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.
Milk Cow Blues
Doc Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I thought I'd hear that milk cow, I can tell the way she lore
If you see my milk cow, please drive her on home
Ain't had no milk and butter, woo, since that cow got gone
Now you've gotta treat me right, day by day
Get out that little prayer book, get on your knees and pray
'Cause you're gonna need, yes, you're gonna need my help someday
Well, good evenin', don't that sun look good goin' down?
Yeah, good evenin', don't that sun look good goin' down?
And don't your bed look lonesome
When your sweet women, she hang around?
Now I've tried everythin' baby, to get along with you
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm gonna stop cryin', gonna leave you alone
If you don't believe I'm leavin', you can count the days I'm gone
You won't see, oh, you ain't gon' see my face no more
You just gonna be wonderin'
Oh, where in this world that I'm gone
The lyrics to "Milk Cow Blues" by Doc Watson describe the singer's yearning for his milk cow that has gone missing. He wakes up and listens for the sound of the cow, which he describes as a certain "lore" or calling. He pleads with anyone who might see his cow to drive her back to his house because he has not had milk or butter since she left. He then turns his attention to the person he is singing to, telling them that they need to treat him right and that they will someday need his help. The mood then shifts as Watson celebrates the beauty of the sunset while lamenting the emptiness of his bed without his partner around. The song ends with Watson resolving to stop crying and leave his partner alone, with her now wondering where he has gone.
The lyrics of "Milk Cow Blues" reflect a mixture of longing and bitterness. The singer is devastated by the loss of his cow but also angry with his partner for mistreating him. This emotional mix reflects a longstanding blues tradition of singing about everyday hardships and relationship struggles in a way that is both sad and cutting. Watson's vocals, with their twangy, plaintive quality, underscore this sense of vulnerability and hurt.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, I woke up this mornin' looked out my door
I woke up in the morning and walked to my front door.
I thought I'd hear that milk cow, I can tell the way she lore
I expected to hear my milk cow because I recognize the sound she makes.
If you see my milk cow, please drive her on home
If you happen to see my milk cow, please bring her back to me.
Ain't had no milk and butter, woo, since that cow got gone
I haven't had any milk or butter since my milk cow went missing.
Now you've gotta treat me right, day by day
You need to treat me well every day.
Get out that little prayer book, get on your knees and pray
Take out a prayer book and kneel down to pray.
'Cause you're gonna need, yes, you're gonna need my help someday
You'll need my help someday in the future.
Yeah, you're gonna be sorry you went and treated me this way
You will regret treating me poorly like you have been doing.
Well, good evenin', don't that sun look good goin' down?
Good evening, doesn't the sun look beautiful setting?
And don't your bed look lonesome
Your bed looks lonely when your significant other is not around.
When your sweet women, she hang around?
Do you miss your partner when she is away?
Now I've tried everythin' baby, to get along with you
I've tried everything to get along with you, dear.
Now I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do
I'm going to tell you what I'm planning to do.
I'm gonna stop cryin', gonna leave you alone
I'm going to stop crying and leave you alone.
If you don't believe I'm leavin', you can count the days I'm gone
If you don't believe that I'm leaving, you can keep track of the days I'm gone.
You won't see, oh, you ain't gon' see my face no more
You won't see my face anymore.
You just gonna be wonderin'
You'll be left wondering.
Oh, where in this world that I'm gone
Where in the world did I go?
Writer(s): Kokomo Arnold Copyright: State Street Music Publishing Co. Inc.
Contributed by Juliana T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Noni Scoggin-Frye
Heaven is hearing some beautiful music this morning. We love and miss you, Doc.
cjteacherinphilly
Thank you Doc for many a good tune and many a good time! I feel lucky and honored to have seen you and Merle play may your light go on forever as your music certainly shall
MrStonyRidge
RIP Doc and Merle. You've brought my family and friends to much joy! Longer than my 49 years on the planet.
LoveFlatfootin1
Doc Watson, a great musician and gentleman. Will be greatly missed. Sincere condolences to his family.
kinggimped
This guy is awesome. Loving it.
Robin Bradley
Thanks for all the great music Doc. You had a good run, and we'll miss you!
Bill Woolston
I have seen Doc several times. This is some of the best music on the planet. Let's see, listen on a porch watching the sunset with a cold beer and a good friend. Thanks.....
Cora Visser
This is brilliant music it will be for ever.(rip)
AJBluesman
Awesome Acoustic Blues !! Rock on Doc !
Daniel Dambrosio
Everybody who ever sat with Doc and played a few notes ended up a better musician. Influenced so many pickers back in the 60s, gave everybody something to try. Thank you Doc, you made it look easy, but you were a legend in your time and beyond.