.

[@sirris4330]

"Way back where I come from, we never mean to bother we don't like to make our passions other peoples concerns And we walk, in the world, of safe people and at night we walk into our houses.. and burn." I feel like people miss the power of this line, mainly the last part...its amazing poetry. I will leave the meaning up to you without giving my opinions.

[@daniellucy7805]

A meme has been going around asking for the "greatest line in a song ever" and I responded with this one. It's incredible.

[@sheilacork9692]

Absolutely outstanding craftsmanship......

[@LuckyDogDave]

Love this song... it's in the Dave's Basement Tracks Tri-State Playlist.

[@alleycatsphinx]

I woe.

[@fount4in]

beautiful

[@drb417]

thanks for sharing

[@rabbit0fur0coat]

Spent 15 (and perhaps my most formative) years in Iowa before moving about a year ago. I have always loved this song and it has done nothing but further ferment my Iowan pride...until I listened to this version tonight. #1, left out "and I'd do it again". #2, after the song she described her inspiration for the song and it wasn't even about Iowa?! Had she even been there? Very disappointed and I cannot listen to the song the same way.

[@merrill-el-richmond8649]

She said the inspiration was a reading of The Bridges of Madison County. I think that was based Madison County, IA. Hope this helps you come back to the song!

[@susanlevitt4873]

Hey, Iowa guy. Couple of things: 1. She left the “and I’d do it again.” Line for the audience. 2. I first heard Dar at my little college in Beloit, WI. She said that she’d written it passing through Iowa on her way to Beloit.

[@amyhintz471]

What is this song about