Doc played guitar in both flatpicking and fingerpicking style, but was best known for his flatpick work. His virtuosity combined with his authenticity as a mountain musician made him a highly influential figure during the folk music revival. He pioneered the fast and flashy bluegrass lead guitar style which has been adopted and extended by others such as Clarence White and Tony Rice. He was also an accomplished banjo player and in the past had accompanied himself on harmonica as well.
In 1986 he received the North Carolina Award and in 2000 he was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor. In 1997, Doc received the National Medal of the Arts from President Clinton.
He was generally joined on stage by his grandson and Merle's son Richard as well as his musical partner of twenty years, Jack Lawrence.
He was host to the annual MerleFest music festival held every April at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, North Carolina. The festival features a vast array of acoustic style music focusing on the folk, bluegrass, blues and old time music genres. It's named in honor of Merle Watson and is one of the most popular acoustic music festivals in the world, drawing over 85,000 music fans each year.
In late May 2012, Watson was listed in critical condition but was responsive at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, after undergoing colon surgery. Watson had fallen early in the week. Watson did not break any bones, but an underlying condition prompted the surgery. Watson died on May 29, 2012 at the medical center at the age of 89.
Dream Of The Miner's Child
Doc Watson Lyrics
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When he heard his little child scream.
He went to the side of the little girl's bed;
She said, "Daddy, I've had such a dream!"
"Please, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."
Then smiling and stroking the little girl's face,
He was turning away from her side.
But she threw her small arms around daddy's neck;
She gave him a kiss and then cried:
"Oh, I dreamed that the mines were all flaming with fire,
And the men all fought for their lives.
Just then the scene changed, and the mouth of the mines
Was covered with sweethearts and wives."
"Oh, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."
"Go down to the village and tell your dear friends
That as sure as the bright stars do shine,
There is something that's going to happen today;
Please, daddy, don't go to the mines."
"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today,
For dreams have so often come true.
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
For I never could live without you."
The song "Dream Of The Miner's Child" by Doc Watson tells the story of a miner who is leaving for work when he hears his daughter crying. When he goes to her, she tells him she had a dream that the mines were on fire and everyone was fighting for their lives. She begs her father not to go to work, but eventually he leaves with a heavy heart. The daughter's fear and love for her father is palpable in the lyrics as she desperately pleads with him not to go. This song is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by miners and their families, and shows the emotional toll it takes on them.
The imagery used in the song is powerful, as the daughter's dream evokes a sense of dread and fear. The contrast between the beginning and end of the dream, where the mines are on fire and then are covered with loved ones, adds to the emotional impact of the song. The daughter's plea to her father to stay with her is heartbreaking, as she knows that the danger of the mines is real.
Line by Line Meaning
A miner was leaving his home for his work
A father was leaving his house to go to work as a miner
When he heard his little child scream.
He heard his young daughter scream for him
He went to the side of the little girl's bed;
He went to his daughter's bedside
She said, "Daddy, I've had such a dream!"
She told him that she had a dream
"Please, daddy, don't go to the mines today,
She begged him not to go to work as a miner that day
For dreams have so often come true.
Because her dreams have come true before
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
She pleaded with him not to leave her
For I never could live without you."
Because she couldn't imagine living without him
Then smiling and stroking the little girl's face,
He smiled and caressed his daughter's face
He was turning away from her side.
He was getting ready to leave her side
But she threw her small arms around daddy's neck;
But she hugged him tightly
She gave him a kiss and then cried:
And she kissed him before crying
"Oh, I dreamed that the mines were all flaming with fire,
She told him about her dream of the mines being on fire
And the men all fought for their lives.
And the miners had to fight for their survival
Just then the scene changed, and the mouth of the mines
Then the dream changed, and the entrance of the mines
Was covered with sweethearts and wives."
Was filled with the loved ones of the miners
"Go down to the village and tell your dear friends
She asked him to go to the village and tell his friends
That as sure as the bright stars do shine,
That something bad is going to happen
There is something that's going to happen today;
That something significant will happen that day
Please, daddy, don't go to the mines."
So he shouldn't go to work as a miner
"Oh, daddy, don't work in the mines today,
She pleaded again for him not to work in the mines
For dreams have so often come true.
Because her dreams have come true before
My daddy, my daddy, please don't go away,
She begged him not to leave her
For I never could live without you."
Because she couldn't imagine living without him
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: REVEREND ANDREW JENKINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind