Farewell to Storyville (Good Time Flat Blues)

Song Meaning

This track paints a vivid picture of a district's demise, framing it as a forced end to a specific kind of pleasure. The lyrics directly address the "old time queens" of New Orleans' Storyville, noting their role in singing the blues and trying to "amuse." The narrative quickly shifts to the external force shutting it all down: "The law stepped in and called it sin," leading to the definitive statement, "Storyville's all done." The central tension lies in the abrupt cessation of a lifestyle and the subsequent need for its inhabitants to move on. The chorus acts as a directive, urging the women to "Pick out your steamboat, babe" or "Pick yourself a train." This isn't just about travel; it's about escape and displacement, underscored by the harsh reality that "They'll never let you back." The repeated phrase "No use complainin'" highlights a resignation to this unavoidable change, even as the bluesy undertones suggest a lingering sadness. The most striking element is the contrast between the "fun" and "sin" that defined Storyville and the cold, bureaucratic "law" that ended it. The lyrics present a pragmatic, almost detached instruction to leave, emphasizing the finality of the situation. The repeated line "Blue skies follow rain" offers a sliver of hope, but it's immediately qualified by "the cold, old rain," suggesting that any silver lining comes with its own brand of hardship. The finality of "Farewell to Storyville" is a somber acknowledgment of an era's end. What makes these lyrics resonate is their direct, unvarnished portrayal of displacement. There's no flowery language, just a clear account of a place and its people being shut down. The imperative tone of the chorus, coupled with the resigned "no use complainin'," captures the complex emotions of those forced to leave behind a life, however controversial, that was their own. It’s a stark reminder that even places built for pleasure can be abruptly dismantled by external forces.