Simpson was born in Jackson, Breathitt County, Kentucky, the only child of a secretary and a state policeman who formerly worked undercover narcotics. Due to his father's work, Simpson's family moved to Versailles, outside Lexington, where Simpson graduated from Woodford County High School. Simpson's mother's family were coal miners. Simpson is the first male on his mother's side of the family to not work in a strip mine or deep mine. After three years in the United States Navy, Simpson spent time in Japan, then lived in Everett, Washington, and then moved back home to Lexington, Kentucky.
As of August 2017, he has released three albums as a solo artist. He released two albums independently, High Top Mountain in 2013 and Metamodern Sounds in Country Music in 2014. His second album is notable for being nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Americana Album, being listed 18th on Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2014," and also being named among "NPR's 50 Favorite Albums of 2014." His third studio album, A Sailor's Guide to Earth, was released on Atlantic Records and was Simpson's first major-label release, later earning him Best Country Album at the 59th Grammy Awards while also being nominated for Album of the Year.
Simpson is often compared to Waylon Jennings and the Outlaw Country genre of country music. Shooter Jennings says, "Sturgill isn't imitating at all, and he sounds like my favorite era of my dad, the Seventies, when he would sing quieter and more conversational. That's what struck me about Sturgill from Day One. And still does." Simpson himself counts Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Keith Whitley, and Marty Robbins as much bigger influences on his sound than Waylon Jennings. Simpson has also stated he tries to base his career around that of Dwight Yoakam. Indeed, Country Music Television noted that Simpson had "a voice that recalls Merle Haggard [and] guitar licks that bring Buck Owens to mind." His overall sound was described by Indiewire as "a mesmerizing and sometimes bewildering mix of traditional country sounds, contemporary philosophy, and psychedelic recording-studio wizardry.
One in the Saddle One on the Ground
Sturgill Simpson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He knew then and there that she was the one
She gave him a love every man knows is needed
She gave him a daughter, she gave him a son
One day while Juanita was out in the garden
A bandit rode up without making a sound
Dood was working the plow far away from his rifle
Last thing he remembered was Juanita screaming
As the world faded black and Dood crumpled down
When he came to the bandit was nowhere to be seen
His true love Juanita, nowhere to be found
A man and his rifle, a mule, and his hound
One in the saddle, one on the ground
Saw the ball had passed through
Clean as a church fold
And the wounds washed up by Sam, his old hound
So he saddled up Shamrock and powdered his rifle
And put on his old hat, worn, weathered and brown
Told his son to stay strong
Take care of his sister
'Til daddy returned, with mama safe and sound
Then they set out together to go find Juanita
Old Dood in the saddle, and Sam on the ground
Vowing never to stop 'til Juanita was found
A man and his rifle, a mule, and his hound
One in the saddle, one on the ground
One in the saddle, one on the ground
The song "One in the Saddle One on the Ground" by Sturgill Simpson is a tale of love, loss, and perseverance. The song tells the story of Dood, a man who falls in love with Juanita at first sight. Their love brings them two children, but tragedy strikes when a bandit attacks and takes Juanita. Dood is left alone to care for his children and he vows to find Juanita no matter what. With his rifle, his mule, and his hound, Dood sets out to find his true love and bring her back home.
The song is a classic Western narrative, but it also has a deeper, more metaphorical meaning. Dood's search for Juanita, and his commitment to never stop searching, represents the unyielding tenacity and determination of the human spirit. Even in the face of hardship and tragedy, Dood and his family refuse to give up hope and continue to fight for what they love.
Line by Line Meaning
First time ol' Dood laid eyes on Juanita
The moment Dood saw Juanita for the first time.
He knew then and there that she was the one
Dood realised that Juanita is the one for him when he first saw her.
She gave him a love every man knows is needed
Juanita gave Dood the love that every man needs.
She gave him a daughter, she gave him a son
Juanita blessed Dood with a son and a daughter.
One day while Juanita was out in the garden
During one day while Juanita was out in her garden.
A bandit rode up without making a sound
A bandit arrived near Juanita quietly.
Dood was working the plow far away from his rifle
Dood was working away from his rifle while plowing.
Tried to get to it, but the bandit drew down
Dood tried to reach his rifle, but the bandit drew on him.
Last thing he remembered was Juanita screaming
Juanita's scream was the last thing Dood remembered.
As the world faded black and Dood crumpled down
Dood fell to the ground as the world turned black.
When he came to the bandit was nowhere to be seen
When Dood regained consciousness, the bandit was gone.
His true love Juanita, nowhere to be found
Once Dood was awake, Juanita was not around, and he misses her so much.
A man and his rifle, a mule, and his hound
A man, his rifle, his mule, and his hound.
One in the saddle, one on the ground
The man is on the saddle, and his hound is by his side on the ground.
Saw the ball had passed through
Dood observed that the bullet passed through him.
Clean as a church fold
The wound is spotless and clean.
And the wounds washed up by Sam, his old hound
Dood's hound, Sam, licked and cleaned his wounds.
So he saddled up Shamrock and powdered his rifle
Dood prepared his rifle and Shamrock, his mule.
And put on his old hat, worn, weathered and brown
He put on his old, brown hat that is worn out and has weather conditions.
Told his son to stay strong
Dood advised his son to be strong while he was away.
Take care of his sister
Dood instructed his son to take good care of his sister.
‘Til daddy returned, with mama safe and sound
Dood promised to come back with Juanita, safe and sound.
Then they set out together to go find Juanita
Dood and his son left together to find Juanita.
Old Dood in the saddle, and Sam on the ground
Dood is on the saddle, and Sam is by his side on the ground.
Vowing never to stop 'til Juanita was found
Dood promised to tirelessly search for Juanita.
A man and his rifle, a mule, and his hound
A man, his rifle, his mule, and his hound.
One in the saddle, one on the ground
The man is on the saddle, and his hound is by his side on the ground.
One in the saddle, one on the ground
The man is on the saddle, and his hound is by his side on the ground.
Lyrics © Wixen Music Publishing
Written by: John Sturgill Simpson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind