“Georgia Lee” by Tom Waits

On this song, Tom Waits talks about the abduction and killing of a young black American lady called Georgia Lee Moses in California. The death became an issue in the country because much wasn’t said about the 12-year old when she was first announced missing. Many criticized the media for sleeping on the case until she was found dead in a bush. Making reference to the incidence, Waits asks why the little girl didn’t get help from anyone, even from the Supreme Being. Among others, he also points out the dangers on the street that kids are exposed to when they go out to play.

Writing and Release of “Georgia Lee”

This song was released in April 1999 and was the 13^th track on Waits’ album entitled “Mule Variations”. According to him, he was inspired by the lack of publicity that the little girl received when she was abducted. He also disclosed that he didn’t intend to put the song on the album but was convinced by his daughter. The song was written by the singer with help from Kathleen Brennan.

The abduction and murder of Georgia Lee Moses

Georgia Lee Moses was first reported missing on August 13, 1997 and no one knew the whereabouts of the then 12-year old African-American lady. Her disappearance wasn’t given enough coverage from the media until she was found lying dead in between a number of tress in the town of South Petaluma. Reports indicated that, prior to her disappearance, she was seen with a 6-feet, 4-inches African-American man at the junction of the Sebastopol, and the Dutton Avenue roads. She was said to be in a white top and a blue jeans pants with a white windbreaker.

The public raised lots of issues about the killing of the girl. While a section argued that the lady wouldn’t have been killed if her supposed kidnapping was given much attention by the media. Others also expressed their disappointment about how law enforcers delayed in arresting the perpetuators of the act.

Until 2012, an angel sculpture, which was produced by two firefighters from Petaluma, was anchored at the location where the body was found. However, due to construction works in that area, the sculpture was relocated.