Following a successful career as a musician (which began in the late 1940s), Hayes began to focus on dramatic acting parts in the late 1960s, which led him, in 1970, to be cast as the character of Doug Williams on NBC's Days of Our Lives, which he continued to play until 2023.
The Ballad of Davy Crockett
Bill Hayes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
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
And kilt him a bar when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier
Till the Creeks was whipped and peace was in store
And while he was handling this risky chore
He made himself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier
Oh, when he lost his love 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, the choice of the whole frontier
He went off to Congress and served a spell
Fixing up the Government and laws as well
Took over Washington so we heered tell
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, serving his country well
When he come home his politicking done
While the big western march had just begun
He packed his gear and his trusty gun
And lit out grinning to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett, leading the pioneer
His land is biggest and his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all meeting the test
Following his legend right into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier
King of the wild frontier
The Ballad of Davy Crockett, sung by Bill Hayes, is a tribute to the life of the legendary American folk hero, Davy Crockett. The song begins by painting a picture of Crockett's birthplace, on top of a mountain in the state of Tennessee, noting that he was born in the greenest state in the land of the free. He was raised in the woods, where he familiarized himself with every tree and, as the song goes, "kilt him a bear when he was only three." The chorus proclaims him to be the king of the wild frontier.
The song then goes on to detail Crockett's heroic exploits through the Indian Wars, where he fought single-handedly until the Creeks were defeated and peace was reestablished. The ballad notes that Crockett made himself a legend forevermore while handling this risky task. When Crockett lost his love, he considered losing himself in the forests instead, but he answered his country's call instead to become the choice of the whole frontier. Crockett served in Congress where he helped fix up the government and laws before setting out west to follow the sun, leading the pioneers as he went along. The song ends on the triumphant note of Crockett being the king of the wild frontier, and a true legend of American history.
Line by Line Meaning
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Davy Crockett was born on the top of a mountain in Tennessee
The greenest state in the land of the free
Tennessee was considered the greenest state in America and synonymous with freedom
Raised in the woods so he knew every tree
From growing up in the woods, Davy knew every single tree in the area
And kilt him a bar when he was only three
At the young age of three, Davy had already killed a bear
He fought single-handed through the Injun War
Davy Crockett fought in the Indian War by himself
Till the Creeks was whipped and peace was in store
Davy fought the Creeks until they were defeated and peace was established
And while he was handling this risky chore
While fighting, Davy became a legend
He made himself a legend for evermore
Davy's achievements made him a legend for all time
Oh, when he lost his love his grief was gall
When Davy lost someone he loved, he was filled with unbearable pain and sadness
In his heart he wanted to leave it all
Davy contemplated leaving everything behind because of his heartache
And lose himself in the forests tall
Davy considered losing himself in the vast forests surrounding him
But he answered instead his country's call
Davy chose to serve his country instead of indulging in his pain
He went off to Congress and served a spell
Davy went to Congress and served for a period of time
Fixing up the Government and laws as well
Davy worked on improving the government and laws during his time in Congress
Took over Washington so we heered tell
Rumors said that Davy took over Washington during his time in Congress
And patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy supposedly repaired the crack in the Liberty Bell
When he come home his politicking done
When Davy returned home from Congress, he was done with his political work
While the big western march had just begun
The migration westward had only just started when Davy returned home
He packed his gear and his trusty gun
Davy packed his gear and trusted gun to head out west
And lit out grinning to follow the sun
Davy left happily and eager to follow the sun out west
His land is biggest and his land is best
Davy believed his land was the largest and the best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
Davy's land spanned from the grassy plains to the highest mountain peaks
He's ahead of us all meeting the test
Davy led the way and faced challenges head-on
Following his legend right into the West
People followed Davy's legendary path out west
Davy, Davy Crockett, the king of the wild frontier
Davy Crockett was known as the king of the wild frontier
King of the wild frontier
Davy Crockett had a reputation as the king of the wild frontier
Lyrics © Kanjian Music
Written by: Tom Blackburn, George Edward Bruns
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@patrickstocks3576
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
Greenest state in the land of the free
Raised in the woods, so he knew ev’ry tree 🌲
Kilt him a bar when he was only 3
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Fought single-handed through the Injun War
‘Til the Creeks was whipped and peace was in store 🏬
While he was handlin’ this risky chore
Made himself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier m
He give his word and he give his hand 🖐
That his Injun friends could keep their land
The rest of his life, he took the stand
That justice was due every redskin band
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
He went off to Congress an’ served a spell
Fixin’ up the Governments an’ laws as well
Took over Washington so we heered tell
An’ patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell 🛎
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
When he come home 🏠 his politickin’ done ✅
The western March had just begun
So he packed his gear an‘ his trusty gun
An’ lit out grinnin’ to follow the sun ☀️
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
His land is biggest an’ his land is best
From grassy plains to the mountain crest
He’s ahead of us all, meetin’ the test
Followin’ his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier
King of the wild frontier
@annabell5183
The Ballad Of Davy Crockett
Song by Bill Hayes
Lyrics
Born on a mountain top in Tennessee
greenest state in the land of the free
raised in the woods so he knew ev'ry tree
kilt him a be 'are when he was only three
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
In eighteen thirteen the Creeks uprose
addin' redskin arrows to the country's woes
Now, Injun fightin' is somethin' he knows,
so he shoulders his rifle an' off he goes
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
Off through the woods he's a marchin' along
makin' up yarns an' a singin' a song
itchin' fer fightin' an' rightin' a wrong
he's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the buckskin buccaneer!
Andy Jackson is our gen'ral's name
his reg'lar soldiers we'll put to shame
Them redskin varmints us Volunteers'll tame
'cause we got the guns with the sure-fire aim
Davy, Davy Crockett, the champion of us all!
Headed back to war from the ol' home place
but Red Stick was leadin' a merry chase
fightin' an' burnin' at a devil's pace
south to the swamps on the Florida Trace
Davy, Davy Crockett, trackin' the redskins down!
Fought single-handed through the Injun War
till the Creeks was whipped an' peace was in store
An' while he was handlin' this risky chore
made hisself a legend for evermore
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
He give his word an' he give his hand
that his Injun friends could keep their land
An' the rest of his life he took the stand
that justice was due every redskin band
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his promise dear!
Home fer the winter with his family
happy as squirrels in the ol' gum tree
bein' the father he wanted to be
close to his boys as the pod an' the pea
Davy, Davy Crockett, holdin' his young'uns dear!
But the ice went out an' the warm winds came
an' the meltin' snow showed tracks of game
An' the flowers of Spring filled the woods with flame
an' all of a sudden life got too tame
Davy, Davy Crockett, headin' on West again!
Off through the woods we're ridin' along
makin' up yarns an' singin' a song
He's ringy as a be 'are an' twict as strong
an' knows he's right 'cause he ain' often wrong
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
Lookin' fer a place where the air smells clean
where the trees is tall an' the grass is green
where the fish is fat in an untouched stream
an' the teemin' woods is a hunter's dream
Davy, Davy Crockett, lookin' fer Paradise!
Now he's lost his love an' his grief was gall
in his heart he wanted to leave it all
an' lose himself in the forests tall
but he answered instead his country's call
Davy, Davy Crockett, beginnin' his campaign!
Needin' 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 fightin' spirit an' a thinkin' mind
Davy, Davy Crockett, choice of the whole frontier!
The votes were counted an' he won hands down
so they sent him off to Washin'ton town
with his best dress suit still his buckskins brown
a livin' legend of growin' renown
Davy, Davy Crockett, the Canebrake Congressman!
He went off to Congress an' served a spell
fixin' up the Govern'ments an' laws as well
took over Washin'ton so we heered tell
an' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!
Him an' his jokes travelled all through the land
an' his speeches made him friends to beat the band
His politickin' was their favorite brand
an' everyone wanted to shake his hand
Davy, Davy Crockett, helpin' his legend grow!
He knew when he spoke he sounded the knell
of his hopes for White House an' fame as well
But he spoke out strong so hist'ry books tell
an' patched up the crack in the Liberty Bell
Davy, Davy Crockett, seein' his duty clear!
When he come home his politickin' done
the western march had just begun
So he packed his gear an' his trusty gun
an' lit out grinnin' to follow the sun
Davy, Davy Crockett, leadin' the pioneer!
He heard of Houston an' Austin so
to the Texas plains he jest had to go
Where freedom was fightin' another foe
an' they needed him at the Alamo
Davy, Davy Crockett, the man who don't know fear!
His land is biggest an' his land is best
from grassy plains to the mountain crest
He's ahead of us all meetin' the test
followin' his legend into the West
Davy, Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier!
Songwriters: Tom Blackburn / George Edward Bruns
@Obsessedjarlenafan
Rest in peace Bill Hayes!
@TheInkPitOx
98 years. He lived an amazingly long life.
@jackspry9736
RIP Bill Hayes (June 5, 1925 – January 12, 2024), aged 98
You will be remembered as a legend.
@briandelagrange8722
RIP 😢
@kristikristi1183
This was such a catchy tune. I liked it better than the show itself. Rest in Peace Mr. Hayes. He gave us years of entertainment with his singing and soap opera acting.
@aceeducationalservices1955
He was a great talent, even in his advanced years played a big part of a major plot line and doing a fantastic job. He left his mark on the show and in this world.
@user-fc8xh1wi6x
Bill will be missed. He was the best!
@independentvoter1018
Condolences to Bill's family, Susan and his children. He was a wonderful actor.
@DM-kd3yt
Love you Bill Hayes. Amazing actor, singer, dancer, and he felt like family. My heart goes out to Susan and his family. I can't imagine how she feels. They were truly destined. It's beautiful to know love like that existed and was shared with us all.
@judywinfree7041
Congratulations on 50 years of entertaining us musically as well as you're acting skills on Days of Our Lives. We love you Bill Hayes. 💗