Boggs was born in Norton, Virginia and began working in the coal mines of Appalachia at the age of twelve. At around this time, Boggs became interested in the banjo. As was the case of many musicians and performers of his era, Boggs learned to play the banjo watching and listening to family members and other performers, drawing additional influence from local African American musicians.
Boggs, while playing a traditional-style of play, did not play in the knock-down, sometimes called clawhammer or frailing style, instead employing a three-finger method that involved picking upwards on the strings of the banjo and permitted him to execute crisp single-note runs in a manner similar to that of a fingerstyle guitarist. Nevertheless, Boggs' style should not be confused with the bluegrass style of playing otherwise known as Scruggs style, made famous by Earl Scruggs, which also involves up-picking the banjo strings.
In 1920 Dock Boggs became influenced by blues tunes. He heard music played and sung by African-Americans while working in the coal mines and around the railroads of Appalachia. In 1927 he attended an audition in Bristol, Tennessee with the Brunswick record company. He was offered a contract to record with Brunswick and as a result travelled to New York where he recorded eight sides: "Sugar Baby," "Down Home Blues," "Country Blues," "Sammie Where Have You Been So Long," "Danville Girl," "Pretty Polly," "New Prisoner's Song" and "Hard Luck Blues." After these sessions, Boggs never recorded for Brunswick again.
By 1933, Boggs had given up hope of making a living as a musician. He hocked his banjo and did not play again until the early 1960s when he was re-discovered by Mike Seeger of the New Lost City Ramblers. As a result of his relationship with Seeger, Boggs enjoyed a renaissance of sorts during the Folk Revival, and recorded again.
Bright Sunny South
Dock Boggs Lyrics
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From the deep flowing springs to the broad flowing stream
Ever dear to my memory, and sweet is my dream.
I leave my confinement and comfort of life, The dangers of bloodshed, provision, and strife.
I come to conclose and reply with my word
As I shoulder my musket and billet my sword.
My father looked sad as he begged me to part
And my mother embraced me with anguish of heart; And my beautiful sister looked pale in her woe
Dear father, dear father, for me do not weep, For on some high mountain, I mean for to sleep; And the danger of war, I intend for to share
And for sickness and death, I intend to prepare.
Dear mother, dear mother, for me do not weep, For a mother's kind voice I ever will keep, You have taught me to be brave from a boy to a man
And I'm going in defense of our own native land.
Dear sister, dear sister, I cannot tell the woe, Your tears and your sorrow, they trouble me so.
I must be a-going for here I cannot stand, I'm going in defense of our own native land.
Dock Boggs' song "Bright Sunny South" is a poignant reflection on leaving behind the safety and comfort of home to go to war. The song is set in the American South and takes the perspective of a young man who has joined the army to fight for his country. The opening two lines evoke a sense of nostalgia for the peaceful days of childhood that have been left behind. The memories of the "deep flowing springs" and "broad flowing stream" are ever-present in the singer's mind and they offer some solace in the midst of the conflict to come.
The second verse reveals the singer's purpose in leaving home. He is going to fight in a war and face the dangers that come with it. He is leaving behind the safety and comfort of his previous life and entering into a world of "bloodshed, provision, and strife." Despite this, the singer is resolute in his mission to defend his country. He is ready to shoulder his musket and billet his sword, and face whatever challenges come his way.
The final verse is particularly striking. The singer says his goodbyes to his family - his father, mother, and sister - each of whom is deeply affected by his departure. He reassures them that he is prepared for what may come and that he is following the values they have instilled in him. He acknowledges the difficult emotions his departure has caused and expresses his own sadness at having to leave. Nevertheless, he is resolved to go and fight for their "own native land."
Line by Line Meaning
In the bright sunny south in peace and content,
During my boyhood, I enjoyed peaceful and content days in the sunny south.
The days of my boyhood, I scarcely have spent.
I spent only a few days in my boyhood in the south, but they remain dear to my memory and dreams.
From the deep flowing springs to the broad flowing stream
The south's natural beauty--from springs to streams--is ever dear to me.
Ever dear to my memory, and sweet is my dream.
The memories of nature's beauty in the south remain sweet in my dreams.
I leave my confinement and comfort of life,
I leave the safety and comfort of my life behind.
The dangers of bloodshed, provision, and strife.
I face the dangers of war, provision, and conflict.
I come to conclose and reply with my word
I use my voice to argue and defend my position.
As I shoulder my musket and billet my sword.
I prepare for battle by taking up my musket and sword.
My father looked sad as he begged me to part
My father was sad as he begged me to leave.
And my mother embraced me with anguish of heart;
My mother hugged me with a heavy heart.
And my beautiful sister looked pale in her woe
My sister's sadness made her face pale.
As she grabbed me and blessed me and told me to go.
She hugged me, gave me a blessing, and urged me to leave.
Dear father, dear father, for me do not weep,
Father, please do not cry for me.
For on some high mountain, I mean for to sleep;
I may die on a mountain in battle.
And the danger of war, I intend for to share
I am willing to share the danger of war.
And for sickness and death, I intend to prepare.
I am prepared for sickness and death in battle.
Dear mother, dear mother, for me do not weep,
Mother, please don't cry for me.
For a mother's kind voice I ever will keep,
I will always remember my mother's kind voice.
You have taught me to be brave from a boy to a man
You raised me to be brave and strong.
And I'm going in defense of our own native land.
I fight to defend our homeland.
Dear sister, dear sister, I cannot tell the woe,
Sister, it's hard for me to see your sadness.
Your tears and your sorrow, they trouble me so.
Your tears and sorrow make me sad too.
I must be a-going for here I cannot stand,
I have to go because I can't stay here any longer.
I'm going in defense of our own native land.
I fight to protect our homeland.
Contributed by Hailey L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.