The band came together to play the rich tradition of fiddle and banjo music in Carolina's Piedmont. Rhiannon Giddens and Justin Robinson both hail from Durham, North Carolina while Dom Flemons is native to Arizona. Although they have diverse musical backgrounds, they draw their musical heritage from the foothills of North and South Carolina. They have been under the tutelage of Joe Thompson, said to be the last black traditional string band player, of Mebane, NC, and they strive to carry on the long standing traditional music of the black and white communities. Joe's musical heritage runs as deeply and fluidly as the many rivers and streams that traverse their landscape. They are proud to carry on the tradition of black musicians like Odell and Nate Thompson, Dink Roberts, John Snipes, Libba Cotten, Emp White, and countless others who have passed beyond memory and recognition.
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Another Man Done Gone
Carolina Chocolate Drops Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Another man done gone
Gone from the county farm
Another man done gone
I didn't know his name
I didn't know his name
I didn't know his name
I don't know where he's gone
I don't know where he's gone
I don't know where he's gone
I don't know where he's gone
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He had a long chain on
He killed another man
He killed another man
He killed another man
He killed another man
I'm gonna walk your log
I'm gonna walk your log
I'm by the waterfall
I'm gonna walk your log
Another man done gone
Another man done gone
Another man done gone
Another man done gone
Another man done gone
Another man done gone
The song "Another Man Done Gone" by the Carolina Chocolate Drops is a powerful commentary on the harsh realities of life for African Americans in the Southern United States during the time of slavery and beyond. The repeated phrase "Another man done gone" highlights the fact that this kind of tragedy was all too common and suggests that the life of a slave was often treated as expendable.
The song tells the story of a man who has been killed and his body disposed of on a "county farm," likely a place where slaves were sent to complete hard labor and isolation as a form of punishment. Without knowing his name or even where he came from, the singer mourns his loss and expresses a sense of helplessness in understanding why such tragedies occurred. The reference to the long chain on the murdered man suggests he was a slave himself and may have been killed for trying to escape or for committing some other perceived infraction.
The final lines of the song turn away from this introspective reflection and towards a note of defiance. The singer speaks of walking the log and standing strong in the face of adversity, suggesting a resilience and determination that characterized many African American communities throughout history.
Line by Line Meaning
Another man done gone
Someone else has passed away
Another man done gone
Someone else has passed away
Gone from the county farm
The deceased was likely a prisoner or a worker at a correctional facility
Another man done gone
Someone else has passed away
I didn't know his name
The artist did not personally know the person who passed away
I didn't know his name
The singer did not personally know the person who passed away
I didn't know his name
The singer did not personally know the person who passed away
I didn't know his name
The artist did not personally know the person who passed away
I don't know where he's gone
The artist is unsure of where the deceased has gone after passing
I don't know where he's gone
The artist is unsure of where the deceased has gone after passing
I don't know where he's gone
The singer is unsure of where the deceased has gone after passing
I don't know where he's gone
The artist is unsure of where the deceased has gone after passing
He had a long chain on
The deceased may have been a prisoner or a slave, forced to wear a long chain
He had a long chain on
The deceased may have been a prisoner or a slave, forced to wear a long chain
He had a long chain on
The deceased may have been a prisoner or a slave, forced to wear a long chain
He had a long chain on
The deceased may have been a prisoner or a slave, forced to wear a long chain
He killed another man
The deceased was possibly executed for killing another person
He killed another man
The deceased was possibly executed for killing another person
He killed another man
The deceased was possibly executed for killing another person
He killed another man
The deceased was possibly executed for killing another person
I'm gonna walk your log
The artist may be referencing a job or task that is difficult or challenging
I'm gonna walk your log
The artist may be referencing a job or task that is difficult or challenging
I'm by the waterfall
The singer is in a specific location that is near a waterfall
I'm gonna walk your log
The artist may be referencing a job or task that is difficult or challenging
Another man done gone
Someone else has passed away
Another man done gone
Someone else has passed away
Contributed by Jordyn V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.