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.
Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms
Lester Flatt & Earl Scruggs Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't gonna work on the farm
Lay down the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
Now where were was you last Friday night?
While I was lying in jail
Walking the streets with another man
Wouldn't even go for my bail
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
I know your parents don't like me
They drove me away from your door
Had my life to live over
I'd never go there any more
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
The song ‘Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms’ by Lester Flatt is a bluegrass classic that was popularized in the 1940’s. The lyrics are about a man who doesn't want to work on the railroad or the farm, instead, he wants to stay at his shack until the mail train arrives so he can roll around in his sweet baby's arms. The song paint a picture of love and longing for a significant other, which is a common theme in country and bluegrass music.
The first and second stanzas of the song show the singer's desire to be with his sweetheart instead of working. The lyrics emphasize the importance of love over labor, as the singer proclaims that he would rather spend time with his loved one than work. The line "lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back" can be interpreted as a desire to spend time together until the mail train comes and separates them. The chorus repeats the same lyrics, reinforcing the idea that the singer just wants to be with his lover.
The third stanza of the song tells a story about the singer being in jail while his sweetheart walks the streets with another man. This stanza suggests that the singer is suspicious of his lover's fidelity, which suggests that the song is about a tumultuous relationship. The final stanza talks about how the singer was driven away by his lover's parents and how he wouldn't go back if he could start over. This stanza confirms that the singer has a turbulent history with his lover and her family.
Overall, ‘Roll In My Sweet Baby's Arms’ is a heartfelt song about love and longing. The lyrics reveal a complicated relationship, but despite the difficulties, the singer remains devoted to his lover.
Line by Line Meaning
I ain't gonna work on the railroad
I have no intention of working on the railroad.
I ain't gonna work on the farm
I also have no intention of working on the farm.
Lay down the shack 'til the mail train comes back
I will take a break and relax until the mail train returns.
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
Then I will embrace my beloved partner with joy and affection.
Now where were was you last Friday night?
Last Friday night, where were you?
While I was lying in jail
During a time when I was incarcerated.
Walking the streets with another man
You were wandering outside with a stranger.
Wouldn't even go for my bail
You refused to bail me out of jail.
I know your parents don't like me
I am aware that your parents disapprove of me.
They drove me away from your door
As a result, they forced me to leave your residence.
Had my life to live over
If I could live my life again,
I'd never go there any more
I would no longer go to their home.
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Despite all of this, I will still seek comfort in my lover's embrace.
Roll in my sweet baby's arms
Once again, I will be able to enjoy being held by my sweet baby.
Lay around the shack 'til the mail train comes back
I will take it easy until the mail train's return.
And I'll roll in my sweet baby's arms
And then I will continue to cuddle with my precious loved one.
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Peermusic Publishing
Written by: Lester Flatt
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jamesmorgan9448
My God, who will ever top this, tear ass, Flatt and Scruggs, nobody will ever be this good
@floydmansberger7399
Nothing these days, that's for sure.
@isorokudono
Check out Billy Strings.....
@isorokudono
@@floydmansberger7399 Billy Strings.....went from unknown to singing in the Circle at the Opry.
@toddavis8603
Best banjo and guitar in the great South----!"
@joeysherrock9657
My grandpa loved this song so many good times
@jeffdawson2786
Bluegrass perfection. 🪕
@gregorydiggs9227
Love these ole Blue Ridge tunes and the pickin
@kristinhopemays2225
Mays Family reunion Labor Day weekend What a lifetime memory Dump to my family🆘
@combatcarl2791
I had to come find this song to do some research. Damn, Earl Scruggs had a great right hand. Wow. I'm not really a fan of mountain music, but damn that's impressive. I can understand why he's probably still the pinnacle of banjo every player aspires to be even now - 60, 70, 80 years later.