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.
Walkin
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
well, I'm walkin' down the road with my hat on my head
had to leave my mama in my big brass bed
well, sun is shinin' on me and you know it sure feels fine
Lord, I made it to the station with my suitcase in my hand
walked up to the window like a nat'ral born man
said I sure do hope that choo-choo train runs on time
Lord, I sure do hope that choo-choo train runs on time
well, these two dollar shoes, Lord, they hurt my feet,
but that fifty-cent liquor, well it could not be beat
and I see no reason, reason to be sad
'cause I'm goin' where them cold, cold winds don't blow
where the streams and rivers, Lord, they all run slow
ain't no use in cryin', cryin' over what you had
Lord, ain't no use in cryin', cryin over what you had
(NATIONAL STEEL SOLO)
(ahhh, ahhh)
well, I'm walkin' down the road with my hat on my head
had to leave my mama in my big brass bed
well, sun is shinin' on me
and you know it sure feels fine
Lord, I made it to the station with my suitcase in my hand
walked up to the window like a nat'ral born man
said I sure do hope that choo-choo train runs on time
(choo-choo, choo-choo
)
The lyrics to Ozark Mountain Daredevils' "Walkin" tell the story of a man walking down the road with his hat on his head, leaving his mother behind and headed to the train station. The sun is shining on him and he's feeling fine, despite the fact that his two-dollar shoes are hurting his feet. He's not sad though, even though he's leaving something behind. He's going to a place where the cold winds don't blow and the streams and rivers run slow. He sees no reason to cry over what he had, as he's moving forward to something better.
The lyrics are typical of the country/folk genre, telling the story of a journey and the feelings that come with it. The "choo-choo" refrain adds a sense of playfulness and childlike wonder to the song. The song's instrumentation includes guitar, piano, and a national steel solo, giving it a folksy, Americana feel.
Line by Line Meaning
well, I'm walkin' down the road with my hat on my head
I am wandering aimlessly on this path, wearing my hat to shield myself from the sun's brightness.
had to leave my mama in my big brass bed
I had to part from my mother, who was sleeping in her large metal bed.
well, sun is shinin' on me and you know it sure feels fine
The sun is out and illuminating everything around me, which brings a sense of contentment to me.
Lord, I made it to the station with my suitcase in my hand
I have finally reached my destination and carry my luggage with me.
walked up to the window like a nat'ral born man
I confidently approached the window like someone born to do it.
said I sure do hope that choo-choo train runs on time
I expressed my hope that the scheduled train arrives punctually.
well, these two dollar shoes, Lord, they hurt my feet,
The inexpensive shoes I'm wearing are causing discomfort to my feet.
but that fifty-cent liquor, well it could not be beat
On the bright side, the liquor I bought for fifty cents was an excellent purchase.
and I see no reason, reason to be sad
There's no justification for me to be unhappy about anything at the moment.
'cause I'm goin' where them cold, cold winds don't blow
I'm headed to a place where the chilly winds don't exist.
where the streams and rivers, Lord, they all run slow
In this place, the streams and rivers flow at a leisurely pace.
ain't no use in cryin', cryin' over what you had
It is futile to weep about things that have already passed and are out of my control.
Lord, ain't no use in cryin', cryin over what you had
I reiterate that there's no sense in grieving over the past.
well, I'm walkin' down the road with my hat on my head
I continue on this journey, still wearing my hat on my head.
had to leave my mama in my big brass bed
Once again, I had to leave my mother asleep in her prominent metal bed.
well, sun is shinin' on me and you know it sure feels fine
The sunlight is still shining and contributing to my sense of satisfaction.
Lord, I made it to the station with my suitcase in my hand
Once more, I have arrived at the station while carrying my baggage.
walked up to the window like a nat'ral born man
Again, I approached the window with a sense of self-assurance.
said I sure do hope that choo-choo train runs on time
I repeated my earlier desire to see the train arrive on time.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JOHN DILLON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justmep61
Smoking some weed in my sister's farmhouse in the '70s and listening to the Ozarks. Good times.
@WVFreebyrd
One of those hidden treasures the "masses" will never hear. Shame. But good for those of us who seek out good music vs. accepting what radio dishes out on a daily basis.
@brendamilloy2557
Amen.
@nickgugie9673
Pure and real which thankfully is actually making a comeback
@mrchildgrownold3852
10-4
@filowbetdo5772
A hidden gem. What a great tune!
@madeleinesuzette
Absolutely !!
@nelliejewell2665
Still get that great feeling when I hear this even after nearly 50 years.
@user-zy5qt9qx5h
I was the one that commented three months ago and I'll say it again I used to know a band that played this and they rocked
@musiccollector
Thanks, Herb Alpert and A&M Records, for bringing them to us.