Matt King's Song 'Cursing The Ohio'

Matt King’s song “Cursing the Ohio” exemplifies multiple components of Southern art. Of these, its discussion of the concept of evil is the most evident. The husband in the song physically abuses his wife Lynn, leaving her with “bruises on her cheek,” while Lynn eventually murders her husband for the terrible acts he commits (King). These lyrics are sung casually and speak to the idea that evil is not something that can be solved, but rather something to be endured since neither of the two characters in the song make any notable attempt at solving their conflicts. Instead, they choose to inflict pain and death on each other. The subject of class also arises early in the song, as the husband is a “German immigrant five generation deeps” whose …show more content…
This lack of instrumentation is typical of Southern folk music, and the absence of drums is particularly notable. The musicality of the song is expressed through Amanfu’s voice and the twangs of the guitar rather than a conglomeration of other instruments. Amanfu’s voice itself is also soulful and full of emotion as she sings “Cathedrals,” further adding to the song’s charm. In addition to these musical traditions, the song also hints at themes of place. Vivid imagery and expressions depict various locations around the world from cathedrals with “fallen angels on the ceilings” to “sonic landscapes” as people move from place to place (Amanfu). These people are searching for where they belong, their place, and have yet to find it even in the vast cities of New York and Rome. This speaks to the idea that Southerners are often wanderers, constantly searching for where they belong. The travelers in “Cathedrals” are met with feelings of exclusion in the places they travel because they have yet to find their home; however, they will also “spend a lifetime” trying to find it