They have performed throughout the United States as both headliner and as the supporting act for artists such as Zac Brown Band, Eric Church, ZZ Top & Lynyrd Skynyrd. On August 26, 2012, they performed at a charity benefit called the Boot Ride with the cast of Sons of Anarchy, partnered with The Boot Campaign at the Happy Ending Bar and Grill in Hollywood, California. They performed 20+ dates with Zac Brown Band nationwide in the summer of 2011. Their album Little Piece of Dixie has been featured by Paste magazine and other publications.
The band was formerly signed to Zac Brown's record label Southern Ground. On November 5, 2014, the band announced that it had left Southern Ground and signed with Rounder Records.
The Whippoorwill
Blackberry Smoke Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The only way so the preacher would say
You put me on the Jericho road
Barefoot and smiling ,standing there by the theon road
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame,Oh yeah
You sold my years together like a patchwork quilt
You broken veils blooms, and I'll never will
The lessons I remember and some that I forgot
Are precious and pure now, like a 100 circle drive
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame,Oh yeah
I'm gonna sing my song with the Whippoorwill at
In a sweetheart harmony
Though I know just what went with her
She's always here with me
Always here with me
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Starting all over again
Yes I'm starting all over again
The lyrics to "The Whippoorwill" by Blackberry Smoke touch on themes of personal growth, salvation, and redemption. It seems to be a song about a man who has made mistakes in his life and is seeking to make things right again. The first stanza references a preacher who emphasized living life in a righteous way as the only way to go. The second stanza seems to explore the idea of redemption through the metaphor of a whippoorwill singing the singer's song and calling him by name, causing him to feel shame for his past behavior.
The next stanza touches on the idea of brokenness and loss, as the singer feels that his years have been sold and his blooms have been broken. However, the lessons he has learned along the way are still precious to him. The final stanza seems to bring together the idea of redemption through singing his song with the whippoorwill, even though he knows the mistakes he has made. The repeated lyric "Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing, yeah she sang my song and called me by name" reinforces the idea of the singer finding peace and salvation through this encounter with the whippoorwill.
Overall, the song is a beautiful exploration of themes of growth, redemption, and seeking forgiveness. The use of the metaphor of the whippoorwill is particularly powerful, as the bird's song is often associated with renewal and healing, while also serving as a reminder of the mistakes of the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Going through life, the righteous way
Living life with a strong sense of morality and integrity
The only way so the preacher would say
Believing that the only way to live is by following religious teachings
You put me on the Jericho road
Feeling lost and abandoned like the character in the biblical story of the Good Samaritan
Barefoot and smiling, standing there by the theon road
Having a positive attitude despite difficult circumstances
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Experiencing a moment of clarity or inspiration
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Feeling a deep connection to nature or a higher power
Well I hung my head in shame,Oh yeah
Acknowledging past mistakes and feeling remorseful
You sold my years together like a patchwork quilt
Feeling like time has been fragmented or pieced together in a haphazard way
You broken veils blooms, and I'll never will
Feeling unable to fully move on from past traumas or emotional wounds
The lessons I remember and some that I forgot
Reflecting on past experiences and what has been learned from them
Are precious and pure now, like a 100 circle drive
Seeing the value in the present moment and finding peace
I'm gonna sing my song with the Whippoorwill at
Finding joy and purpose through music and nature
In a sweetheart harmony
Feeling in tune with oneself and others
Though I know just what went with her
Acknowledging that the path to enlightenment is not always easy or clear
She's always here with me
Finding solace and guidance in nature or a higher power
Starting all over again
Finding the courage to start fresh and move forward
Yes I'm starting all over again
Embracing change and new beginnings
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Charles Gray
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Palm Deathcore
Going through life, the righteous way
The only way so the preacher would say
You put me on the Jericho road
Barefoot and smiling ,standing there by the theon road
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame, Oh yeah
You sold my years together like a patchwork quilt
You broken veils blooms, and I'll never will
The lessons I remember and some that I forgot
Are precious and pure now, like a 100 circle drive
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame, Oh yeah
I'm gonna sing my song with the Whippoorwill at
In a sweetheart harmony
Though I know just what went with her
She's always here with me
Always here with me
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Starting all over again
Yes I'm starting all over again
Whiplash McLash
True example of perfect southern rock!
Tommy Lance
Indeed
Dark Logic
I am a Skynyrd freak,but these guys are so so good, elements of many southern rock bands,let unique,see you in Southampton UK 13th November, My 40th birthday, what a present, cannot bloody wait.
vinnie McClung
Very psychedelic yet rooted in a feeling of hickory such a beautiful song it fills my soul with love
Amelia Walczak
This is so beautiful. Could listen to this song all the time...
The Dude
One of the best songs and bands I’ve ever seen.....trust me....
Christina Sheppard
Definitely great live!!! 😍😍
Palm Deathcore
Going through life, the righteous way
The only way so the preacher would say
You put me on the Jericho road
Barefoot and smiling ,standing there by the theon road
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame, Oh yeah
You sold my years together like a patchwork quilt
You broken veils blooms, and I'll never will
The lessons I remember and some that I forgot
Are precious and pure now, like a 100 circle drive
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I hung my head in shame, Oh yeah
I'm gonna sing my song with the Whippoorwill at
In a sweetheart harmony
Though I know just what went with her
She's always here with me
Always here with me
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Well I dream that I heard that whippoorwill sing
Yeah she sang my song and called me by name
Starting all over again
Yes I'm starting all over again
Cheryl Ireland
Total earworm. Beautiful song guys. Been playing it all week. So talented. Xo
joppelainen
Lovely song! Seen 'em live twice, nuthin' but fantastic.