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.
Take 'em Away
Old Crow Medicine Show Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Some birds' feathers are too bright to be caged
I know I'm not that colorful but a bird just the same
Open up your gate now, let me put down my load
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Sun beatin' down, my legs can't seem to stand
There's a boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand
I've got nine children, nothin' in the pan
My wife she died hungry while I was plowin' land
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Can't see when I go to work, can't see when I get off
How do you expect a man not to get lost
Every year I just keep getting deeper in debt
If there's a happy day, Lord, I haven't seen one yet
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Land that I love is the land that I'm workin'
But it's hard to love it all the time when your back is a-hurtin'
Gettin' too old now to push this here plow
Please let me lay down so I can look at the clouds
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Land that I know is where two rivers collide
The Brazos the Navaho and the big blue sky
Flood plains, freight trains, watermelon vines
Of any place on God's green earth, this is where I choose to die
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
The lyrics to Old Crow Medicine Show's song "Take 'em Away" tell a story of a man who dreams of being free from the chains that bind him. The song starts by the singer pleading the Lord to take away his chains as his heart feels broken, and his spirit is not free. He uses a metaphor of a colorful bird being too bright to be caged, just like he feels that he deserves to be free. The singer deeply desires to unburden himself from the responsibilities that weigh him down so that he can go back to the place he calls home.
The song then takes a turn and becomes a poignant commentary on the struggles of a farmer's life. The singer mentions how he can hardly stand due to the brutal summer heat, and his boss man always carries a rifle as if ready to shoot. Despite having nine children, he has nothing to feed them with, and his wife died hungry while he was working on his land. The song is a depiction of the impoverished life of farmers who toil in the fields and struggle to provide for their families. The singer can hardly see due to his hardworking days and mentions that he is deep in debt.
Towards the end of the song, the singer describes the land where he lives, loves, and wishes to die. He mentions the crossing of two rivers, the Brazos and the Navaho, and the vast blue sky. The final verse shows a glimmer of hope as the singer desires to lay down and look at the clouds, indicating that he still holds onto hope despite his situation.
Line by Line Meaning
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Please remove the chains that bind me, Lord
Take away these chains from me
Free me from the burdens that hold me down
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
I feel trapped and unhappy despite my efforts
Lord take away these chains from me
I implore you, Lord, to release me from my struggles
Some birds' feathers are too bright to be caged
Some individuals are too special to be held back
I know I'm not that colorful but a bird just the same
Although I may not be unique or remarkable, I still deserve to live freely
Open up your gate now, let me put down my load
Give me a chance to rest and be at peace
So I can feel at ease and go back to my home
Allow me to relax and return to the place where I belong
Sun beatin' down, my legs can't seem to stand
The hot sun is causing me physical discomfort
There's a boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand
My work is controlled by someone with power over me
I've got nine children, nothin' in the pan
I struggle to provide for my family despite my best efforts
My wife she died hungry while I was plowin' land
My loved ones suffer while I am unable to help them
Can't see when I go to work, can't see when I get off
My days are filled with hardship and struggle
How do you expect a man not to get lost
It's difficult to find direction and purpose in these circumstances
Every year I just keep getting deeper in debt
I am constantly sinking further into financial troubles
If there's a happy day, Lord, I haven't seen one yet
I have yet to experience any happiness or joy in my life
Land that I love is the land that I'm workin'
The place that I hold dear is where I spend all of my time working
But it's hard to love it all the time when your back is a-hurtin'
It's difficult to maintain my appreciation for this place when I am constantly in pain
Gettin' too old now to push this here plow
My advancing age is making manual labor increasingly difficult
Please let me lay down so I can look at the clouds
Allow me to rest and enjoy the simple pleasures in life
Land that I know is where two rivers collide
The place where I feel most at home is at the convergence of two bodies of water
The Brazos the Navaho and the big blue sky
The rivers and the sky are the most beautiful parts of the landscape to me
Flood plains, freight trains, watermelon vines
The scenery I am surrounded by is made up of natural and man-made features
Of any place on God's green earth, this is where I choose to die
Despite all of the struggles, this is where I feel the most connected to the world and at peace
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: CRITTER FUQUA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Colm Gray
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Some birds' feathers are too bright to be caged
I know I'm not that colorful but a bird just the same
Open up your gate now, let me put down my load
So I can feel at ease and go back to my home
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Sun beatin' down, my legs can't seem to stand
There's a boss man at a turnrow with a rifle in his hand
I've got nine children, nothin' in the pan
My wife she died hungry while I was plowin' land
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Can't see when I go to work, can't see when I get off
How do you expect a man not to get lost
Every year I just keep getting deeper in debt
If there's a happy day, Lord, I haven't seen one yet
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Land that I love is the land that I'm workin'
But it's hard to love it all the time when your back is a-hurtin'
Gettin' too old now to push this here plow
Please let me lay down so I can look at the clouds
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
Land that I know is where two rivers collide
The Brazos the Navaho and the big blue sky
Flood plains, freight trains, watermelon vines
Of any place on God's green earth, this is where I choose to die
Take 'em away, take 'em away, Lord
Take away these chains from me
My heart is broken 'cause my spirit's not free
Lord take away these chains from me
TacticalBacon987
I am bound to my sins, the devil has bound me to a chain. Lord take em away.
"O God, save me by your name, and vindicate me by your might.
O God, hear my prayer; give ear to the words of my mouth.
For strangers have risen against me; ruthless men seek my life; they do not set God before themselves. Selah.
Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.
He will return the evil to my enemies; in your faithfulness put an end to them.
With a freewill offering I will sacrifice to you; I will give thanks to your name, O Lord, for it is good.
For he has delivered me from every trouble, and my eye has looked in triumph on my enemies."
Psalm 54
ronaldinhollew
The most Underrated Old Crow Medicine Show song. Superb lyrics and a soothing tune.
Gabriel Albuquerque
this is indeed an incredible song.
KISSMYACE3203
@Gabriel Albuquerque sometimes I find it amazing the amount of time passed in between comment replies. 10 years, and then I'm here just 15 hours later...
Gabriel Albuquerque
@KISSMYACE3203 wow! Just realized the comment is like 10 years old.
Guto Llewelyn
@Gabriel Albuquerque I've only just seen the notification for this comment. I thought: "When did I comment on an OCMS video? Was I drunk?" I dread to think what other nonsense I was writing on the internet 10 years ago which somebody could casually find.
Gabriel Albuquerque
@Guto Llewelyn i feel ya my man
miguel sanchez
Wow! What a demonstration of talent and intensity. These guys are like time travelers either from now back to the thirties or from the thirties to now. I can see why their fans range from traditional bluegrass to metalheads and punk . The integrity runs so deep.
Craze Official
I've listened to rap my whole life, but my life long much older friend always drank old crow, and listened to this band, and it just brings me back to the times we would drink and enjoy each other's company. I love this music. Unfortunately he lost his life in 2021.
Sarah Hanken
Sorry you lost your dear friend ❤️🩹
RANDY OVERCASH
Opening gates gains or ties that bind. John 1:9 that's the all with us white bar room buddies the best kind brains me up on the rock a roller stage. Third days dawned ?