In April 1958 Darling replaced Pete Seeger in The Weavers, although he continued working club dates with The Tarriers until November 1959. Darling also recorded three solo albums. His second solo effort, True Religion for Vanguard in 1961 was influential on younger folkies of the day. Darling left the Weavers in June 1962 to work as a soloist on the emerging coffeehouse circuit. That summer he formed a jazz-folk trio, The Rooftop Singers, with longtime friend Bill Svanoe and jazz singer Lynn Taylor. Intended as a studio-only project for Vanguard, the group landed an unexpected number one pop hit with the song "Walk Right In." Don McLean who became friends with Darling in 1961, looked back on Darling as “a genuine philosopher and perfectionist.” He said, “I appreciated the time he spent with me so long ago. Undivided mental attention to every aspect of music making and performing is a hallmark of Erik’s work, and I believe some of that rubbed off on me.”.
In 1967, Darling and Paul Bennett were co-credited for writing the song "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You," by Quicksilver Messenger Service, which appears to be a medley of Darling's 1958 song "St. John's River" and Joan Baez's "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You".
He died in Chapel Hill, North Carolina from lymphoma at the age of 74.
True Religion
Erik Darling Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed when I die,
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed,
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed,
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed when I die?
Who's gonna take my soul to heaven when I die,
Who's gonna take my soul to heaven when I die,
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed,
Who's gonna take my soul to heaven when I die?
O when I get that true religion, hallejoo!
O when I get that true religion, hallejoo!
O when I get that true religion,
True religion will carry me through,
When I get that true religion, hallejoo!
O when I get that true religion, hallejoo!
The lyrics of Erik Darling's song "True Religion" explore the questions of who will take care of the singer's needs and accompany them in the afterlife. The repetition of the phrase "Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed when I die?" emphasizes the singer's vulnerability and uncertainty about their future. The phrase "make up" implies that the singer is not just concerned about their physical well-being, but also about the way they will be remembered after they're gone.
The second verse raises the question of the singer's soul, who will guide it to heaven after their death. The repetition of the phrase "Who's gonna take my soul to heaven when I die?" underscores the explicit religious theme of the song. The singer is expressing a desire for true religion, which they believe will ultimately give them comfort and salvation.
The repetition of the phrase "O when I get that true religion, hallejoo!" in the chorus serves as a rallying cry for the singer's ultimate goal of achieving a sense of purpose and belonging through religion. The use of the word "hallelujah" indicates an optimistic tone with the promise of spiritual transcendence. The song speaks to a common human experience of seeking a sense of belonging and hope in the face of life's uncertainties.
Line by Line Meaning
O when I get that true religion, hallejoo!
When I finally find and embrace true religion, I will rejoice in it with all my heart and soul.
O when I get that true religion, True religion will carry me through,
True religion will uplift me and help me navigate the trials of life with greater ease and strength.
Who's gonna take my soul to heaven when I die?
Who will act as my spiritual guide and lead me towards salvation once I pass away?
Who's gonna make up my dyin' bed when I die?
Who will tend to me and care for me during my final moments of life on this earth?
When I get that true religion, hallejoo!
My journey towards discovering true religion will be a celebratory and joyous occasion.
Contributed by Jordan D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Steven Berson
Erik was one of the greats. He recorded this album when he left the Weavers.He had a relatively short sol career before he formed the Rooftop singers. I was privileged to have seen him perform solo at the Bitter end in New York. He was brilliant! By the way, the opener for that show was Woody Allen!
mike johnson
I too lost my old vanguard pressing of this album, but it was pretty much toast, I musta played it a thousand times. I hear his body of work is archived at some US university, wish they made digital copies available for old hippies like me, altho I do appreciate the uploads to you tube of some of the cuts, including this beauty. It'll be played at my funeral !
Mjollnir50
Thank you SO MUCH for posting this. I have all three of his solo albums, but they're all played out.
Villa Delirium
Darling's autobio is a great read if you're interested in the minutiae of the American folk music revival of the early '60s. He was bit of a sell-out, though, when he formed the Rooftop Singers. "Walk Right In" is a terrible tune! Also, who knew that the Calypso craze was launched by a Eric Darling and three other White guys.
Richard Citron
In 1961 I'd just arrived in New Orleans from Detroit to attend Tulane and heard this coming from a music store as I walked through French Quarter one steamy evening. It became my musical home for the next two years. Lost the album with some others during a move over the years. Would love to have it back.
foreverolf
"Played out". Kids say that when they are sleepy. No idea that it comes from love. From wearing out the grooves in an LP. No. child, you were not loved to death. You are merely drunk. I love the sincerity in this piece. Thanks for posting. That it reaches me emotionally even though I am the farthest thing form a Christian, is proof of its worth, in my ears..
multicaruana
Make no mistake about the fact that Eric was a forerunner of Hot Tuna and Jorma K. This record is so far ahead of its time it's a shame there isn't a universal appreciation of it. His autobiography is a great read(the second time)and, in a small piece I recently had in Long Island Newsday, tribute was paid to the Rooftop Singers. Another one I failed to appreciate when he was alive. But,at least, I did rediscover him-wish that other would!
Pat Street
This is brilliant. The more poignant because he passed away recently. See also Erik Darling: Child, Child. Erik completed a wonderful memoir just before he died -- It's called "I'd Give My Life." Comes with a CD of his own favorite pieces, including True Religion.
multicaruana
Sorry Jorma Kaukonen- Eric Darling was way ahead of you, had more soul, and could match you on guitar. Trouble is Eric was not flashy in any way, just a regular guy.. To have played this kind of music in the early 60's, well, it speaks for itself. To not having been given the credit he was
and isentitled to -is just another one of life's enduring injustices.