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.
Wild Bill Jones
Dock Boggs Lyrics
Jump to: Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I met with old wild Bill Jones
He was walking, he was talking with a girl I loved
And I bid him for to leave her alone
He says "Young man, I am 22
Too old for to be controlled"
I drew a revolver from my side
He rambled and he scrambled all along the ground
And he gave one deathly mourn
He looked in the face of his darling true love
Says "Oh darling, you are left alone"
My money's in my pockets and my pistol in my hand
Lookin' for the man that made old wild Bill stand
I was out a-walking around one night
While wandering at night, I was looking for something or someone
And I met with old wild Bill Jones
I came across a person named old wild Bill Jones
He was walking, he was talking with a girl I loved
He was seen with the girl I deeply cared for, engaging in conversation
And I bid him for to leave her alone
I strongly requested him to stay away from her
He says 'Young man, I am 22
In response, he conveys that he is 22 years old
Too old for to be controlled'
Implying that he considers himself too mature to be influenced or directed by others
I drew a revolver from my side
I took out a handgun from my side
And I destroyed one poor boy's soul
Regrettably, I fatally ended the life of a young man
He rambled and he scrambled all along the ground
In his final moments, he struggled and writhed on the floor
And he gave one deathly mourn
Before passing away, he let out a sorrowful cry of agony
He looked in the face of his darling true love
With his dying gaze, he stared at his beloved and true partner
Says 'Oh darling, you are left alone'
Expressing sadness and concern, he utters that his beloved is now left all by herself
My money's in my pockets and my pistol in my hand
At this moment, I have cash in my pockets and I firmly hold my firearm
Lookin' for the man that made old wild Bill stand
With determination, I am actively seeking the person responsible for instigating wild Bill's actions
Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SirCoughsalot
Without the Folkways record company, the repertoire of the average folksinger would be severely limited. Love Dock Boggs.
@Paddyontheturnpike60
His music lives on as long as there are those who will play, and those who will listen. RIP.
@bigbuckslayer11
i get cold chills every time i hear him
@gorcaacrog2597
His sound is so elemental. It doesn't need anything else.
@sunzsu
its like he plays a sound im searching my whole life for.. its like that sometihng comes out which was there all the time... its so archaic, haunting and raw.. this guy is a pretty cool one ! rip
@SteveMORRIS-jz4oi
Never heard of him but he is really good even on the Banjo.
@jasonpasi7728
This fire
@ArkRed1
Stand and face his challanger whether it be in a fist fight or a duel.
@94757598494309438
Exactly, like the place sung of by Raymond Fairchild in the song "Back in yonders world" on the album titled: Blake and Rice 2 -Norman Blake and Tony Rice.
@gentleeyes
treasure