Jackson was the first to join the Grand Ole Opry before he got a recording contract. He signed to Columbia Records and debuted in 1958 with "Don't Be Angry." The song didn't score in the country music top 40, but it got him recognition.His breakthrough came in the country Top 40 in late 1958, with a song written by a young George Jones, "Life to Go." It peaked at #2 in early 1959 and his follow-up record, "Waterloo," was #1 for 5 weeks and crossed over into the Top 40 Pop charts, where it reached #4. His next #1 came in 1964, with "B.J. The D.J." (about an over-worked country music radio station DJ, who crashes his car in a rainstorm because of bad tires). Jackson was the first to record a live record from the Grand Ole Opry, in 1963 with "Old Showboat." Other classics include "The Carpet On The Floor," "Why I'm Walkin'," "A Wound Time Can't Erase" and "I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water." Jackson also recorded a cover of Lobo's 1971 hit, "Me and You and a Dog Named Boo."
From 1958 to 1971, Jackson had 35 Top 40 Country Hits. Along with Ray Price, Jackson is considered a cornerstone, after Hank Williams and Lefty Frizzell, in the hard-driving honky tonk sound in the late 50's and early 60's.
In 2006, Jackson sued the Grand Ole Opry for $10 million, claiming age discrimination. As a member of the Opry for over fifty years, Jackson believed that management was sidelining him in favor of younger artists. In his court filing, Jackson claimed that Grand Ole Opry general manager, Pete Fisher, stated that he didn't "want any gray hairs on that stage or in the audience, and before I'm done there won't be any." Fisher is also alleged to have told Jackson that he was "too old and too country."
Black Sheep
Stonewall Jackson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There lived a rich but aged man whose hair was turning gray
He had three sons three only ones both Jack and Tom were sly
But Ted was honest as could be he would not tell a lie
The brothers tried to ruin Ted before the old man's eyes
At last the plot begin its work till Ted was much despised
The father then said begone you're heartless to the core
Then the black's sheeps words they came just a ringing through the door
I know that I've been wayward but I won't be anymore
Just give me one more chance and put me to the test
You'll find the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest
Year by year sped quickly by the father now grown old
He called to them both Jack and Tom and gave them all his gold
I only need a little room a place at your fireside
One night on Jacks' returning home he brought with him a bride
The three began to hate the father more and more each day
At last he heard the three declare why the old fool's in our way
They then agreed to send him to the poorhouse that was near
Then like a flash the black sheep's words came ringing in his ear
A wagon drives up to the door it is the poorhouse band
The brothers pointed to their dad right there is your man
Then a manly form appeared came rushin' through the crowd
Stop this you brutes the lad replied it shall not be allowed
You took the old man's property and all that he could save
You've even sold the little lot containing mother's grave
I am his son but not your kin from now till judgement day
The father clasped the black sheep's hand and they all heard him say
Don't be angry with me son I know I drove you from my door
I know that I've been foolish lad I've repented o'er and o'er
I should have given you my gold for you have stood the test
I found the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest
The song Black Sheep by Stonewall Jackson tells the story of a family with three sons, one of whom is honest while the other two are sly. The two deceitful sons try to ruin the honest son's reputation before the father's eyes and succeed in making him much despised. The father then drives the honest son away from home, but he still holds a deep love for his father and asks for one more chance to prove himself. Over the years, the father grows old and calls all his sons to give them his gold. However, the two sly sons grow greedy and hateful towards their father even more and plan to send him to a poorhouse that's close by.
But then, the "black sheep" son, who was previously driven away by the father, appears in a "manly form" and stops the cruel plan. He tells his greedy brothers off, accusing them of taking all that the old man could save, even selling their mother's grave. He declares that he's the father's son but not their kin and that they won't be allowed to take their father away. The father realizes his mistake and apologizes to the black sheep son, acknowledging his foolishness and love for him, for he had stood the test of time and proven to be better than the rest.
The theme of the song is the unconditional love between a father and his son, the battle between good and evil, and the importance of staying true to oneself despite opposition. The black sheep son represents those who are outcast by their family or society and how, despite disapproval, they hold their values and prove to be better than others.
Line by Line Meaning
In a little country village not very far away
This story takes place in a small village nearby.
There lived a rich but aged man whose hair was turning gray
There was an old and wealthy man with graying hair.
He had three sons three only ones both Jack and Tom were sly
The man had three sons, Jack, Tom, and Ted. Jack and Tom were cunning and deceitful.
But Ted was honest as could be he would not tell a lie
Unlike his brothers, Ted was truthful and virtuous.
The brothers tried to ruin Ted before the old man's eyes
The siblings attempted to discredit Ted in front of their father.
At last the plot begin its work till Ted was much despised
Their scheme worked, and Ted was scorned by their father.
The father then said begone you're heartless to the core
The father disowned Ted, calling him cruel and unfeeling.
Then the black's sheeps words they came just a ringing through the door
After being cast out, Ted spoke up and made his heartfelt plea to his father from outside the house.
Don't be angry with me dad don't drive me from your door
Ted begged his father to not be angry and to let him return home.
I know that I've been wayward but I won't be anymore
Ted acknowledges that he made mistakes but promises to change his ways.
Just give me one more chance and put me to the test
Ted asks for another chance to prove himself to his father.
You'll find the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest
Ted claims that despite being the black sheep of the family, he loves his father more than his brothers.
Year by year sped quickly by the father now grown old
As time passed, the father grew older.
He called to them both Jack and Tom and gave them all his gold
The father called his two conniving sons and gave them his fortune.
I only need a little room a place at your fireside
Ted, however, only asked for a modest place in his brothers' home.
One night on Jacks' returning home he brought with him a bride
One evening, Jack arrived home with his new wife.
The three began to hate the father more and more each day
The brothers' animosity towards their father grew more intense each day.
At last he heard the three declare why the old fool's in our way
Eventually, the brothers vocalized their resentment towards their father to his face.
They then agreed to send him to the poorhouse that was near
The brothers agreed to send their father to the nearby poorhouse.
Then like a flash the black sheep's words came ringing in his ear
As their plan was set into motion, Ted's words echoed in their father's mind.
A wagon drives up to the door it is the poorhouse band
The poorhouse wagon arrived at their home.
The brothers pointed to their dad right there is your man
The brothers identified their father to the poorhouse workers.
Then a manly form appeared came rushin' through the crowd
Suddenly, a strong figure emerged from the throngs of people.
Stop this you brutes the lad replied it shall not be allowed
It was Ted, who furiously protested against his brothers' actions.
You took the old man's property and all that he could save
Ted accused his brothers of taking advantage of their father and his wealth.
You've even sold the little lot containing mother's grave
Ted revealed that his brothers sold their mother's grave plot for money.
I am his son but not your kin from now till judgement day
Ted claimed his rightful place as the old man's son, but not their brother.
The father clasped the black sheep's hand and they all heard him say
The father embraced Ted and praised him for his bravery.
Don't be angry with me son I know I drove you from my door
The father apologised to Ted for his previous actions.
I know that I've been foolish lad I've repented o'er and o'er
The father acknowledged his mistakes and regretted them.
I should have given you my gold for you have stood the test
The father realized that he should have trusted Ted with his wealth all along.
I found the black sheep loves his dad for better than the rest
The father discovered that Ted loved him more than his other sons, despite being considered a black sheep.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: JOHN RUTTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@mauriceerickson991
I love Stonewall Jackson's songs and singing
@gchamp73
THIS BRINGS BACK A LOT OF GREAT MEMORRIES,THANK YOU
@gmpace
Brings back some precious memories. My Mother sang this song to us as kids and as young teens . I will always treasure this song.
@6Broncobones7
Always shed a tear when this plays... I was the Black Sheep... I was there... Thinking of my Dad...
@hdwarrior8830
Didn't really understand this song when I was little, now it tears me to pieces.
@1lenny
Another great one by Stonewall.Thanks for this one.
@crow672008
Great song by a great legend of country music.
@reealitychick
Stonewall was so popular in my family and Black Sheep was the song we all loved and cried too.. My dad was a Country man music lover and he raised as on it as well // we stuck R&R in our hearts later.. BUT C&W still reigns even to the grandchildren they will play some songs that they use to listen to on the 8 Trak.. while driving in the Van on roadtrips.. God Bless Grandparents and Thank you;.. for the music and songs are with us many many years later.
@BorzTrucking
I can still picture my dad sitting at the kitchen table playing this song.
@Kigsgrama
Thank you. Takes me back to when I was a kid. Great song