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.
Folsom Prison Blues
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I hear the train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
When I was just a baby my mama told me son
Always be a good boy don't ever play with guns
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
[ ac.guitar - banjo ]
I bet there's rich folks eatin' from a fancy dining car
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smokin' big cigars
Well I know I had it comin' I know I can't be free
But those people keep on movin' and that's what tortures me
[ ac.guitar - dobro ]
Well if they freed me from this prison if this railroad train was mine
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
The opening lines of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs's song Folsom Prison Blues convey a poignant message about the struggles of being imprisoned. The singer expresses a sense of longing and desperation as he hears the train coming, rolling around the bend and heading towards San Antone, while he remains stuck in Folsom Prison. The description of being deprived of sunshine symbolizes how confined the character feels in his current situation. He then reveals that he had shot a man in Reno just to watch him die and hangs his head in regret and shame while hearing the whistle blow.
This song conveys a message of the consequences of one's actions and how they can lead to a lifetime of regret. The use of the train in the song provides a metaphor for the passage of time and how life goes on, even as the prisoner remains trapped. The image of rich people eating and drinking on a fancy dining car highlights the singer's envy and frustration, as he wishes to be free like them. The song's final lines reveal the singer's wish to be freed from prison and move on to a better life, far from his current confinement.
Line by Line Meaning
I hear the train a comin' it's rollin' round the bend
I can hear and see the train approaching the prison.
And I ain't seen the sunshine since I don't know when
I haven't seen daylight for so long that I can't even remember the last time I did.
I'm stuck in Folsom Prison and time keeps draggin' on
I'm trapped in this prison and the days feel endless and boring.
But that train keeps a rollin' on down to San Antone
The train is a reminder that life is moving on and that the world outside the prison is still continuing without me.
When I was just a baby my mama told me son
My mother gave me advice when I was young.
Always be a good boy don't ever play with guns
She warned me to stay away from violence and dangerous behavior.
But I shot a man in Reno just to watch him die
Despite my mother's warnings, I committed a serious crime and took someone's life.
When I hear that whistle blowin' I hang my head and cry
The sound of the train makes me feel remorseful for what I have done.
I bet there's rich folks eatin' from a fancy dining car
I imagine wealthy people on the train, enjoying their meals and engaging in a luxurious way of life.
They're probably drinkin' coffee and smokin' big cigars
These well-off individuals are likely indulging in coffee and fancy tobacco products.
Well I know I had it comin' I know I can't be free
I understand that I am in prison because I deserve to be and that I won't be able to leave anytime soon.
But those people keep on movin' and that's what tortures me
Watching others move on with their lives while I am stuck in prison is deeply frustrating and painful.
Well if they freed me from this prison if this railroad train was mine
If I were released from prison and had the ability to control the train, I would use it to get as far away from Folsom as possible.
I bet I'd move it on a little farther down the line
I would keep moving the train away from Folsom Prison.
Far from Folsom Prison that's where I want to stay
If I could choose, I would prefer to never return to Folsom Prison or any other prison.
And I'd let that lonesome whistle blow my blues away
The sound of the train's whistle would bring me relief and potentially lift my spirits.
Contributed by Liliana H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.