The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Reba McEntire · 50 Greatest Hits [2008]
Been two weeks gone, and he'd thought he'd stop
At Web's, and have him a drink 'fore he went home to her
Andy Wo-Lo said, hello
He said, hi, what's doin'
Wo said, sit down, I got some bad news and it's gonna hurt
He said, I'm your best friend, and you know that's right
But your young bride ain't home tonight
Since you been gone, she's been seeing that Amos boy, Seth
Now he got mad, and he saw red
Andy said, boy, don't you lose your head
Cause to tell you the truth, I've been with her myself
That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town's got blood stains on his hands
Well Andy got scared, and left the bar
Walkin' on home, cause he didn't live far
You see, Andy didn't have many friends
And he just lost him one
Brother thought his wife must've left town
So he went home and finally found
The only thing Daddy had left him, and that was a gun
He went off to Andy's house
Slippin' through the back woods, quiet as a mouse
Came upon some tracks, too small for Andy to make
He looked through the screen at the back porch door
And he saw Andy, lyin' on the floor
In a puddle of blood, and he started to shake
Georgia patrol was making their rounds
So he fired a shot just to flag them down
A big-bellied sherriff grabbed his gun and said
Why'd you do it
Judge said guilty, on a make-believe trial
Slapped the sherriff on the back with a smile
And said, supper's waitin' at home, and I gotta get to it
That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town's got blood stains on his hands
Well, they hung my brother before I could say
The tracks he saw while on his way
To Andy's house and back that night, were mine
And his cheatin' wife had never left town
That's one body that'll never be found
You see, little sister don't miss when she aims her gun
That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town's got blood stains on his hands
That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia
That's the night that they hung an innocent man
Well, don't trust your soul to no backwoods, southern lawyer
Cause the judge in the town's got blood stains on his hands
The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia
Reba McEntire's 'The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia' stands as a defining anthem of the country music genre, capturing the emotional resonance of a community facing natural disaster. Recorded for her 2008 compilation '50 Greatest Hits,' the track showcases McEntire's signature vocal power and storytelling ability, blending traditional country instrumentation with a narrative of resilience and hope. The song became a cultural touchstone following Hurricane Katrina, resonating deeply with audiences across the nation who shared its themes of unity and survival. Its inclusion in her extensive discography highlights her status as a leading figure in modern country music, where her ability to convey personal struggle through universal themes has earned her enduring popularity and critical acclaim throughout her career.