David Grisman started his musical career in 1963 as a member of The Even Dozen Jug Band. His nickname, "Dawg" was affectionately assigned by his close friend Jerry Garcia (the two met at a Van Hoy Campground (NC) back when they used to host the old time fiddlers convention). "Dawg Music" is what he calls his mixture of bluegrass and Django Reinhardt-Stéphane Grappelli-influenced jazz, as highlighted on his 1977 album "Hot Dawg". Stephane Grappelli played on a couple of tracks on the Hot Dawg album and then the 1981 recording "Stephane Grappelli and David Grisman Live". It was his early fusions with Reinhardt-era Jazz that led to the formation of the genre known as newgrass. Grisman, along with New Grass Revival are generally considered the modern day Bill Monroes to this new bluegrass-influenced sound.
Denny Zeitlin, Tony Rice, Mark O'Connor, Béla Fleck, Bob Brozman, Mike Auldridge, Mike Seeger, David Bromberg, Martin Taylor, Del McCoury, Ralph Stanley, Earl Scruggs, John Hartford, Darol Anger (Turtle Island String Quartet), Sam Bush, and the Kronos Quartet are just some of the musicians that have played with David Grisman or been part of the DGQ (David Grisman Quintet).
The documentary "Grateful Dawg" chronicles the deep friendship between Jerry Garcia and David Grisman. David Grisman appeared on the Grateful Dead's American Beauty album. To this day, Grisman complains of how Jerry Garcia vetoed the length of the mandolin solo featured on the studio version of Ripple. The two recorded a number of duet albums, including the children's album "Not for Kids Only". They also played together as the band "Old and in the Way" with Vassar Clements, Peter Rowan, and John Kahn, which recorded three different albums.
Maggie
David Grisman Lyrics
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With a dram glass in her hand
She's drinkin' away her troubles
She's a-courtin' another man
Last time I saw little Maggie
She was sittin' on the banks of the sea
With a forty-four all around her
Pretty flowers were made for bloomin'
Pretty stars were made to shine
Pretty women were made for lovin'
Little Maggie was made for mine
Lay down your last gold dollar
Lay down your gold watch and chain
Little Maggie's gonna dance for daddy
Listen to that ol' banjo ring
Go away, go away, little Maggie
Go and do the best you can
I'll get me another woman
You can get you another man
The song "Little Maggie" by David Grisman follows the story of a woman named Maggie who has turned to drinking and courting another man to cope with her troubles. The lyrics paint a picture of her sitting on the banks of the sea with a weapon and her banjo, showcasing the struggle and despair that she is facing. Despite these hardships, the singer believes that Maggie was made for him, stating that pretty women are made for loving and that she is his to take.
The song also features a plea to lay down one's material possessions, such as a gold dollar and watch, to watch Maggie dance and listen to the banjo ring. The final verse sees the singer telling Maggie to go and do the best she can, as he plans to find another woman. Overall, the lyrics of "Little Maggie" showcase the desperation and hardships of a woman named Maggie as she struggles to cope with her life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, yonder stands little Maggie
Over there stands Little Maggie
With a dram glass in her hand
Holding a whiskey glass
She's drinkin' away her troubles
Using alcohol to cope with her problems
She's a-courtin' another man
She is pursuing a relationship with another man
Last time I saw little Maggie
The previous time I encountered Little Maggie
She was sittin' on the banks of the sea
She was sitting by the seashore
With a forty-four all around her
With guns all around her
And a banjo on her knee
Playing the banjo
Pretty flowers were made for bloomin'
Flowers are meant for blooming and growing
Pretty stars were made to shine
Stars are meant to shine in the sky
Pretty women were made for lovin'
Beautiful women are made to be loved
Little Maggie was made for mine
Little Maggie belongs to me
Lay down your last gold dollar
Give me all your remaining gold coins
Lay down your gold watch and chain
Give me your gold watch and chain
Little Maggie's gonna dance for daddy
Little Maggie will dance for me
Listen to that ol' banjo ring
Hear the sound of the old banjo
Go away, go away, little Maggie
Leave, leave me alone Little Maggie
Go and do the best you can
Do the best you can on your own
I'll get me another woman
I will find another woman to be with
You can get you another man
You can find another man to be with
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, CARLIN AMERICA INC, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Carter Stanley, William York
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind