At the time of his death, Hartford was also working on the biography of the blind fiddler Ed Haley. Hartford's album Wild Hog in the Red Bush is a collection of Haley's tunes. Hartford also provided narration for several of Ken Burns' documentaries.
Hartford was given a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
Hartford recorded more than 30 albums in his life, ranging across a broad spectrum of styles--from the traditional country of his early RCA recordings, to the new and experimental sound of his early newgrass recordings, to the traditional folk style to which he often returned later in his life. Hartford's albums also vary widely in formality, from the stately and orderly "Annual Waltz" to the rougher and less cut recordings that typified many of his later albums.
"Aereo-Plain" and "Morning Bugle" are often considered to be Hartford's most influential work, coming as they did at the very beginning of a period in which artists such as Hartford and the New Grass Revival, led by Sam Bush, would create a new form of country music, blending their country backgrounds with influences from another of other sources. His later years saw a number of live albums, as well as recordings that explored the repertoire of old-time folk music. He sketched the cover art for some of his mid-career albums, drawing with both hands simultaneously.
From the 1980s onwards, Hartford struggled with non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma. On June 4, 2001 at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, at age 63, he died of the disease.
Hartford is remembered as an influential and pioneering artist. Never bound by the limitations of one genre, he recorded wherever his interests led him. Performing and recording until his illness rendered him incapable of continuing, Hartford contributed a vast and unique body of work to the library of American music.
Dig a Hole
John Hartford Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
We′re going to lay darling Corey down
Well, now the first time I seen darling Corey
She was a standing on the banks of the sea
A 45 pistol on her forearm
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
We're going to lay darling Corey down
Wake up, wake up, darling Corey
What makes you sleep so sound?
Them darn coal officеrs a coming
Their going to tear your playhouse down
Dig a holе, dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
We′re going to lay darling Corey down
The song “Dig a Hole” by John Hartford is a traditional folk song that tells a very dark tale. The song speaks about burying beloved “Darling Corey” six feet under in the cold ground. The first stanza tells about digging a hole in the meadow and laying Corey down. This indicates that Corey has died, and they need to bury her.
The second stanza narrates that the singer saw Corey for the first time standing near the banks of the sea. She had a 45 pistol on her forearm and a banjo on her knee. This gives us insight into her character- someone who is tough but also harbored a love for music.
The final stanza indicates that Corey is in danger of being arrested by the coal officers who are coming to tear down her playhouse. The stanza has a mournful and somber tone as the singer calls Corey to wake up. This sense of urgency is present throughout the song, making it emotional and poignant.
Overall, “Dig a Hole“ is an eerie melody, speaking about drug addiction and trafficking, loss, love, and death. It’s a heart-wrenching song that speaks to the soul, and it’s easy to see why it has remained a favorite of many for decades.
Line by Line Meaning
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
The singer is instructing someone to physically dig a hole in the meadow.
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
The hole being dug is meant to be deep, and therefore it will be cold from the lack of direct sunlight.
We're going to lay darling Corey down
The purpose of digging this hole is to lay someone named Corey in it.
Well, now the first time I seen darling Corey
The artist is recounting the first time they saw a woman named Corey.
She was a standing on the banks of the sea
Corey was standing near the ocean.
A 45 pistol on her forearm
Corey was carrying a .45 caliber handgun on her arm.
And a banjo on her knee
In addition to the gun, Corey had a banjo instrument rested on her leg.
Wake up, wake up, darling Corey
The artist is attempting to wake up Corey, who is likely asleep or unconscious.
What makes you sleep so sound?
The artist is asking Corey why she is sleeping so deeply.
Them darn coal officers a coming
Coal officers, likely those associated with the mining industry, are on their way to the area.
Their going to tear your playhouse down
The officers are threatening to destroy Corey's spot of refuge or place of residence.
Writer(s): John Hartford
Contributed by Sarah G. Suggest a correction in the comments below.