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.
Summertime
Doc Watson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Oh your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
So hush little babby, don't you cry
One of these mornings
You're going to rise up singing
Then you'll spread your wings
But till that morning
There's a nothin' can harm you
With daddy and mammy standin' by.
The lyrics to Doc Watson's song Summertime are a classic homage to the joys of summer life. The opening line, "Summertime and the livin' is easy," conjures up images of lazy, carefree days spent fishing and basking in the warmth of the sun. The reference to the "jumpin' fish" and the "high cotton" hearkens back to the rural Southern lifestyle that Watson knew so well, and that is evocative of a simpler time.
The second half of the song takes on a more universal tone, with the lyrics addressing the hopes and dreams of all people. The line "One of these mornings / You're going to rise up singing / Then you'll spread your wings / And you'll take to the sky" speaks to the human desire for freedom and a better future. But even as we strive for these things, the song reminds us that we are never truly alone, as long as we have the support of our loved ones. "With daddy and mammy standin' by" we can face any challenge or obstacle.
Overall, Doc Watson's Summertime is a timeless celebration of the simple pleasures of life, and a reminder that no matter where our dreams take us, we are stronger with the love and support of our families.
Line by Line Meaning
Summertime and the livin' is easy
Summertime is the period of relaxation and entertainment, everything is effortless and fun
Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high
Nature is abundant and beautiful in summertime, with fish jumping and cotton crops flourishing
Oh your daddy's rich and your ma is good lookin'
You are blessed to have attractive parents with wealth and status
So hush little babby, don't you cry
Do not worry or fret, instead, find peace and quietness in the embrace of your family
One of these mornings
In the foreseeable future, an opportunity will come your way
You're going to rise up singing
You will feel confident and joyful, and will be inspired to sing out loud
Then you'll spread your wings
You will open yourself up to new experiences
And you'll take to the sky
You will soar high and achieve success
But till that morning
Until that moment arrives
There's a nothin' can harm you
You are invincible and safe from harm
With daddy and mammy standin' by.
Your parents will always protect and support you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dorothy Heyward, Du Bose Heyward, George Gershwin, Ira Gershwin
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind