Mary Frances Penick was born on December 30, 1931 in the small Appalachian town of Dry Ridge, Kentucky. As a child, her grandfather nicknamed her "Skeeter" because she was always active and buzzing around like a mosquito. She got her start in music as part of the duo, The Davis Sisters, along with childhood friend, Betty Jack Davis. Thus, Skeeter Davis was born to the rest of the world.
The Davis Sisters sang in the local Lexington, Kentucky area and appeared on local radio WLAX in 1949. From there, they earned radio and television appearances in Detroit, Cincinnati and Wheeling, WV, where they were part of the WWVA Wheeling Jamboree.
In 1952, Skeeter and Betty Jack recorded for Fortune, but won a recording contract with RCA the following year and achieved their first chart success. "I Forgot More Than You'll Ever Know" went to number one on the U.S. country chart and number eighteen on the U.S. pop chart.
Sadly, on August 23, 1953, Skeeter and Betty Jack were involved in a serious car accident in which Betty Jack died and Skeeter was critically injured. It took Skeeter more than a year to recover both physically and mentally. With great difficulty and a lot of persuasion, Skeeter returned to singing with Betty Jack's sister, Georgia Davis, to briefly resume the Davis Sisters' act. But, within a year, the duo broke up and Skeeter pursued a solo career.
She continued to record on the RCA label where she worked with Eddy Arnold and Elvis Presley. In 1955, she toured for RCA on the Caravan of the Stars. Davis teamed up with producer, Chet Atkins and scored her first solo country chart hit in 1958 with "Lost To A Geisha Girl." This was during a time when the female acts were surging forward with "response" songs to some of the biggest hits by male artists. As Kitty Wells had answered Hank Thompson's "Honky Tonk Angels," with "It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels" in 1952, Skeeter Davis put out this answer to Hank Locklin's "Geisha Girl."
A few years later, Davis recorded another answer to a Hank Locklin song and gained another huge hit. Locklin sang "Please Help Me I'm Falling" and Davis' response was, "I Can't Help You, I'm Falling Too."
In 1959, Davis achieved one of her greatest ambitions when she moved to Nashville and became a regular member of the Grand Ole Opry. In 1960, she married WSM personality, Ralph Emery, but the tumultuous marriage ended in 1964.
During the 1960's, Davis was one of RCA's most successful country artists. She harvested 26 U.S. country hits, 12 of which crossed over to the U.S. pop charts. Among these was what was to become her trademark song, the million-selling record "The End Of The World" which peaked at number two in both the U.S. country and pop charts in 1963. She also earned her only UK chart presence with "The End Of The World" which topped out at number eighteen in only thirteen weeks on the chart.
Davis has also acheived songwriting success. Her co-written song "Set Him Free" became her first country Top 10 hit in 1959. She also co-wrote "My Last Date" with Boudleaux Bryant and Floyd Cramer. Cramer, famed pianist and member of the original A-team, recorded it as an instrumental solo and had a million-selling record on it in 1960.
During the 60's and 70's, Davis toured extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe and Far East. Her solo career started to wane in the 70's, but she still had several more hits such as "Bus Fare To Kentucky," "I'm A Lover, Not A Fighter," and "One Tin Soldier." Her duets with Bobby Bare, George Hamilton IV, and The Bee Gees gave her a few more hits, but by the mid-70's, Davis was reaching the end of her illustrious career. She ended her twenty-two year relationship with RCA in 1974 and charted her last hit for Mercury in 1976 with "I Love Us."
In 1967, Davis recorded a tribute album to Buddy Holly, which featured Waylon Jennings on the guitar. Later in 1972, she also did a tribute album to her friend, Dolly Parton. In 1985, she re-recorded an old Davis Sisters' hit, "May You Never Be Alone," with the group NRBQ. She married Joey Spampanito of NRBQ, but this marriage ultimately ended in divorce as well.
In 1973, Davis was dropped from the Grand Ole Opry's roster due to her strong criticisms of the Nashville Police Department during one of her performances. Her membership was later reinstated.
Davis has also taken to writing about her real life experiences. Her autobiography, "Bus Fare To Kentucky," was published in 1993. Davis pulls no punches in this brutally honest account of her life. She tells how she endured a family history of alcoholism, incest and murder. She also tells her side of the story regarding her four year marriage to Ralph Emery, following the heavy criticism which she received in Emery's autobiography. In 1997, she co-wrote a children's Christmas book, entitled "The Christmas Note," based on her own childhood.
Skeeter Davis passed away September 19th 2004 after a long battle with cancer.
Written by Sherry Anderson. June 2001
* Article appears courtesy of www.countrypolitan.com
Do You Know My Jesus?
Skeeter Davis Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tending a load of care
Are you a soul that's seeking rest
From the burden you bear?
Do you know my Jesus
Do you know my friend
Have you heard he loves you
--- Instrumental ---
Who knows your disappointments
Who hears each time you cry
Who understands your heartaches
Who drys the tears from your eyes.
Do you know my Jesus
Do you know my friend
Have you heard he loves you
And that he will abide till the end?
Have you heard he loves you
And that he will abide till the end?...
The song "Do You Know My Jesus?" by Skeeter Davis is a contemplative piece that focuses on seeking comfort and solace from Jesus. The lyrics imply a sense of weariness and burden that is felt by the song's protagonist. The opening verse poses the question whether the listener has a "heart that's weary" and "soul that's seeking rest" from the weight of their troubles.
The chorus of the song asks whether the listener knows Jesus and is familiar with his love and support. It suggests that Jesus is a friend who is capable of understanding and caring for those who are struggling. The second verse builds on this theme of understanding, asking who else knows the listener's disappointments, hears their cries, and understands their heartaches.
Overall, the lyrics of "Do You Know My Jesus?" offer a message of hope and comfort in the face of hardship. The song encourages listeners to seek out the support and love of Jesus, who is portrayed as a compassionate and understanding friend.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you a heart that's weary
Do you have a heart that's exhausted and burdened?
Tending a load of care
Are you constantly taking care of your worries?
Are you a soul that's seeking rest
Do you long for peace of mind?
From the burden you bear?
Are you looking for a way to escape from your troubles?
Do you know my Jesus
Have you encountered my friend - Jesus?
Do you know my friend
Are you familiar with my friend - Jesus?
Have you heard he loves you
Do you know that he cares for you?
And that he will abide till the end?
And that he will always be there for you?
Who knows your disappointments
Who truly understands your letdowns?
Who hears each time you cry
Who listens to your tears and agony?
Who understands your heartaches
Who gets the pain you have to feel?
Who drys the tears from your eyes.
Who helps you wipe your tears and holds you close?
Have you heard he loves you
Do you know that he cares for you?
And that he will abide till the end?
And that he will always be there for you?
Have you heard he loves you
Do you know that he cares for you?
And that he will abide till the end?
And that he will always be there for you?
Contributed by Stella C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@hernantotedjamertadiwangsa5647
Have you a heart that's weary
Tending a load of care?
Are you a soul that's seeking
Rest from the burden you bear?
Do you know (Do you know) my Jesus?
Do you know (Do you know) my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
Who knows your disappointments?
Who hears each time you cry?
Who understands your heartaches?
Who dries the tears from your eyes?
Do you know (Do you know) my Jesus?
Do you know (Do you know) my Friend?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
Have you heard He loves you?
And that He will abide 'til the end?
Terjemahkan ke bahasa Indonesia
@nordiamaxwell4167
My mother could recite these songs like a poem. These songs are so comforting and soothing. Oh bless the Lord oh my soul. A sweet melody to thd soul. Jesus is indeed a friend to the friendless.
@sylviaadisa3657
I still sing them in the highest notes..
@barbieburton1665
I just love Skeeter Davis and her beautiful voice. I remember listening to her when I was a young girl, Iβm now 68 and still love listening to her.
@orianaholley1502
This song brought back so many memories. As a child I always love her songs.
@elainesmith189
Thank u jesus for the love that u have for me u have given me a free salvation
@norbertservarioschannel9106
I love this song...god blss you all...ππππ€βͺβͺπΉ
@savitrinarine428
These songs means a whole lot to me from since back home n they never gets old , her voice is amazing n very touching
@sidnesbitt3734
Yes what a beautifull song from Skeeter Davis, Jesus loves you too and Will abide to the end .
Amen . GOD Bless .
@timmusumba5846
What a lovely song from Skeeter Davis..... Memories are made of this when my dad used to play this album of Skeeter Davis in the 1984s and on wards when i was in std 1!
@collette333
THANK YOU MANBEHINDTHESCREEN1 FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL SONG ABOUT OUR SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST