They were formally inducted into the Grand Ole Opry at a special ceremony at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on September 17, 2013.
Their 2004 album "O.C.M.S." was selected by CMT (Country Music Television) as one of the top-10 bluegrass albums of that year. Their current tour includes bars, festivals, and larger venues. They are best experienced in smaller settings, where their infectious high-energy style electrifies the crowd, often a mixture of older listeners and 20-somethings.
They make frequent guest appearances on A Prairie Home Companion.
Sweet Home
Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics
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I'm getting ready to go
Pulling on a bottle of burgundy wine
I'm getting ready to go
Well they couldn't hear that southbound whistle when
The Dixie Flyer burned around the bend
And it punched their tickets for the promise land
I'm getting ready to go
Sweet home, loving heaven heaven
Sweet home, can't ya hear me singing low
Sweet home, lordy I'll be traveling
So throw the gates wide open
Cause I'm getting ready to go
Two magpies on a telephone wire
I'm getting ready to go
Singing to the corn like a heavenly choir
I'm getting ready to go
Old Farmer John must be sleeping sound
They shucked that corn and passed it around
But the old man's wife got her shotgun down
I'm getting ready to go
Sweet home, loving heaven heaven
Sweet home, can't ya hear me singing low
Sweet home, lordy I'll be traveling
So throw the gates wide open
Cause I'm getting ready to go
Listen here pal 'fore your road is run
And your tightrope breaks in two
It's a mighty big world you're standing on
And it keeps going round without little old
You know who
Boodle-am boodle-am boodle-am boodle-am boo
Toodle-am toodle-am toodle-am toodle-am too
Shake a leg, shake a leg, shake a leg, shake a leg now
Break a leg, drag a leg, shake a leg, grab a leg, break a leg, shake a leg now
Well it's so long, good luck, great to know you
I'm getting ready to go
May the Lord above take a liking to you
I'm getting ready to go
Well it's a short life of trouble so don't make more
When death comes creeping 'round your back door
It don't knock twice brother that's for sure
I'm getting ready to go
Sweet home, loving heaven heaven
Sweet home, can't ya hear me singing low
Sweet home, lordy I'll be traveling
So throw the gates wide open
Cause I'm getting ready to go
Throw the gates wide open
Cause I'm getting ready to go
The lyrics of "Sweet Home" by Old Crow Medicine Show reflect the transience of life and the desire to find a home in heaven. The song features a hobo, thought to be the singer, on a railroad line, drinking wine, singing to the corn, and encountering magpies. The singer seems to be in a state of constant motion, always getting ready to go, and seeking a place he can call home. The lyrics speak to the idea of home, both earthly and heavenly, as a place of comfort, safety, and peace.
The first verse of "Sweet Home" alludes to the famous train wreck of the Dixie Flyer, which killed many people and symbolizes the fragility of life. The reference to magpies on a wire evokes the image of birds migrating, further emphasizing the theme of transience. The second verse discusses the passing of time and the ephemerality of life, as people shuck corn, and the old man's wife takes out her shotgun. The final verse is a warning to the listener to make the most of life before it's too late. The song's chorus repeats the phrase "sweet home" as a prayer or a plea, underscoring the desire for a safe and happy place to belong.
Line by Line Meaning
Two hobos on a railroad line
There are two homeless people on the railroad line.
Pulling on a bottle of burgundy wine
They are drinking burgundy wine.
Well they couldn't hear that southbound whistle when
They were unable to hear the southbound train whistle.
The Dixie Flyer burned around the bend
The Dixie Flyer train crashed around the curve.
And it punched their tickets for the promise land
The train crash killed them and sent them to heaven.
Two magpies on a telephone wire
Two magpies are on the telephone wire.
Singing to the corn like a heavenly choir
The magpies are singing to the cornfield like a choir.
Old Farmer John must be sleeping sound
Old Farmer John is probably sound asleep.
They shucked that corn and passed it around
The corn was harvested and shared among the workers.
But the old man's wife got her shotgun down
The old man's wife got angry and brought out her shotgun.
Listen here pal 'fore your road is run
Listen to me before it's too late.
And your tightrope breaks in two
Your life may fall apart.
It's a mighty big world you're standing on
The world is a vast and complex place.
And it keeps going round without little old
The world will keep going without you.
You know who
You know who you are.
Shake a leg, shake a leg, shake a leg, shake a leg now
Hurry up and get moving.
Break a leg, drag a leg, shake a leg, grab a leg, break a leg, shake a leg now
Hurry up and get moving by any means possible.
Well it's so long, good luck, great to know you
Goodbye, good luck, it was nice knowing you.
May the Lord above take a liking to you
I hope God likes you.
Well it's a short life of trouble so don't make more
Life is short, so try not to make it worse.
When death comes creeping 'round your back door
When death is approaching.
It don't knock twice brother that's for sure
Death doesn't wait around and knock on the door twice.
Throw the gates wide open
Open the gates to heaven.
Cause I'm getting ready to go
I am ready to go to heaven.
Contributed by Jasmine A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.