The group, originally called "The Knowbody Else", was formed in 1965 in Black Oak, Arkansas, by Jim "Dandy" Mangrum (vocals), Rickie Reynolds (guitar), Stanley Knight (guitar), Harvey Jett (guitar), Pat Daugherty (bass), and Wayne Evans (drums). Their first PA system was stolen from a local high school. Members of the group were subsequently charged in absentia with grand larceny and sentenced to 26 years at the Tucker Prison Farm (this sentence was later suspended). This led to their retreat to the hills of rural northeast Arkansas where they lived off the land and refined their musical style. Some of their influences during this time were The Beatles and The Byrds.
The Knowbody Else moved to Memphis, Tennessee, in 1969 and signed a record deal with Stax Records. Their debut album (and only album with Stax), The Knowbody Else, was largely ignored by the populace. During this time the band became interested in psychedelia and Eastern spiritualism which, combined with their Southern Baptist upbringing, contributed to their sound.
After several trips to Los Angeles, California, in 1970, the band was signed by Atco Records and rechristened "Black Oak Arkansas". Their new debut album, Black Oak Arkansas, was released in 1971 while the band toured extensively, gaining a reputation as a live act. The twin album releases that followed in 1972, Keep The Faith and If An Angel Came To See You, Would You Make Her Feel At Home, expanded on the group’s eclectic musical style.
In 1973, Black Oak Arkansas released their fourth album, Raunch 'N' Roll Live and introduced a new drummer, Tommy Aldridge. It was their fifth album, High on the Hog, released later that year, that established solid commercial success by peaking at number 52 on the Billboard charts. Vocalist Ruby Starr also toured with the band during this period. Her raspy voice can be heard on the group's remake of LaVern Baker's 1957 hit "Jim Dandy," which reached number 25 on Billboard's Hot 100.
The 1974 release of Street Party may have failed to maintain the momentum. However, another 1974 release, entitled Early Times, an overlooked Stax recording, made up for lost time. In 1975, the original lineup of Black Oak Arkansas (minus Harvey Jett, who was replaced by Jimmy Henderson) released their last album, Ain't Life Grand. A new version of the band, called Black Oak, was formed in 1977 around Jim "Dandy" Mangrum and Jimmy Henderson. Greg Reding (guitar and keyboards), Jack Holder (guitar), Andy Tanas (bass), and Joel Williams (drums) participated on the two Capricorn albums which were recorded in 1977 (Race with the Devil) and 1978 (I'd Rather Be Sailing). In 1978, guitarist Shawn Lane joined the band at age 14 and toured with the band for four years.
Released in 1984, Ready as Hell debuted a heavier sound with pinch harmonics and keyboards featured throughout. The album also marked the return of Rickie Lee Reynolds on rhythm guitar. In 1986, The Black Attack Is Back continued the heavy style of the previous album and featured the particularly adventurous track "I Want A Woman With Big Titties". Despite that lack of subtlety, the album is widely regarded as the finest of the band's long career, with the greatest lineup to date. Still, it made no commercial headway.
James Mangrum has continued recording and touring with a series of different Black Oak lineups up to present day. Black Oak Arkansas currently enjoys a loyal fan following. However, the later lineups have yet to duplicate the level of album sales that the original lineup generated in the early-mid 1970s. Jim Dandy is credited with inspiring Van Halen front-man David Lee Roth's image and onstage persona as well.
In 2008, Boston newspaper 'The Phoenix' named them the All Time Best Band from Arkansas.
Band Members
* James L. "Jim Dandy" Mangrum - lead vocals, washboard (1965-present)
* Rickie Lee "Ricky" "Ricochet" Reynolds - twelve-string guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 1984-present)
* Hal McCormack - lead guitar (2003-present)
* Johnnie Bolin - drums ( -present)
* George Hughen - bass guitar ( -present)
* Stanley Knight - lead guitar, steel guitar, organ, vocals (1965-1976)
* Pat Daugherty - bass guitar, vocals (1965-1977, 2000-2002)
* Harvey Jett - lead guitar, banjo, piano, vocals (1965-1974)
* Wayne Evans - drums (1965-1973)
* Tommy Aldridge - drums (1973-1977)
* Paul Simmons - drums (1985-1986)
* James Henderson - guitar (1975-1979)
* Jack Holder - guitar (1977-1979)
* Greg Reding - guitar, keyboards (1977-1979)
* Andy Tanas - bass (1977-1980)
* Joel Williams - drums (1977-1978)
* Marius Penczner - keyboards (1975-1977)
* Shawn Lane - guitar (1977-1981)
* Chris Craig - drums (late 70's - early 80's)
* Jon "Thunder Paws" Wells - drums (Ready As Hell)
* Dave Wilson - Bass Guitar (1979-1981)
* William Lemuel - bass guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Steve "The Axe" Nuenmacher - lead guitar, rhythm guitar (Ready As Hell)
* Billy Batte - keyboards, violin (Ready As Hell)
* Michael "Narley Dude" Martin (R.I.P.) - Lead Guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* "Big" Mike Fowler - bass guitar (The Black Attack Is Back)
* Biff Bingham - 2nd lead guitarist (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back)
* Jerry A. Williams - drums (Ready as Hell, The Black Attack is Back) (1985-1986)
* Darrell Miller - drums (1970's)
* Les John - drums (1979-1980)
* Cozy Johnson - drums (early 80's)
* James "Little Jim" Mangrum Jr. - drum technician
* Danny Leath - lead guitar
* Rocky Athas - lead guitar (1996-2001)
* John Roth - guitar (mid 80's)
Lord Have Mercy On My Soul
Black Oak Arkansas Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I shook hands with both the Devil and God
They turned my eyes to the inside to see
Where my energies have gone
Yes I've run with both all through my life
I've respected and reflected them both
Yes the sympathy of God as he looked at my life
The excitement of the Devil as we talked.
So Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy on my soul.
The Devil said, "Scratch my back and I'll scratch your back for sure"
So you have done all these sins for him
My heart could not be pure
I found out what means more to me
Than anything on this earth
To be ready for the judgment day
Ready to face the truth.
So Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy n my soul.
I hope I've done th right things
For both your sake and mine
I preach in what I live for
My only fear is fear of time
I wanted to look logical
To both my "Maker" and his host
But this trip of life must be complete
Or my cards will be lost.
So Lord Have Mercy On My Soul
The lyrics to Black Oak Arkansas's "Lord Have Mercy On My Soul" speak about the internal struggle of the singer who has interacted with both God and the Devil. He has walked through the halls of karma and has been in the company of both of these powerful entities throughout his life. The Devil promises to scratch his back if he scratches his, and the singer has done all these sins for him. The song explores the possibility of redemption and the need to be ready for the judgment day. The singer hopes that he has done the right things in life and has preached what he lives for. He fears that time is running out, and the trip of life must be complete, or he will lose his cards.
Line by Line Meaning
I've walked through the Halls of Karma
I have experienced the consequences of my actions in life
I shook hands with both the Devil and God
I have been influenced by both good and evil in life
They turned my eyes to the inside to see
They made me introspect and contemplate about my inner self
Where my energies have gone
To understand where my life force has been directed
Yes I've run with both all through my life
I have experienced both good and evil throughout my life
I've respected and reflected them both
I have appreciated the qualities of both God and the Devil
Yes the sympathy of God as he looked at my life
I have felt the compassion of God while reflecting on my life
The excitement of the Devil as we talked.
I have felt the temptation and thrill of the Devil while interacting with him
So Lord have mercy
I ask for forgiveness and compassion from God
Lord have mercy on my soul.
I ask for salvation and redemption of my soul from God
The Devil said, "Scratch my back and I'll scratch your back for sure"
The Devil tried to lure me by promising mutual benefits
So you have done all these sins for him
I have committed sins in exchange for the Devil's promises
My heart could not be pure
My conscience was burdened with guilt and impurity
I found out what means more to me
I realized the value of something that mattered more than earthly things
Than anything on this earth
Something greater than material possessions and worldly desires
To be ready for the judgment day
To prepare for the day when I will be held accountable for my actions
Ready to face the truth.
Prepared to confront the reality of my deeds and the consequences thereof
I hope I've done th right things
I pray that I have made the right choices in life
For both your sake and mine
In the interest of both God's and my well-being
I preach in what I live for
I practice what I preach
My only fear is fear of time
My greatest concern is the passing of time and its effect on my life
I wanted to look logical
I aimed to be rational and sensible in my actions
To both my "Maker" and his host
To be perceived as reasonable in the eyes of God and his angels
But this trip of life must be complete
I have to live out my entire life journey to its natural end
Or my cards will be lost.
Otherwise, I risk losing everything I have gained in life
So Lord Have Mercy On My Soul
My final plea to God for mercy and salvation
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MANGRUM JETT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Greasy Cock
I've walked through the Halls of Karma
I shook hands with both the Devil and God
They turned my eyes to the inside to see
Where my energies have gone
Yes I've run with both all through my life
I've respected and reflected them both
Yes the sympathy of God as he looked at my life
The excitement of the Devil as we talked.
So Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy on my soul.
The Devil said, "Scratch my back and I'll scratch your back for sure"
So you have done all these sins for him
My heart could not be pure
I found out what means more to me
Than anything on this earth
To be ready for the judgment day
Ready to face the truth.
So Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy n my soul.
I hope I've done th right things
For both your sake and mine
I preach in what I live for
My only fear is fear of time
I wanted to look logical
To both my "Maker" and his host
But this trip of life must be complete
Or my cards will be lost.
So Lord Have Mercy On My Soul
roger dodger
Buried a friend of mine yesterday that turned me on to this album, we turned 14 in 1971, he'd play this song over and over again, great memories.
James J Matyska
Hey I was 14 in '71, class of '75
James J Matyska
Sorry about your friend. I lost my 7th grade friend 04.05.06
Riley McIntosh
Great reflections
Ronnie Wall
WE JUST LOST RICKY
Bob Dudy
I'm so sorry for your Loss, He was a Visionary.
lightlyone
These guys did some super music. Saw them in concert in '71... man, they were alive and loud!
Marvin Cultee
Old school just brings me back to the time. My God the memories it bring back
Roger Dodger
It’s probably been 45 years since I last heard this. It still sounds good to me. Authentic psychedelia!! Thanks 🙏
Thomas Johnson
I first heard this song in 71 at 2 a.m. on Pirate Radio