Flatt and Scruggs met as members of Bill Monroe's band, the Blue Grass Boys in 1946. They both left that band early in 1948, and within a few months had formed their own group, the Foggy Mountain Boys. Scruggs' banjo style and Flatt's vocals gave them a distinctive sound that won them many fans. In 1955 they became members of the Grand Ole Opry. Many of the songs on their albums are credited to "Certain and Stacey". These were in fact written by Flatt and Scruggs and various other members of the Foggy Mountain Boys. Certain and Stacey are the maiden names of the wives of Flatt and Scruggs. Louise Certain, wife of Earl Scruggs and Gladys Stacey, wife of Lester Flatt.
Scruggs, who had always shown progressive tendencies, experimented on duets with saxophonist King Curtis and added songs by the likes of Bob Dylan to the group's repertoire. Flatt, a traditionalist, did not like these changes, and the group broke up in 1969. Following the breakup, Lester Flatt founded the Nashville Grass and Scruggs lead the Earl Scruggs Revue. Flatt died in 1979, while Scruggs continued to perform until his death in March 2012. Flatt and Scruggs were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1985
Flatt & Scruggs may be best known however as the performers of "The Ballad of Jed Clampit" the theme song from the sixties television show "The Beverly Hillbillies". Flatt & Scruggs made cameo appearances on the "The Beverly Hillbillies" as well.
Down the Road
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Lives a little girl named Pearly Blue
About so high and her hair is brown
The Prettiest thing boys in this town
Now anytime you want to know
Where I'm going, down the road
Get my girl on the line
Now everyday and Sunday too
I go to see my Pearly Blue
Before you hear that rooster crow
You'll see me headed down the road
Now old man Flatt he owned the farm
From the hog lot to the barn
From the barn to the rail
He made his living by carrying the mail
Now every time I get the blues
I walk the soles right off my shoes
I don't know why I love her so
That gal of mine lives down the road
The song Down the Road by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs is about a girl named Pearly Blue who lives a mile or two down the road from the singer. She is described as being pretty and having brown hair. Anytime the singer wants to be found, he can be found with Pearly Blue. Every day and Sunday, he goes to see her and he is always on his way to her before the rooster crows. The song ends with the mention of Old Man Flatt who owns a farm and makes his living delivering mail. The singer sings about how he loves Pearly Blue and walks the soles off his shoes.
The song Down the Road is a classic bluegrass tune that has been covered by many artists over the years. The song was originally released in 1951 by Flatt and Scruggs and it remains a popular song in bluegrass circles. The lyrics of the song are simple and straightforward, but they paint a vivid picture of life in rural America in the mid-20th century. The song speaks to the timeless appeal of love and the ways in which it can bring people together.
Line by Line Meaning
Now down the road just a mile or two
The singer is referring to a little girl that lives a short distance away.
Lives a little girl named Pearly Blue
The little girl's name is Pearly Blue.
About so high and her hair is brown
Pearly Blue is a short girl who has brown hair.
The Prettiest thing boys in this town
In the opinion of the boys in town, Pearly Blue is the prettiest girl.
Now anytime you want to know
The artist is providing information.
Where I'm going, down the road
The singer often goes down the road.
Get my girl on the line
If someone wants to find the singer, they should contact his girl.
You'll find me there most any old time
The artist can usually be found there.
Now everyday and Sunday too
The artist visits Pearly Blue every day, even on Sundays.
I go to see my Pearly Blue
The artist visits Pearly Blue.
Before you hear that rooster crow
The singer visits Pearly Blue early in the morning.
You'll see me headed down the road
The artist is often seen walking down the road to visit Pearly Blue.
Now old man Flatt he owned the farm
There is a man named Flatt who owns a farm.
From the hog lot to the barn
The farm has a hog lot and a barn.
From the barn to the rail
There is a rail on the farm.
He made his living by carrying the mail
Old man Flatt's job was to deliver mail.
Now every time I get the blues
The artist feels sad sometimes.
I walk the soles right off my shoes
The singer walks a lot when he is feeling down.
I don't know why I love her so
The singer is unsure why he loves Pearly Blue so much.
That gal of mine lives down the road
Pearly Blue is the artist's girlfriend and she lives down the road.
Lyrics © DistroKid
Written by: EARL SCRUGGS, LESTER FLATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
CatAdvocate1
Earl's backup licks should be required study for any serious student of the banjo. Fabulous tone, syncopated phrasing, swinging twists and turns. Unbelievable.
Axel Wexford
I hear this let me drift off back in time to the west virginia holler my people from Long live Appalachia america
doberfag
harrison county holler here
Владимир Владимир
Really Cool)
david stuart
wow - 73 years ago
Bobby Harrell : Alone With My Guitar
I’ve got a sugarbaby down the road!.....
Eric Lewis
Wow in 1949 I really did see is was out in 1950
Ranch Radio
Recorded in Cincinnati in May of 1949. At their next session on Dec. 11, 1949, also in Cincinnati, they recorded the famous Foggy Mountain Breakdown.