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.
Kansas City
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I'm goin' to Kansas City Kansas City here I come
Tell them Kansas City women their Kansas City daddys comin' home
Been on this old road travelin' night and day
On this old road travelin' night and day
I'm goin' to Kansas City Casey's callin' me
I got a friend in Denver he wanted me to stay awhile
Got a friend in Denver he wanted me to stay awhile
[ ac.guitar ]
I've been hitchhikin' every day and night yeah mostly hikin' every day and night
Just a few more miles old Casey will be in sight
When they lay me down beneath that cold cold ground
When they lay this old boy down beneath that cold cold ground
It'll be in Kansas City Casey my old hometown
The lyrics of Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs's song "Kansas City" express the desire of a man who has been traveling and is now eagerly heading towards his hometown of Kansas City. The repetition of the phrase "I'm goin' to Kansas City" in the first two lines of the song gives a sense of enthusiasm and anticipation. The singer is looking forward to meeting his friends and family in Kansas City and seeing the women he left behind. He is confident that he will be welcomed back to his hometown with open arms by the fathers of the Kansas City women.
The lyrics also reveal the struggles of traveling, as the singer mentions that he has been on the road for a long time, traveling day and night. He indicates that he has been hitchhiking and hiking to reach his destination, highlighting the difficulties of his journey. However, despite these obstacles, he is determined to reach Kansas City and counts every mile towards his destination. The song ends with a somber note, as the singer mentions his eventual death and his wish to be buried in his old hometown of Kansas City.
Overall, the lyrics of "Kansas City" convey a sense of nostalgia, longing for home and the struggles of traveling. It is a fitting tribute to the town of Kansas City and a testament to the determination and resilience of the human spirit.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm goin' to Kansas City Kansas City here I come
I'm heading to Kansas City with great excitement
Tell them Kansas City women their Kansas City daddys comin' home
I'm letting the ladies in Kansas City know that I'm coming back
Been on this old road travelin' night and day
I've been traveling constantly, day and night
I'm goin' to Kansas City Casey's callin' me
I'm being called to Kansas City and I can't ignore it
I got a friend in Denver he wanted me to stay awhile
My friend in Denver wanted me to stay with him for a while
But I'm goin' to Kansas City countin' every mile
Regardless of my friend's request, I'm still heading to Kansas City and counting every mile
I've been hitchhikin' every day and night yeah mostly hikin' every day and night
I've been traveling mostly on foot and hitchhiking to get to Kansas City
Just a few more miles old Casey will be in sight
I'm almost at Kansas City and will soon see the familiar sights of the city
When they lay me down beneath that cold cold ground
When I pass away and am buried
It'll be in Kansas City Casey my old hometown
I want to be buried in my hometown of Kansas City
Contributed by Maya O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.