Poverty drove the Dickens to move to the Baltimore, Maryland area when Dickins was nineteen. There she met Mike Seeger, younger brother of Pete Seeger and founding member of the New Lost City Ramblers and became active in the Baltimore-Washington area bluegrass and folk music scene during the 1960s. During this time she also established a collaborative relationship with Mike Seeger's wife, Alice Gerrard, and as "Hazel & Alice" recorded two albums for the Folkways label: "Who's That Knocking (And Other Bluegrass Country Music) (1965)" and "Won't You Come & Sing for Me (1973)". In this regard, Dickens and Gerrard were bluegrass bandleaders at a time when the vast majority of bluegrass bands were led by men.
Dickens appeared in the documentary Harlan County, USA and also contributed four songs to the soundtrack of the same film. She has also appeared in the film Matewan.
Dickins continues to record and perform all of her life. Her voice is among the most powerful and moving of all bluegrass singers, male or female.
Hazel Dickens died April 22, 2011 at the Washington Home hospice in the District. She was 75 and had complications from pneumonia. Bless you old girl.
My Better Years
Hazel Dickens Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Like I cried through all those lonely years
But I can't dry your tears it's been too long since love was here
And I've already gave you my better years
And so the pages of time kept right on turning
They never stopped for us to harvest the years
And old embers of love kept right on dying
But I've tried not to blame you
and I try not to shame you
All I can do now is wish you well
But if you should need a friend
I'll be there until the end
Just don't ask me to love you again.
And don't come back to my doorstep a' crying
Hoping for what's been dead so long
For the embers have all turned to ashes
There's nothing here but old memories and this song.
No don't come back to my doorstep a' crying
There's nothing here but old memories and this song.
Hazel Dickens' song "My Better Years" is about a relationship that didn't last and has left the singer content in herself but disappointed in the other person. The opening lyric "now you're back on my doorstep a' crying like I cried through all those lonely years" sets the scene as a former lover has reappeared looking for support. The singer, having moved on from the relationship, can't offer the same support as before, but she does offer her friendship.
As the song progresses, Hazel Dickens reflects on the fact that time keeps moving forward and they never stopped to enjoy their relationship. Love has died between them and it's been too long since those better years. Even though the singer is disappointed with the outcome of the relationship, she doesn't blame the other person. She still wishes them well but cannot love them again. As the song ends, the singer warns the former lover not to come back to her doorstep because there is nothing left but "old memories and this song."
The sentiment of "My Better Years" is clear - although we may wish to save a relationship, time doesn't standstill, and people cannot always get back what they had. It's not always about blaming the other person, but about the choices that we all make. The song encourages people to move on and focus on the good times you had together without dwelling on what could have been.
Line by Line Meaning
Now you're back on my doorstep a' crying
You have returned to my place, weeping.
Like I cried through all those lonely years
Similar to the way I mourned during those separate, solitary years.
But I can't dry your tears it's been too long since love was here
I cannot console you now, as it has been quite some time since affection existed here.
And I've already gave you my better years
I have given you my prime time and energy, already.
And so the pages of time kept right on turning
Chronological moments continued to proceed.
They never stopped for us to harvest the years
We were never halted; we lived those years without reaping their full benefit.
And old embers of love kept right on dying
Past sparks of emotion continued to fade away.
For there was no one to drown my tears.
As no one was present to comfort me, I had to weather my tears alone.
But I've tried not to blame you
I made an effort not to hold you responsible.
and I try not to shame you
Moreover, I endeavor not to criticize you.
All I can do now is wish you well
Presently, offering you my genuine well wishes is my only option.
But if you should need a friend
Although, if you ever need a confidant,
I'll be there until the end
I will support you through thick and thin.
Just don't ask me to love you again.
I will be unable to oblige you by reciprocating romantic feelings.
And don't come back to my doorstep a' crying
Please abstain from returning to cry on my threshold.
Hoping for what's been dead so long
Pining for what has ceased to exist for quite some time.
For the embers have all turned to ashes
As all remaining warm fragments have transformed into dust.
There's nothing here but old memories and this song.
There is not anything new or fresh, merely old reminiscences of times past and this melody.
No don't come back to my doorstep a' crying
Do not make the mistake of reappearing to weep outside my home.
There's nothing here but old memories and this song.
Once again, there is not anything new or fresh, merely old reminiscences of times past and this melody.
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: HAZEL DICKENS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind