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.
Hard Travelin'
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' way down the road
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' hard ramblin' hard gamblin'
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
Well I've been a ridin' them fast rattlers I thought you know
I've been a ridin' them blind passengers way down the road
I've been a ridin' them dead ends and flat wheelers kickin' up cinders
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
Well I've been a layin' in a hard rock jeil I thought you know
I've been a layin' there ninety days way down the road
Mean old judge said to me it's ninety days for vagrancy
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
I've been a workin' at Pittsburgh Steel I thought you know
I've been a dumpin' that red hot slag way down the road
I've been a blastin' I've been firin' I've been a pourin' that red hot iron
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
[ banjo - fiddle ]
I've been a hittin' some hard harvest and I thought you know
North Dakota to Kansas City way down the road
Cuttin' that wheat stackin' that hay tryin' to make about a dollar a day
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
I've been a workin' on Lincoln Highway I thought you know
I've been a hitchin' on 66 way down the road
Heavy load and worried mind lookin' for woman that's hard to find
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
The song "Hard Travelin'" by Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs is a classic American folk song that speaks about the hardships and challenges faced by people who travel for work. The lyrics describe the various means of travel used by these people, including riding fast rattlers (trains), hitching rides as blind passengers, working in steel mills, harvesting crops, and hitchhiking on highways. The repeated chorus "I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord" reflects the exhaustion and difficulties faced by the travelers.
The song reflects the problems faced by the working class during the great American Depression. The recurring imagery of traveling, hard labor, and poverty reflects the challenges faced by many Americans during this time. The song reflects the difficulties faced by people in finding work and making a living, and the struggles of those who do not have a permanent home. The song is also a commentary on the inhumane treatment of vagrants during the time, with a reference to a "mean old judge" sending someone to jail for vagrancy.
"Hard Travelin'" is a classic American folk song that has been covered by many artists over the years, including Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, and Johnny Cash. The song reflects the struggles of the working-class and has become an iconic representation of the American spirit of resilience and perseverance.
Line by Line Meaning
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' I thought you know
I have been experiencing some tough travels and I assumed you were aware of it.
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' way down the road
I've been encountering difficult travels for quite a long time now.
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' hard ramblin' hard gamblin'
My travels have been challenging, full of wandering and risky behaviors.
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
I've been experiencing tough travels that have left me seeking the help of the Lord.
Well I've been a ridin' them fast rattlers I thought you know
I've been riding fast trains and I thought you were aware of it.
I've been a ridin' them blind passengers way down the road
I've been hitching rides with strangers and facing the risk of unknown destinations.
I've been a ridin' them dead ends and flat wheelers kickin' up cinders
I've been on trains that have led me to dead-end tracks and poorly maintained train cars.
Well I've been a layin' in a hard rock jeil I thought you know
I've been imprisoned in a jail with hard and uncomfortable conditions, and I thought you were aware.
I've been a layin' there ninety days way down the road
I've been in jail for ninety days for the crime of vagrancy.
Mean old judge said to me it's ninety days for vagrancy
The judge, who I believe was unjust, sentenced me to ninety days in jail for being a vagrant.
I've been a workin' at Pittsburgh Steel I thought you know
I've been working in the steel mills of Pittsburgh, and I thought you were aware of it.
I've been a dumpin' that red hot slag way down the road
I've been working hard, dumping red hot waste material for an extended period of time.
I've been a blastin' I've been firin' I've been a pourin' that red hot iron
My work at the steel mills includes operating machinery that involves blasting, firing, and pouring red hot molten iron.
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
My tough travels have left me seeking the help of the Lord.
I've been a hittin' some hard harvest and I thought you know
I've been working hard and experiencing challenging harvests, and I thought you were aware of it.
Cuttin' that wheat stackin' that hay tryin' to make about a dollar a day
My work has included cutting wheat and stacking hay, and I'm only making the bare minimum pay.
I've been a workin' on Lincoln Highway I thought you know
I've been traveling and working on Lincoln Highway, and I thought you were aware of it.
I've been a hitchin' on 66 way down the road
I've been hitchhiking on Route 66 for quite some time now.
Heavy load and worried mind lookin' for woman that's hard to find
I'm carrying a heavy load and I'm worried. I'm also desperately searching for a woman who has been difficult to locate.
I've been a havin' some hard travelin' Lord
My tough travels have left me seeking the help of the Lord.
Contributed by Nicholas O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.