This is the ninth song on Tori Amos's album Scarlet's Walk. (previous - next)
Before sundown
the Mexicans leave
San Antone
the car will then
Drop him at the Border
the breaking point
The story of Sweet Sangria takes place in Texas. The journey performed in this song is at the same time longer and shorter than the others. Our woman stays in one state, but she does go to the border of another country. It is the same on a personal level: While the other songs have dealt mostly with "mere love", this one touches the bigger - or smaller - philosphical questions. Yet in her other life journeys, she has been more deeply involved. In Sweet Sangria, Scarlet is more like arriving, assessing, and going "nah...".
You say that
I can't
see behind The mask
of those who call themselves
The Good Guys
in this
who take
and
take "so are
you with
Me or not
you say
this time
decide"
In liberal Austin, Texas, Scarlet meets with a Latin American revolutionary - a Zapatista? - and follows him and his ideas for a while. Still, she finds after a while that she may agree with his goal, but not his means. The journey described on the map goes from Austin to the Mexican border and back through the American state, where she leaves her revolutionary at the border, in Laredo.
I know
Your people
have suffered
time and time again
But what about
I ask you now
the innocents
on both
sides
Why is this song called Sweet Sangria? I don't know. Perhaps because it's slightly wonky, like someone intoxicated on tasty liquor. Sooner or later, you have to stop drinking.
Balmy days
sweet sangria
she's been gone
have you seen her
seņorita
shyly turning
away
leaving me
our
fading
flame
Yeah you think about that
Lines have been restructured and excluded to fit copyright issues - I'm not quoting the entire song, but small parts from it that give the gist.
CST Approved | 
