The Charioteers was an American gospel and pop vocal group from 1930 to 195… Read Full Bio ↴The Charioteers was an American gospel and pop vocal group from 1930 to 1957.

Gospel purists may feel that what was done to the Charioteers is something like trying to turn a chariot into a Corvette. The black gospel group, newly transformed into a vocal pop group by enterprising record company executives, failed to turn the desired commercial quarter with the momentum of the Ink Spots. An early vehicle for lead tenor Billy Williams, who would have an even more successful career on his own, the Charioteers left behind a respectable recorded legacy nonetheless in both the gospel and pop genres. The group was first formed in Ohio in 1930, and by 1937 had settled into a vocal lineup of Williams, second tenor Ed Jackson, baritone Ira Williams, and bass Howard Daniels, with piano accompanist Jimmy Sherman. Opportunities to record began after the group vanquished all contenders in a Ohio quartet contest in 1934, most notably getting a chance to cut a pair of songs for Decca that was part of the contest prize. Vocalion began actually paying the group to record several years later, resulting in a fine collection of black gospel material including jubilees, spirituals, and folk tunes such as "Wade in the Water" and "Ezekiel Saw de Wheel." The Charioteers continued in this direction until signing a contract with Columbia in 1940.

The mega-label that would later tell Bob Dylan to ditch the Christian music or take a hike needed a commercial rival for the Ink Spots, who at that time were under contract to Decca. In terms of this rivalry, Williams and his group wound up like some of the chariots with shattered wheels in the climactic scenes of Ben Hur. Fortunately, however, this was the music business and not a Roman chariot race, with enjoyable victories to be savored by participants throughout the race. For the Charioteers, these began with the group's 1940 recording of Russ Morgan's song "So Long" and continued through six more chart hits. The group was also heard on the radio backing other vocal stars, including Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra. In comparison, the Ink Spots had some 36 hits during the same time period and was the first name on the list for studio backup singing.

The Charioteers appeared regularly on network radio, most notably Crosby's show. The group also made appearances in motion pictures and toured in the musical revue Hellzapoppin'. "On the Boardwalk in Atlantic City" was a hit record for the group in 1946. "Open the Door, Richard" was such a smash novelty song the following year that six different artists had versions on the charts, including the Charioteers. Which only makes sense, since if anything could open a door, a chariot could. In the '50s Williams literally left the group behind. He had an opportunity to present a vocal group on the television program Sid Caesar's Your Show of Shows, but the producers insisted the the Charioteers were too old and demanded Williams hitch up a more modern form of musical transportation. The Billy Williams Quartet was thus launched, and the Charioteers ground on with new lead singer Herbert Dickerson. There were no more hits, and a steadily diminishing presence on-stage until the group called it quits in 1957. Williams, who was the first live guest on the American Bandstand show, died in Chicago in the early '70s.

Dinah
The Charioteers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Carolina
Gave me Dinah;
I'm the proudest one
Beneath the Dixie sun.

News is spreadin'
'Bout our weddin';
I hear church bells ringin',

Here's the song my heart keeps singin':

Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!

Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!

Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!

But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,
I would hop an ocean liner,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!

Dinah,
Is there anyone finer
In the state of Carolina?
If there is and you know her,
Show her!

Dinah,
With her Dixie eyes blazin',
How I love to sit and gaze in
To the eyes of Dinah Lee!

Yet, every night,
My, how I shake with fright,
Because my Dinah might,
Change her mind about me!

But if Dinah,
Ever wandered to China,

I would hop an ocean!,
Just to be with Dinah Lee!

Overall Meaning

The Charioteers’ song "Dinah" is a joyful ode to love, with the singer stating that he is the proudest he has ever been since meeting Dinah. The lyrics of the song revolve around his love for Dinah and his desire to be with her. He expresses how he is constantly worried that she might change her mind about him, but that he would still follow her across the ocean to be with her. The song is essentially a declaration of love from the singer to Dinah.

The lyrics are straightforward, with the singer praising Dinah's beauty and character, with her “Dixie eyes blazin’” and her being the finest woman in Carolina. The singer is so in love with Dinah that he cannot help but gaze into her eyes, expressing just how enamored he is with her. All of these aspects of Dinah come together to make her the perfect partner for the singer.

The song is upbeat and joyful, with a catchy tune that makes it easy to sing along to. The Charioteers’ harmonies are also a standout feature of the song, adding to its overall charm.

Line by Line Meaning

Carolina
The state gave me Dinah

Gave me Dinah;
Dinah is my beloved

I'm the proudest one
I am extremely proud

Beneath the Dixie sun.
Under the southern sun

News is spreadin'
Rumors are going around

'Bout our weddin';
About our upcoming wedding

I hear church bells ringin',
I can hear the wedding bells

Here's the song my heart keeps singin':
This is the song I constantly sing in my heart

Dinah,
My beloved Dinah

Is there anyone finer
Is there anyone more beautiful

In the state of Carolina?
In the state where we live?