The Ozark Mountain Da… Read Full Bio ↴Alternative tag The Ozark Mountain Daredevils.
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils started in 1971 in Springfield, Missouri in an attempt by the singer/songwriter members to have a vehicle in which to display and promote their music. At first, they played in bars and on porches. However, a record executive from A&M records discovered the band, and they began their recording path.
The original members of the band consisted of:
John Dillion - (vocals, guitars, mandolin, fiddle, piano, harp, autoharp, dulcimer, jawbone, percussion, keyboards)
Mike "Supe" Granda - (vocals, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, percussion, chicken squawks)
Buddy Brayfield - (vocals, oboe, piano, harpsichord, organ, percussion, electric piano)
Randle Chowning - (vocals, lead electric & acoustic guitars, harp, national steel, mandolin)
Steve Cash - (vocals, harp, percussion, harpsichord)
Larry Lee - (vocals, drums, acoustic guitar, synthesizer, piano, percussion, saw, saw & board)
The Daredevils peaked commercially in 1973-1974 and were best known for "Jackie Blue" and "If You Wanna Get To Heaven", which both got national coverage. However, there was a wide range of music that the Daredevils produced that was widely missed. The influences of the locale and the talents of the band members produced some unique sounds that could be related to "rockabilly" influences. There was also a good body of music that could be classified as country, rock, ballads, folk or blues.
The band changed throughout the years, but played prevantly throughout the '70s and gained and lost members during that time. To this day, there is still a loyal and avid fan following. There are discs still being released by the group, mostly of past performances in the '70s. In addition, many of the members are currently still working on other interests including Randle Chowning, Larry Lee ("Beyond Reach") Mike "Supe" Granda, and possibly others.
A reunion concert was held in Springfield, Missouri at the refurbished Gilloiz Theatre, in May of 2007. The three nights they performed were entirely sold out, weeks in advance of the concert.
Gypsy Forest
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And the gypsies live in the forest
While the owls and the crows and the sure foot does
Still live like those before us
And the oak and the pine and the sycamore shines
And the day spins round like a feather
And the sawmill whines and the bluebird dines
(OBOE SOLO)
Now the old folk tell of an ancient bell
Somewhere sunk in the meadow
But the shepherd there with the snow white hair
Just sings in the evening shadows
And no one knows where the clear creek goes
When the moonlight fades in the forest
But the peacock screams and the gypsy dreams
Of a time gone by before us
(OBOE SOLO)
Round and a round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round.
In "Gypsy Forest" by Ozark Mountain Daredevils, the lyrics paint a picture of a serene and beautiful forest where various creatures and beings coexist. The opening lines of the song suggest some degree of separation between the different entities residing in the forest and the sea. Dolphins live in the open sea, gypsies live in the forest, and other animals like owls, crows, and sure-footed creatures continue to live as they always have. The second verse brings attention to the trees in the forest—the oak, pine, and sycamore and how their beauty shines, and the day moves on without pause. The lyric 'And the song goes on forever' implies that the natural environment's song will continue despite the changes happening around it.
The third verse delves deeper into the legends and folklore surrounding the forest. The old folks tell of an ancient bell lost somewhere in the meadow. Meanwhile, a shepherd sings in the evening shadows, celebrating a way of life that may have vanished but remains alive in his memory. The final line sees the peacock screaming and the gypsy dreaming of a time gone by before all of us. The repeated phrase 'round and a round and a round' sounds like a musical interpretation of a cycle of life, death, and rebirth in the forest.
Overall, "Gypsy Forest" is a contemplative song about nature, peace, and the human desire to connect with something greater than ourselves.
Line by Line Meaning
The dolphins live in the open sea
Dolphins, being aquatic animals, live freely and openly in the vast seas
And the gypsies live in the forest
Gypsies, being wanderers with no fixed abode, choose to live in the woods and forests
While the owls and the crows and the sure foot does
Still live like those before us
Animals like owls, crows, and sure-footed deer have lived in their natural habitats for ages, following the same way of life as their ancestors did
And the oak and the pine and the sycamore shines
And the day spins round like a feather
And the sawmill whines and the bluebird dines
And the song goes on forever
The majestic oak, pine, and sycamore trees stand tall and shining; the day passes by smoothly like a carefree feather; the roaring sawmill and chirping bluebird continue to exist, yet the song of life continues on eternally
Now the old folk tell of an ancient bell
Somewhere sunk in the meadow
But the shepherd there with the snow white hair
Just sings in the evening shadows
The elderly folks speak of a lost and forgotten bell buried deep in the meadows; but the shepherd, with his long, snowy hair, quietly sings songs in the shadows of the evening
And no one knows where the clear creek goes
When the moonlight fades in the forest
But the peacock screams and the gypsy dreams
Of a time gone by before us
The path of the crystal-clear creek is unknown to all when the forest plunges into the darkness of night; but the loud screams of peacocks and the vivid dreams of gypsies take them back to a distant time before the present
Round and a round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round and a round
Round and a round and a round.
The cycle of life and nature goes round and round eternally, without a beginning or an end
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDLE CHOWNING, STEVE CASH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
mbgaomo
Don't think they have what you would call a bad song. Definitely in my Hall Of Fame!
man from earth
This has got to be one of my favorite OMD songs. Thanks for posting it!
Sue Lamberson
I had all of their music on vinyl, had to go grab all that was avail. on CD. Still have to spin that vinyl once in a while. Superior, top 3 all time favorite bands.
Lili Sempre
Esses caras são demais 😉👍
stbricesday
Great memories. When I was helping a gardener in Maidstone after first leaving school, we listened to the Car Over The Lake Album over and again on his tape player as we worked. Summer '77. This song and 'Leatherwood' first got me hooked to Country. Saved me from the sheepish media peer pressure driven drivel, most fell for.
jadie sharp
Yes, they are the sweetest of music any time of day or night or mood...this song takes me way back. Its honey to my ears and soul. I hope some thoughtful person plays it at my funeral...road to glory.
Melvis Kersey
Dig it! The whole album kicks ass.
Michael M.
This is an intricate song. Just a lot of different levels to it. When you try to follow along with the different instruments it just gets more complicated which just makes it all that better!!
The Inspired Entrepreneur
My dad played this song on his guitar when I was little. Most of his songs he played were by that band. Other than that he played a lot of Beatles songs and done Charlie Daniels.
Jim Felton
Iowa boy, born and bred...late 70s this was salve for the soul...so fun, earthy, and their "heavy" stuff (e.g. From Time to Time, Whippoorwill) PROFOUNDLY moving