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.
Little Sadie
Doc Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I met little Sadie and I shot her down
Went back home and I got in my bed
Forty four pistol under my head
Wake up next morning 'bout a half past nine
The hacks and the buggies all standing in line
Gents and the gamblers standing all round
Then I begin to think what a deed I'd done
I grabbed my hat and away I run
Made a good run but a little too slow
They overtook me in Jericho
I was standing on the corner, reading the bill
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville
He said, young man, ain't your name Brown?
Remember the night you shot Sadie down?
I said, yes, sir, my name is Lee
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
And first degree and the second degree
If you got any papers, won't you read 'em to me?
They took me downtown and dressed me in black
Put me on the train and started me back
They crammed me back in that Thomasville jail
And I had no money for to go my bail
That judge and the jury, they took their stand
The judge had the papers in his right hand
Forty one days and forty one nights
Forty one years to wear the ball and the stripes
The song "Little Sadie" is a traditional American folk song that has been covered by countless artists, including Doc Watson. The song tells the story of a man who murders a woman named Sadie and is ultimately brought to justice. The lyrics are quite graphic, with the singer admitting to shooting Sadie and being sentenced to 41 years in prison.
The song opens with the singer recounting his encounter with Sadie, whom he shoots and kills. He then goes to bed with his gun under his head, but wakes up to find that he has been caught and Sadie is being taken to her burial ground. While on the run, he is eventually arrested and brought to trial. He admits to the murder and is sentenced to 41 years in prison.
The song is a cautionary tale about the consequences of one's actions. The singer's impulsive decision to shoot Sadie leads to his eventual downfall, and the lyrics serve as a reminder that every action has a consequence.
Line by Line Meaning
Went out one night for to make a little round
One night, I went out to take a quick walk around.
I met little Sadie and I shot her down
I met a woman named Sadie and shot her dead.
Went back home and I got in my bed
I went back home and laid down in my bed.
Forty four pistol under my head
I kept a loaded .44 pistol next to my head.
Wake up next morning 'bout a half past nine
I woke up next morning around half past nine.
The hacks and the buggies all standing in line
People in horse-drawn carriages and wagons lined up outside.
Gents and the gamblers standing all round
Gentlemen and gamblers were standing around as well.
Taking little Sadie to her burying ground
Taking Sadie's body to the graveyard for burial.
Then I begin to think what a deed I'd done
I started to realize the gravity of my actions.
I grabbed my hat and away I run
I grabbed my hat and ran away.
Made a good run but a little too slow
Although I ran well, I was ultimately caught.
They overtook me in Jericho
They caught up to me in Jericho.
I was standing on the corner, reading the bill
I was reading a poster on a street corner.
When up stepped the sheriff from Thomasville
Then the sheriff from Thomasville approached me.
He said, young man, ain't your name Brown?
The sheriff asked if my name was Brown.
Remember the night you shot Sadie down?
He reminded me of the night I killed Sadie.
I said, yes, sir, my name is Lee
I admitted my real name was Lee.
I murdered little Sadie in the first degree
I confessed to killing Sadie in the premeditated first degree.
And first degree and the second degree
I admitted to the first and second degree of the crime.
If you got any papers, won't you read 'em to me?
I asked to see any relevant documents or evidence against me.
They took me downtown and dressed me in black
They took me to the city's downtown and dressed me in black clothing.
Put me on the train and started me back
They put me on a train and sent me back home.
They crammed me back in that Thomasville jail
The authorities placed me back in jail in Thomasville.
And I had no money for to go my bail
I couldn't afford to pay for bail and get out of jail.
That judge and the jury, they took their stand
The judge and jury made their decision.
The judge had the papers in his right hand
The judge held relevant documents in his right hand.
Forty one days and forty one nights
I was sentenced to forty-one days and nights for the crime.
Forty one years to wear the ball and the stripes
I was given a sentence of forty-one years, to be served while wearing prison chains and uniform.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Downtown Music Publishing
Written by: DOC WATSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jim Yates
I recall playing a show a couple of decades back and having a lady chew out our guitar player for a murder ballad, saying that it condones spousal abuse.
Studying murder ballads, I've found that:
-If it is a man killing a woman, the song is usually first person and the guy is a scumbag, often named Willie, who has little or no reason for his act and ends spending his life in prison or hanging from a white oak tree. (Little Sadie, Banks Of The Ohio, Tom Dooley)
-If it's a woman killing a man, it's usually third person and, though she's sometimes hanged or put in prison, she's usually a sympathetic person, since he "done her wrong". (Frankie And Albert/Johnnie, Miss Otis Regrets, Monongahela Sal)
-If it's a guy killing another guy, it's third person and he's unsympathetic. "At twelve o'clock they killed him; we were glad to see him die." (Jesse James, Stack O'Lee)
-There are fewer songs about women killing women, but some, like The Cruel Mother are about women murdering their children.
A singer is playing a part. If I sing Little Sadie, it doesn't mean that I condone murder or spousal abuse any more than an actor who plays a bad guy in a movie or TV show does.
SkeligMichael
Doc Watsons baritone voice. I´ll never forget it. Reast in Peace, Doc. You were blind, but now you see the eternal light.
Forcd2CreateChannel
Doc Watson was America's Greatest practitioner of American Folk Music. His voice was deep and calm, always giving one a sense that he is on your side, and understands life the way only a man who has experienced great tragedy can know it and express it. Yet it didn't defeat him, it strengthened him and gave him another level of the incredible depth he possessed in reaching our hearts. His music has an ethereal quality that few if any can match, and we mourn our loss. Rest in Peace, Doc
Dan S.
He has such a feel for the banjo and guitar. I have rarely heard such feeling in such fast picking. A national treasure.
Nate Herman
Not just his voice, but his wonderful banjo playing!
Maddie
This song is really special to me because my dad used to sing it to me when I was little. I love it so much, and I think you did a great job!
Maddie
@charlieboy1201 Thanks!
Kimber Irby
Doc is one of my all-time favorite guitar pickers! Thanks
Elijah Aluminio
Beautiful music. There's a certain joyous yet somber feel to this. Doc Watson and Merle's music will be remembered.
Lefty Pick
Just imagine having a dad playing like that. Bless you both!
Adam Jacob Rogers
so fortunate to have seen him live circa 2008. A true national treasure