Doc played guitar in both flatpicking and fingerpicking style, but was best known for his flatpick work. His virtuosity combined with his authenticity as a mountain musician made him a highly influential figure during the folk music revival. He pioneered the fast and flashy bluegrass lead guitar style which has been adopted and extended by others such as Clarence White and Tony Rice. He was also an accomplished banjo player and in the past had accompanied himself on harmonica as well.
In 1986 he received the North Carolina Award and in 2000 he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. In 1997, Doc received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton.
He was generally joined on stage by his grandson and Merle's son Richard as well as his musical partner of twenty years, Jack Lawrence.
He was host to the annual MerleFest music festival held every April at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The festival features a vast array of acoustic style music focusing on the folk, bluegrass, blues and old time music genres. It's named in honor of Merle Watson and is one of the most popular acoustic music festivals in the world, drawing over 85,000 music fans each year.
In late May 2012, Watson was listed in critical condition but was responsive at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after undergoing colon surgery. Watson had fallen early in the week. Watson did not break any bones, but an underlying condition prompted the surgery. Watson died on May 29, 2012 at the medical center at the age of 89.
Deep River Blues
Doc Watson Lyrics
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'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
My old gal's a good old pal, and she looks like a water fowl
When I get them deep river blues
Ain't no one to cry for me, and the fish all go out on a spree
When I get them deep river blues
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
'Cause I got them deep river blues
I'm goin' back to Muscle Shoals, times are better there I'm told
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
If my boat sinks with me, I'll go down, don't you see
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Now I'm gonna say goodbye, and if I sink, just let me die
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
'Cause I got them deep river blues
Doc Watson's "Deep River Blues" is a song that reflects the heartache and sense of loss that the singer is experiencing as he navigates through a stormy period in his life. It's a melancholic tune that deals with the pain of loneliness and trying to move on from difficult situations. He begins the song by saying "let it rain, let it pour", expressing his acceptance of the tough times he's going through. He then starts to talk about his old gal, who happens to be a good friend and who he perceives as resembling a water fowl. He goes on to say that when he has "deep river blues", there's no one to cry for him, and the fish all go out on a spree.
He then sings about his desire to retrieve his old boat and sail, as he knows the times are better in Muscle Shoals. However, he acknowledges the risk that comes with it and says that if his boat sinks with him, he'll go down with it. In the final verse, the singer says his goodbyes, stating that if he sinks, he wants to die with the deep river blues. The song is a slow and melancholic tune that speaks to those going through a difficult period in their lives, reassuring them that things will get better with time.
Line by Line Meaning
Let it rain, let it pour, let it rain a whole lot more
I welcome the rain because it matches the melancholy of my heart.
'Cause I got them deep river blues
I'm feeling down and low, and the sound of the river only amplifies it.
Let the rain drive right on, let the waves sweep along
I don't want the rain to stop or the river to dry up because it reflects my current emotional state.
My old gal's a good old pal, and she looks like a water fowl
My partner is loyal and kind, but seeing her in this blue state just reminds me of the helplessness of my situation.
When I get them deep river blues
My inner turmoil is heightened near the river.
Ain't no one to cry for me, and the fish all go out on a spree
I feel lonely and forgotten, and even the fish seem to be having more fun than me.
Give me back my old boat, I'm gonna sail if she'll float
I yearn to escape, and the only way out seems to be by boat.
'Cause I got them deep river blues
My sadness persists even when I try to run away from it.
I'm goin' back to Muscle Shoals, times are better there I'm told
I'm hoping for a change of scenery and a fresh start, and I've heard that Muscle Shoals is a good place for that.
If my boat sinks with me, I'll go down, don't you see
I'm willing to take risks and face the consequences of my actions.
Now I'm gonna say goodbye, and if I sink, just let me die
I've made up my mind to leave, and I'm ready to face whatever fate awaits me.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: ALTON DELMORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind