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.
Road To Glory
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When the judge checks his supper, its so small.
And the hills are grey with trouble and the dry spring gathers dust.
Your lover's crying in the valley, she lost her trust.
Behind the gold, behind the treasure, behind the mask.
Then comes a team of four white horses, and a lady with night black hair.
And she looks to be such a fine one, but is she really there?
I've gotta knoooow owoo, I've gotta knooow owo, I've gotta know!
The song "Road to Glory" by Ozark Mountain Daredevils is a narrative of a journey towards salvation from a bleak and desolate world. The opening stanza of the song speaks of a card game happening in the courtyard, where the winner loses everything, and a judge who has a meager supper. These lines signify the uncertainty and unpredictability of life, where one can lose everything even after winning, and the people who should be well-off have to live a life filled with scarcity. The second stanza paints a picture of a world filled with trouble and despair. The hills are grey with trouble, the spring is dry, and the lover in the valley has lost her trust, signifying a world without hope.
But amidst all this, the chorus of the song brings some hope. There is a road to glory, though it is somehow heading towards the past. The road to glory is behind the mask, the treasure, and the gold. The song suggests that salvation lies in going back to the basics and seeking the truth beyond the materialistic world. The final stanza describes the arrival of a team of four white horses and a lady with night black hair, probably signifying a divine event or hope towards salvation. The line, "But is she really there?" adds an air of ambiguity, making the listeners wonder about the true nature of the divine intervention.
Line by Line Meaning
There's a card game in the courtyard, and the winner loses all.
A risky card game is being played where the winner loses everything.
When the judge checks his supper, its so small.
The judge's meal is pitifully small suggesting that times are tough with a shortage of food.
And the hills are grey with trouble and the dry spring gathers dust.
There is unrest in the hills due to harsh conditions including a drought.
Your lover's crying in the valley, she lost her trust.
Your sweetheart is crying and brokenhearted because of lost faith in you.
But there is a road to glory, somehow headin' in the past,
Despite the challenges, there is a path to success in the past.
Behind the gold, behind the treasure, behind the mask.
Success can be found behind the superficial distractions of wealth and facade.
Then comes a team of four white horses, and a lady with night black hair.
A woman with dark hair arrives with a team of four white horses.
And she looks to be such a fine one, but is she really there?
The woman who appears to be glamorous may not be real or trustworthy.
I've gotta knoooow owoo, I've gotta knooow owo, I've gotta know!
There is a strong desire to find out the truth and uncover the reality of the situation.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: RANDLE CHOWNING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Frank Ruse
A lot of songs on this LP tear me up because of their beauty and craftsmanship. Yep the did create thier own world on this one. And unfortunately don't make them like this any more..
Harry S. Anchan
Compare this to today's music. Need I say more?
Harry McKain
the entire album is completely awesome, one of the best ever -- in my humble opinion
Scott Peters
None better
Harry S. Anchan
TOTALLY agreed. Usually I don't like all songs on an album - not every album is an "Abbey Road". But, I have always listened to this one end-to-end every time. Every cut a true gem!
John Spiller
What a great song! Why doesn't anyone make music like this anymore?
John Spiller
@Jaynie Chowning I will. Thanks for the tip.
Jaynie Chowning
You should check out some of Randle's newer music.
Scott Peters
Because people don't understand good music anymore
John Spiller
@Regional/Unity Productions Sure does.