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.
Whippoorwill
Ozark Mountain Daredevils Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The rain is gone away
Somewhere in the margin
Are sheep that's gone astray
Like the old man of the ocean
Whose eyes tells where he's been
Or one who lacks devotion
The thief will surely die
When he's taken all he can steal
Oh whippoorwill
Are you high upon your hill
While my feet are on the ground
Oh whippoorwill
You make my heart stand still
When I hear your evening sound
I know you're sad, much deeper
Then my human ears can hear
You never had a keeper
Cause you live where no man's near
You call from out the timber
Like a chanter on a throne
Only to remember
The secret still unknown
And makes us to decide
Are we false or are we real
Oh whippoorwill
Are you high upon your hill
While my feet are on the ground
Oh whippoorwill
You make my heart stand still
When I hear your evening sound
When I hear your evening sound
When I hear your evening sound
The lyrics to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils' song "Whippoorwill" offer a meditation on the tension between the natural world and human emotion. The opening lines find the singer "fast asleep in the garden" and "somewhere in the margin are sheep that's gone astray," setting up a liminal space where the boundaries between man and nature break down. The comparison to "the old man of the ocean" highlights the ways in which the natural world can offer clues to human experience: like the man of the sea whose eyes give away his travels, nature can reveal hidden truths about the human heart. But the singer also acknowledges the danger of this kind of openness, with the image of someone who "lacks devotion / betrays his love again." The thief who takes all he can steal will ultimately face death.
Amidst these musings on human tendencies, the whippoorwill serves as an emblem of the natural world's mystery and power. The singer recognizes that the whippoorwill's "secret" is "still unknown," and that its sadness is "much deeper / than my human ears can hear." The bird's call from "out the timber" is likened to "a chanter on a throne," and the singer is left to ponder whether "we are false or are we real." As the chorus repeats, the whippoorwill's "evening sound" continues to captivate and move the singer. Ultimately, "Whippoorwill" is a poignant exploration of the ways in which human and natural worlds can intersect, and how the tumult of the human heart can be both echoed and soothed by the natural world's rhythms.
Line by Line Meaning
Fast asleep in the garden
The singer is in a state of relaxation and peace.
The rain is gone away
The weather has cleared up and is now pleasant.
Somewhere in the margin
In the outskirts or periphery of one's mind.
Are sheep that's gone astray
Thoughts or ideas that have become lost or forgotten.
Like the old man of the ocean
The artist is relating to the story of the ancient mariner who has been through many trials and tribulations.
Whose eyes tells where he's been
The old man's eyes are full of wisdom and life experience, telling a story of his journey.
Or one who lacks devotion
Someone who is uncommitted and unreliable.
Betrays his love again
Someone who has let their love down before and is likely to do so again.
The thief will surely die
Karma will eventually catch up to those who take advantage of others.
When he's taken all he can steal
Once the thief has exhausted all their resources, they will face consequences.
Oh whippoorwill
The singer is addressing the bird as a symbol of solitude and contemplation.
Are you high upon your hill
The bird seems to be in a position of unattainable peace.
While my feet are on the ground
The singer is envious of the bird's freedom and unencumbered existence.
You make my heart stand still
The bird's call evokes a deep emotional response in the singer.
When I hear your evening sound
The bird's song has a calming effect on the singer's mind.
I know you're sad, much deeper
The bird's sadness is profound and may be beyond human comprehension.
Then my human ears can hear
The bird's melancholy may be beyond the scope of human emotion.
You never had a keeper
The bird lives in solitude and has no one to hold it accountable or answer to.
Cause you live where no man's near
The bird's freedom comes from living in a remote and isolated area.
You call from out the timber
The bird's call is heard from the nearby woods, adding to its mysterious nature.
Like a chanter on a throne
The bird's song seems to be of a sacred or spiritual nature, powerful and regal.
Only to remember
The artist is struck by the bird's call and is in awe of its beauty.
The secret still unknown
There is a sense of mystery associated with the bird, as it is not fully understood by the singer.
And makes us to decide
The bird's call calls us to question our own values and morals.
Are we false or are we real
The bird's call brings us to confront our own authenticity and honesty.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Gary Jones
No doubt one of my favorite songs ever ! My sister bought me this album , Christmas 1975...
And I still have it.
Never get tired of this very special song. Awesome , beautiful song.
Alex Bennett
Have always loved this song from a great band who produced some really terrific music. Evocative, ethereal, full of wonder. Beautiful song.
TT Willow
LOVE this song....been playing it on my guitar and singing it since the album first came out. It takes me to a peaceful place.
Nate Blance
The ending note the singer hits is breath taking
Sue Walsh
40 years since I first heard this song.
Still hauntingly beautiful. ❤
JoyfulFocus
this song haunts me still. glad to hear it tonight.
whazinaname765
OMD was a very under-rated band.
Marv Merchants'82
Whole album is very good
Mark Langbein
You make my heart stand still 😎👍
Don Baisden
This song is pure genius.