Jason Isbell - 'Palmetto Rose' (Live)

[@George-gf5xs]

You are that breath of fresh air to all scenses music and true life

[@danlong2948]

I've owned this album since the day to was released and this tune still makes the hair on my arms stand up. WOW!!!

[@MacGirls30752]

I’m a long time fan…this song is the best by far!

[@KLungwitz-Music]

Stunning song. I admit I didn't drill down on it for a long time. Then one day I did, and wow. Gives me goose bumps and makes me tear up.

[@jumpyonthehill]

So what's he talkin about ?

[@KLungwitz-Music]

Charleston, NC. Narrator hops a cab. Cabby not paying close attention and has a fatal wreck. But “in the slow motion minute between living and dead” the cabby tells the narrator his life story. He’s a descendant of enslaved people who has proudly made it to middle class with hard work. It references palmetto rose and baskets of sweet grass, floral art forms of African origin. He tries to ignore the lingering racism (somebody talking “some bullshit story about the Civil War…”) The song’s bridge is the hair raiser for me, especially the orchestral swell and Jason’s emotional delivery: “Out on Sullivan's Island they're swimming, On the beach where the big boats rolled in With the earliest slaves and their children Our first American kin” Today, people frolic and play, oblivious to the fact that slave ships docked there 130 years ago. Our protagonist laments as if asking, “Does anyone remember or care?” Why does our protagonist die? I’m not sure and would love to hear others. Maybe to symbolize how hard it was to come from enslaved ancestors, make it to middle class, how hard it is to sustain, and how quickly it can be taken away. Kicker: The record and this song were released one month after 9 African-Americans were murdered in their church in Charleston in June 2015. I am rarely sure what Jason means, but his songs stir me. I think about the tragedy of the 9 souls when I hear Palmetto Rose. I think it’s all connected, whether intentionally or not.

[@josephpeters2619]

@@KLungwitz-Musici really like your analysis. The palmetto rose is definitely one of his best metaphors. It perfectly symbolizes how the south (or US as a whole) historically not just ignored, but co-opted the achievements, culture, labor, etc of black people. What I love about the bridge is that it can be understood two different ways. On the one hand, the swimmers enjoying themselves can be thought of as ignorant of the history, but also simultaneously it demonstrates that the country can progress, that a place once associated with something as terrible as slavery can be made into a leisure spot (a spot for “following my own free will” to quote the song).

[@KLungwitz-Music]

@@josephpeters2619 really appreciate the thoughtful reply and the continued analysis of this great song

[@stevejhorton]

Charleston SC.. the Palmetto State.. my home​@@KLungwitz-Music

[@joshmcdevitt137]

An absolute legend.

[@matthewmulkey2901]

This song is soooooo underrated

[@jimpowers0810]

Not underrated in my book cuz it's the ladies I love & the law that I hate!!!

[@madronnie9725]

Beautiful song about a beautiful state

[@Accipiter22]

I love this guy's music, going back to Drive-By Truckers

[@tlockn]

Love this song

[@Catherine-d9j]

Bravo 🎉

[@wilsonhubbard6167]

"It's war the I wage to get up everyday..." Amazing.

[@wilsonhubbard6167]

"it's the ladies I love and the law that I hate..."

[@PenaltyKillah]

The verses & chorus/bridge sound like two very different songs, in terms of the arrangement. But lyrically, every part goes so well together. Wonderful performance!

[@kristianmurphy4606]

interesting perspective. i do feel that the tempo of the studio version serves the song well but i love the slower feel to the intro and verses here. jason can do no wrong apparently.

[@cpresto2]

changes meter, not tempo. goes from 4/4 to 6/8, so from a 4 pattern to a 3 pattern. you can count along with it. verse goes 1-2-3-4 1-2-3-4 and chorus goes 1-2-3 1-2-3.

[@scarfacewannabe101]

@@cpresto2 I've taken music appreciation in college and this guy gets it!

[@DEBRAH31]

Iodine State is South Carolina

[@gar949]

yes it is.

[@katiet4299]

home in a soundwave

[@gar949]

low country boy here! Lyrics touch my soul. McClellanville home town

[@nickautry7332]

A very Isbell lyric.

[@jumpyonthehill]

Which one is The Iodine State ?

[@davidphillips9173]

Lesser-known nickname for South Carolina. www.charlestoncitypaper.com/FeedbackFile/archives/2015/07/13/jason-isbell-gives-charleston-some-love-with-palmetto-rose

[@wilsonhubbard6167]

South Carolina

[@gar949]

we are also known as sand lappers

[@srikothur2845]

Please learn to write a fucking song that don’t make me cry.

[@lawnman1767]

Ok

[@rogerfish2585]

I thought they were from green hill for the most part