In 1969, Ray Benson and Lucky Oceans (Reuben Gosfield) co-founded Asleep at the Wheel in Paw Paw, West Virginia, and soon after they found themselves opening for Alice Cooper and Hot Tuna in Washington, DC.[1] A year later, they moved to East Oakland, California at the invitation of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen. After being mentioned in Rolling Stone magazine by Van Morrison, they landed a record deal with United Artists. In 1973, their debut album, Comin' Right At Ya was released by United Artists. At the request of Willie Nelson, they left Oakland for Austin in 1974.
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been presented numerous awards throughout their career. Most recently, the 16th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Award for the making of "A Ride With Bob", recognition by Mayor Kirk Watson of Austin, Texas, and the Darrel K. Royal Music Patron Award by The Texas Heritage Songwriters' Association. In 2007, The Austin Chronicle recognized Asleep at the Wheel for Band of the Year, Best Country Band, and into their Hall of Fame. Benson was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of Fame in 2002, was given The Texas Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996, and recognized as an Outstanding Producer by the National Academy of Recording Arts in 1988. He has also been given numerous Citations of Achievement by Broadcast Music, Inc. for his work in the country music field. Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel have been one of the strongest names in Country Music for the last forty years.
Ballad Of Davy Crockett
Asleep at the Wheel Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
King of the wild frontier
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
The greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods so he knew every tree
Killed him a bear when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett
Off through the woods he′s a marching along
Making up yarns and a singing a song
Itching for a fighting and righting a wrong
He's ringy as a bear and twice as strong
Davy, Davy Crockett
The buckskin buccaneer
He give his word and he give his hand
That his Indian friends could keep their land
And the rest of his life he took the stand
That justice was due every Indian band
Davy, Davy Crockett
Holding his promise dear
Now he′s lost his love and his grief was gall
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
And lose himself in the forests tall
But he answered instead his country's call
Davy, Davy Crockett
Beginning his campaign
Needing his help they didn't vote blind
They put in Davy cause he was their kind
Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
A fighting spirit and a thinking mind
Davy, Davy Crockett
Choice of the whole frontier
The votes were counted and he won hands down
So they sent him off to Washington town
With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
A living legend of growing renown
Davy, Davy Crockett
The Canebrake Congressman
He went off to Congress and served a spell
Fixing up the Government and laws as well
Took over Washington so we heared tell
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett
Seeing his duty clear
When he come home his politicking done
The western march had just begun
So he packed his gear and his trusty old gun
And lit out grinning to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett
Leading the pioneers
He heard of Houston and Austin so
To the Texas plains he just had to go
Where freedom was fighting another foe
And they needed him there at the Alamo
Davy, Davy Crockett
The man who don′t know fear
His land is biggest and his land is best
From the grassy plains to the mountain crest
He′s ahead of us all meeting the test
Following his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett
King of the wild frontier
Davy, Davy Crockett
King of the wild frontier
Asleep at the Wheel's song "Ballad Of Davy Crockett" is a tribute to the legendary figure of Davy Crockett, who was a frontiersman, soldier, and politician. The song opens with the lines "Davy, Davy Crockett, King of the wild frontier," which became a phrase synonymous with the iconic figure. The first verse of the song traces Crockett's origins, who was born on a mountain top in Tennessee and raised in the woods, where he became familiar with every tree. The second line of the verse, "The greenest state in the land of the free," is an allusion to Tennessee's verdant environment.
The second verse takes the listener on a journey through Crockett's adventurous spirit as he marched through the woods spinning yarns, singing, and fighting for what was right. Crockett had given his word and his hand that his Indian friends could keep their land, and he stood by that promise all his life. With each line of the song, the followers of Crockett are portrayed as even more fervent in their admiration for him, ultimately leading him to win the election hands down and serve as a congressman.
The song closes with a description of Davy Crockett's legacy, his land, his people, his unflinching courage, and his spirit. The song's lyrics depict Crockett as a man of principle and a hero who risked everything he had for what he believed was right.
Line by Line Meaning
Davy, Davy Crockett
Introducing the legend of Davy Crockett
King of the wild frontier
Celebrating the heroism and bravery of Davy Crockett
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Davy Crockett was born in the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee
The greenest state in the land of the free
Tennessee is known for its verdant forests and natural beauty
Raised in the woods so he knew every tree
Growing up in the wilderness, Davy Crockett was intimately familiar with the forest
Killed him a bear when he was only three
Davy Crockett's legendary hunting skills were said to have started at an early age
Off through the woods he′s a marching along
Davy Crockett was always exploring the woods and wilderness
Making up yarns and a singing a song
Davy Crockett loved to tell tall tales and entertain with his singing
Itching for a fighting and righting a wrong
Davy Crockett had a strong sense of justice and was willing to fight for what was right
He's ringy as a bear and twice as strong
Davy Crockett was known for his physical strength and endurance, as well as his bravery in battle
He give his word and he give his hand
Davy Crockett was known for his honesty and integrity, and would keep his promises
That his Indian friends could keep their land
Davy Crockett was a champion of Native American rights and believed they should be allowed to keep their ancestral lands
And the rest of his life he took the stand
Throughout his life, Davy Crockett remained committed to his principles and values
That justice was due every Indian band
Davy Crockett believed that Native Americans deserved equal treatment and respect under the law
Holding his promise dear
Davy Crockett took his commitments seriously and valued his word above all else
Now he′s lost his love and his grief was gall
Davy Crockett suffered great personal loss and heartbreak during his life
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
At times, Davy Crockett considered leaving his past behind and starting anew
And lose himself in the forests tall
Davy Crockett found solace and peace in nature and the great outdoors
But he answered instead his country's call
Ultimately, Davy Crockett was committed to serving his country and fighting for its freedom
Beginning his campaign
Davy Crockett entered politics and began campaigning for office
Needing his help they didn't vote blind
Davy Crockett's constituents recognized his leadership qualities and voted for him based on his merits
They put in Davy cause he was their kind
Davy Crockett was popular with his fellow frontiersmen because he shared their values and beliefs
Sent up to Nashville the best they could find
Davy Crockett was elected to political office and sent to Nashville to serve
A fighting spirit and a thinking mind
Davy Crockett was both a brave warrior and a thoughtful, intelligent individual
Choice of the whole frontier
Davy Crockett was widely respected and admired throughout the western frontier
The votes were counted and he won hands down
Davy Crockett won his election by a wide margin
So they sent him off to Washington town
Davy Crockett was sent to Washington, D.C. to serve in the U.S. Congress
With his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
Davy Crockett remained true to his roots and identity, even in the halls of power
A living legend of growing renown
Davy Crockett's reputation and fame continued to spread throughout the country
The Canebrake Congressman
Davy Crockett was a formidable lawmaker and representative in Congress
He went off to Congress and served a spell
Davy Crockett served in Congress for a time before moving on to other pursuits
Fixing up the Government and laws as well
As a lawmaker, Davy Crockett worked to improve the government and legal system of the United States
Took over Washington so we heared tell
Davy Crockett was known for his strong leadership and influence in the halls of power in Washington, D.C.
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy Crockett was rumored to have played a role in repairing the famous Liberty Bell in Philadelphia
Seeing his duty clear
Davy Crockett had a strong sense of duty and commitment to his country and its people
When he come home his politicking done
After his time in politics was over, Davy Crockett returned to his home and family
The western march had just begun
Davy Crockett was excited to return to the western frontier, where he felt most at home
So he packed his gear and his trusty old gun
Davy Crockett prepared for his journey westward, as he often did in his life
And lit out grinning to follow the sun
With a smile on his face, Davy Crockett set out once again to explore and conquer the western frontier
Leading the pioneers
Davy Crockett was a true pioneer and leader among his fellow frontiersmen
He heard of Houston and Austin so
Davy Crockett was intrigued by the reports of new settlements in Texas, led by Sam Houston and Stephen F. Austin
To the Texas plains he just had to go
Davy Crockett was eager to explore and settle in the vast plains of Texas
Where freedom was fighting another foe
In Texas, Davy Crockett saw an opportunity to fight for freedom and independence from foreign powers
And they needed him there at the Alamo
Davy Crockett was called to serve as a defender of the Alamo, a key outpost in the fight for Texas independence
The man who don′t know fear
Davy Crockett was known for his courage and bravery in the face of danger
His land is biggest and his land is best
Davy Crockett believed that the United States was the greatest nation in the world, with the most abundant and beautiful land
From the grassy plains to the mountain crest
Davy Crockett celebrated the diverse and stunning natural landscapes of America
He′s ahead of us all meeting the test
Davy Crockett was seen as a leader and role model by many Americans, who looked up to him as a symbol of strength and courage
Following his legend into the West
Davy Crockett's legacy and legend continued to inspire generations of Americans as they explored and settled the western frontier
King of the wild frontier
Re-emphasizing the status of Davy Crockett as a legendary hero and figure in American history
Writer(s): T. Blackburn, G. Bruns
Contributed by Gabriella L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ben - Moderator
The issue with search on Firefox is now resolved.
Ben - Moderator
Sorry about that Eddie - we will resolve this very soon. In the meantime you should still be able to paste a search into the search box. I'll update you here.
Eddie
With the new setup my firefox browser will not allow typing in the search area.
Noel Conroy
Fabulous vocals great song and vocals thanks.Marcos for sharing enjoyed :-))
Frank Howell
Brings back memories of watching Disneyland when I was a kid. Thanks Marcus.