One of the most innovative and popular bluegrass groups of the 1960s and 1970s, the band took their music into new directions and gained a large audience. Among their most notable achievements were their pioneering, inventive use of amplification, twin harmony banjos, double-tracked vocals, steel guitars, and drums. They were the first bluegrass group to expand the genre's sonic palette in such a fashion.
In 2005 Sonny Osborne retired, owing to a shoulder injury, and Bobby continued to tour as Bobby Osborne and the Rocky Top X-press.
In addition to "Rocky Top," the brothers' hit records include "Making Plans," "Up This Hill and Down," "Midnight Flyer," "Take Me Home, Country Roads," "Muddy Bottom," "Tennessee Houndog," "Georgia Pineywoods," "Roll Muddy River," "The Kind of Woman I Got," and "Ruby (Are You Mad At Your Man)."
The White Dove
Osborne Brothers Lyrics
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There's a place that I love so well
Where I spent many days of my childhood
In the cabin where we loved to dwell
White dove will mourn in sorrow
The willows will hang their heads
I'll live my life in sorrow
We were all so happy there together
In our peaceful little mountain home
But the savior needs angels up in heaven
Now they sing around the great white throne
As the years roll by I often wonder
If we will all be together someday
And each night as I wander through the graveyard
Darkness finds me as I kneel to pray
The lyrics of Osborne Brothers' song 'The White Dove' paint a melancholic picture of the singer's childhood home in the rolling hills of Virginia. The singer reminisces about spending many joyful days in the cabin with his family. However, the mood of the song takes a somber turn as the singer mourns his parents' death. The white dove symbolizes the mourning and sorrow that has engulfed the family. The willows hanging their heads signify the heavy burden of grief that they all must bear. The loss of the singer's parents has left him with a lifelong sorrow, and he wonders if they will ever be reunited again. The song ends with the singer visiting the graveyard where his parents are laid to rest, and he finds solace in praying for them.
'The White Dove' is a deeply symbolic song that reflects on the themes of life, death, and grief. The white dove is a symbol of purity, innocence, and peace, and it represents the love and companionship that the singer shared with his parents. The willows' image hanging their heads is a common symbol of mourning and grief. The graveyard is a somber reminder of the inevitable cycle of life and death that affects us all.
Line by Line Meaning
In the deep rolling hills of old Virginia
The song takes place in a remote area of Virginia.
There's a place that I love so well
The singer has a deep attachment to this place.
Where I spent many days of my childhood
The singer has fond memories of spending time here as a child.
In the cabin where we loved to dwell
The singer mentions a specific cabin where they lived.
White dove will mourn in sorrow
The death of the singer's parents is represented by a mournful white dove.
The willows will hang their heads
The environment is impacted by the death of the parents, as seen by the drooping willow trees.
I'll live my life in sorrow
The singer is anticipating a future filled with sadness and grief.
Since mother and daddy are dead
The reasons for this future sorrow are the deaths of the singer's parents.
We were all so happy there together
The family was content and joyful living together in the cabin.
In our peaceful little mountain home
The cabin may be small, but it was a place of peace and safety for the family.
But the savior needs angels up in heaven
The singer accepts that their parents are in a better place, according to their faith.
Now they sing around the great white throne
The image of the singer's parents singing in heaven brings them comfort.
As the years roll by I often wonder
Years after the parents' death, the singer still thinks about their passing.
If we will all be together someday
The future is uncertain, and the singer hopes to be reunited with their parents.
And each night as I wander through the graveyard
The singer visits the cemetery where their parents are buried.
Darkness finds me as I kneel to pray
The singer's emotions are heightened each night as they pray in the cemetery, overcome with grief.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARTER STANLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind