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.
Down South Blues
Dock Boggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Going to catch the fastest train that goes
I'm a-going back South
Where the weather suits my clothes
I'm going back South
If I wear out ninety-nine pair of shoes
'Cause I'm broken-hearted
I was reared in the country
Where the snow it never fell
I'm a-going back South
If I don't do so well
Oh, my mama told me
And my daddy told me too
Don't you go off, honey
Let those men make a fool out of you
In Dock Boggs's song Down South Blues, we hear the story of a character who decides to go back south, where they were originally from. The character seems to have had enough of life where they are and is broken-hearted, hence the need to go back south, where the weather suits their clothes. The character's determination to go back South is further emphasized when they say they will wear out ninety-nine pairs of shoe if they have to; the quest to return home is that strong.
The character reflects on their upbringing, stating that they were raised in an environment where snow never fell. They are willing to take the risk of going back south, even if things do not go well. This shows the importance of the area where they were brought up, and it is evident that the character still holds the place dear to their heart. The song ends with the character's parents warning them against being taken advantage of by men.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm going to the station
I'm heading to the train station
Going to catch the fastest train that goes
I am trying to catch the quickest train available
I'm a-going back South
I'm returning to my Southern roots
Where the weather suits my clothes
I prefer the warmer climate of the South
I'm going back South
Once again, I'm returning to my Southern roots
If I wear out ninety-nine pair of shoes
I'll do whatever it takes to get there
'Cause I'm broken-hearted
I'm feeling sad and heartbroken
I've got those down South blues
I'm feeling low and down
I was reared in the country
I grew up in a rural area
Where the snow it never fell
It never snowed where I lived
I'm a-going back South
Returning to my Southern roots is my plan
If I don't do so well
Regardless of my success, I still plan to go back South
Oh, my mama told me
My mother advised me
And my daddy told me too
My father also gave me guidance
Don't you go off, honey
You shouldn't wander off and get in trouble
Let those men make a fool out of you
Avoid being tricked or fooled by men
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Richard Boggs, Traditional
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
LittleManBigVoice
Great song. I've been trying to find his records as well as Roscoe Holcomb's, but to no avail. Lovely, lovely music
Jay Hammond
i got them on kickass torrents
Mornin Corp.
+TheRussianPhenom Try discogs.com, that's where I got my Dock Boggs record.
GriffonKeeper
Just incredible. The recording was done well too. Thank you.
VolvoWagon77
This is such a beautiful song and an expressive voice. Buying a banjo and discovering this music has been a revelation to me. The world is so lucky to have these Smithsonian recordings.
Christian Hudelot
Une des chansons de Dock Boggs découverte dans les années '60. J'adore ce disque c'est un des meilleurs
Michail Zacho
I've loved Dock Boggs for the last 50 years!!! This song is his hallmark for me. "Oh, Death" being my favorite, with "Drunkard's Lone Child", being my second favorite. All of them so good! Which song was the one where he said something like: "AlI I did was knock a man down in the alley and take his gold watch"?
Emil Becker
New prisoners song
Jaqui Murphy
I love him!
JamTracks by Randy Struble
Enjoyed listenin' thanks for postin'!!