The group was formed in Essex by previous members of Tony Rivers & the Castaways, including Rivers himself. They signed to RCA Records about a year after they formed, and their single "Move in a Little Closer" hit No. 24 on the UK Singles Chart in January 1969.[2] They released one album, This Is Us, in 1969, on the RCA label, and performed in the UK, including at London's Marquee Club, but had broken up by 1970.[3]
Band members Tony Ferguson (guitar) and Kenny Rowe (bass) both joined Capability Brown in 1973. Rivers (lead vocals) later appeared on albums by Brian Bennett (of The Shadows), Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, and Roger Daltrey[3] and Tom Marshall then worked with Episode Six, Sparrow, Liquid Gold, Bucks Fizz and Elaine Paige
Tom Dooley
Harmony Grass Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
I met her on the mountain
There I took her life
Met her on the mountain
Stabbed her with my knife
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
This time tomorrow
Reckon where I'll be
Hadn't a-been for Grayson
I'd a-been in Tennessee
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
This time tomorrow
Reckon where I'll be
Down in some lonesome valley
Hangin' from a white oak tree
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Hang down your head and cry
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die
Poor boy, you're bound to die
Poor boy you're bound to die
Poor boy, you're bound to die...
The lyrics to Harmony Grass's rendition of Tom Dooley tell the story of a man named Tom Dooley, who has murdered a woman he met on a mountain by stabbing her with a knife. The tone of the song is somber and mournful, as Tom Dooley is now facing the consequences of his actions and is "bound to die." The repetition of the line "hang down your head" adds to the melancholy mood of the song, emphasizing the weight of the situation.
The final verses of the song suggest that Tom Dooley knows his fate, as he states "this time tomorrow, reckon where I'll be, down in some lonesome valley, hanging from a white oak tree." These lyrics imply that Tom Dooley knows he will be executed for his crime and accepted his fate. The song ends on the poignant repetition of "poor boy, you're bound to die."
Overall, the lyrics to Harmony Grass's Tom Dooley tell a tragic story of murder and its consequences. The mournful tone and repetition of certain phrases emphasize the gravity of the situation and impart a sense of somberness to the song.
Line by Line Meaning
Hang down your head, Tom Dooley
Tom Dooley, lower your head in shame
Hang down your head and cry
Tom Dooley, cry in sorrow for your actions
Poor boy, you're bound to die
You are doomed to face death, Tom Dooley
I met her on the mountain
I encountered her while we were both on the mountain
There I took her life
I killed her in that location
Stabbed her with my knife
I used a knife to stab and kill her
This time tomorrow
In approximately 24 hours from now
Reckon where I'll be
I wonder where I will find myself
Hadn't a-been for Grayson
If it weren't for Grayson's intervention
I'd a-been in Tennessee
I would have been in Tennessee
Down in some lonesome valley
In a melancholic valley
Hangin' from a white oak tree
Hanging from the branch of a white oak tree
Poor boy, you're bound to die
You are doomed to face death, Tom Dooley
Poor boy you're bound to die
You are doomed to face death, Tom Dooley
Poor boy, you're bound to die...
You are doomed to face death, forever marked by your actions
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dave Guard
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rich Lanham
There can't be many finer vocal performances than this. I still love this version after so many many years.
LindaAnne1
Excellent! I like the way you explain the story of the record and give everyone credit for what they did.
Goldilocks080350
One of the best harmony groups ever
John Pearce
Amazing, amazing, amazing. Is the album still available Tony? By the way, thanks for your reply the other evening. John (Candy Choir).
Rich Lanham
You won't find a better version of this. This band were way ahead of many other bands.
thelonearranger1
Oh! They double tracked the vocals. I was wondering how they sounded so awesome on this.
Rockin' T.C.
The best version ever!
Howard Atkins
wonderful.
tonyrivers
John, I think the album in CD form can be found but it'll be quite expensive. I believe the tracks can be downloaded though. '
John Pearce
Tony, still trying. You're right about how expensive 'This Is Us' is. On Amazon it's £89.99. Just think of the royalties though! Found it also on '7 digital' for £7.49, but it won't download. I think I may have been had, so another paypal dispute's on the horizon.