The group was first formed at Langston University in Langston, Oklahoma, in 1934 by Elmaurice Miller, Traverse Crawford, Essie Joseph Adkins, and Otha Lee Gaines. In 1936, they moved to Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, where they worked under Frederick Hall under the names, New Orleans Quintet and Frederick Hall Quintet. Clinton Holland (soon replaced by Carl Jones) and Kelsey Pharr (replaced by Hugh Bryant in 1962) replaced Miller and Adkins. Rene DeKnight became their pianist.
The group appeared often in the 1940s on radio programs such as Amos and Andy and The Joan Davis Show, and performed on Broadway in the shows, Sing Out the News and Hot Mikado. They also appeared extensively in film, including in You'll Never Get Rich with Bing Crosby and Rita Hayworth. Aside from their own recordings, they served as background vocalists for Charlie Barnet, Mildred Bailey, Ella Fitzgerald, and Ruth Brown.
One of their most successful releases was a vocal version of the Glenn Miller instrumental hit "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Harlem" from 1941 with lyrics by Buddy Feyne and music by Glenn Miller Orchestra arranger and composer Jerry Gray, Ben Smith, and Leonard Ware.
Also memorable is their 1950s version of the spiritual song "Dem Bones", a hit record for them, and which they performed on television extensively, and is currently revived with at least two postings on You Tube.
In the 1950s, they began to amass a large fan base in Europe, particularly in Scandinavia. In 1956, the group relocated to Europe and performed there up until 1987, when Gaines and Bryant died.
In 1960, Kelsey Pharr died in Honolulu after a trip to Japan. Soon after, Carl Jones left to have more time with his family and was replaced by first tenor Herb Coleman. Hugh Bryant replaced Pharr.
With the American music scene changing rapidly, the Deltas found their appeal diminishing. Overseas, they were royally received, however, so in the early 1960s the group made Paris their home base for years of European performances.
In 1974, Herb Coleman was shot in Paris and died in the arms of Lee Gaines. Original Delta member, Traverse Crawford, died the following year. By 1979, the lineup was Gaines on bass, Bryant on baritone, Walter Trammell on first tenor, and Ray Beauty on second tenor. Lee Gaines died of cancer in Helsinki on July 15, 1987. At Gaines's funeral, Hugh Bryant collapsed while performing, and died, apparently from a heart attack.
The Delta Rhythm Boys were later inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame.
One of their most famous songs, Dry Bones, has an special appearance in the LucasArts graphic adventure Monkey Island 2: LeChuck's Revenge when two skeletons dance and sing the song.
The Delta Rhythm Boys version of "Alouette" is currently used in a commercial for Target.
Dry Bones
The Delta Rhythm Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
The foot bone's connected to the ankle bone
The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone
The leg bone's connected to the knee bone
The knee bone's connected to the thigh bone
The hip bone's connected to the back bone
The back bone's connected to the shoulder bone
The shoulder bone's connected to the neck bone
The neck bone's connected to the head bone
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
The head bone's connected to the neck bone
The neck bone's connected to the shoulder bone
The shoulder bone's connected to the back bone
The back bone's connected to the hip bone
The hip bone's connected to the thigh bone
The thigh bone's connected to the knee bone
The knee bone's connected to the leg bone
The leg bone's connected to the ankle bone
The ankle bone's connected to the foot bone
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
The song "Dry Bones" by The Delta Rhythm Boys is a rendition of a traditional African-American spiritual that originated in the Southern United States during the 19th century. The song is a reference to the resurrection of the dead in the biblical story of Ezekiel. The lyrics suggest that even though the bones were once dry and disconnected, with the power of God, Ezekiel was able to connect the bones once again, and they began to walk around. The song emphasizes the interconnectedness of human bones to each other and their reliance on one another.
The lyrics of "Dry Bones" have deep spiritual and metaphorical implications. The song conveys the message that with the power of God, anything can be brought back to life, even the dry bones. The song emphasizes the interconnectedness of human bones, signifying how every part of our body is essential and necessary for functioning. It suggests that we must take care of our bodies, both physically and spiritually, because all parts are interdependent, and the neglect of one part may lead to the demise of the whole.
Overall, "Dry Bones" is a profound song that carries religious and inspirational undertones, encouraging individuals to appreciate the interconnectedness of everything in the world and to trust in the power of God.
Line by Line Meaning
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel linked together the lifeless bones.
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
Listen to the divine message.
The foot bone's connected to the ankle bone
The piece of bone that makes up the foot is attached to the larger bone that forms the ankle.
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Those bones will be animated and able to move.
The head bone's connected to the neck bone
The bone that forms the head is connected to the bone that creates the neck.
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
Those bones will be animated and able to move.
Oh, hear the word of the Lord
Listen to the divine message.
Contributed by Callie E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@s111333777
3/17/2021.Still listening and i love it.
Ezekiel cried dem dry bones
Ezekiel cried dem dry bones
Ezekiel cried dem dry bones
Now I hear the word of the Lord
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Ezekiel connected dem dry bones
Now I hear the word of the Lord
Well, your toe bone connected to your foot bone
Your foot bone connected to your heel bone
Your heel bone connected to your ankle bone
Your ankle bone connected to your leg bone
Your leg bone connected to your knee bone
Your knee bone connected to your thigh bone
Your thigh bone connected to your hip bone
Your hip bone connected to your back bone
Your back bone connected to your shoulder bone
Your shoulder bone connected to your neck bone
Your neck bone connected to your head bone
I hear the word of the Lord!
A dem bones, dem bones gonna walk around
A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
A dem bones, dem bones, gonna walk around
I hear the word of the Lord!
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
Disconnect dem bones, dem dry bones
I hear the word of the Lord
Well, your head bone connected from your neck bone
Your neck bone connected from your shoulder bone
Your shoulder bone connected from your back bone
Your back bone connected from your hip bone
Your hip bone connected from your thigh bone
Your thigh bone connected from your knee bone
Your knee bone connected from your leg bone
Your leg bone connected from your ankle bone
Your ankle bone connected from your heel bone
Your heel bone connected from your foot bone
Your foot bone connected from your toe bone
I hear the word of the Lord, oh well
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
I hear the word of the Lord, mmh
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
A dem bones, dem bones, dem dry bones
Now I hear the word of the Lord
@buckylove6918
My dad is the one on the far right. He said they weren't allowed to do all of their songs that night because some were deemed "unsuitable for white audiences". I remember the whole quartet came over one Thanksgiving and sang several songs on the porch. The entire neighborhood ended up coming out to listen. It was a magical evening that I'll never forget.
@synergymedia2009
Bucky Love, what was your father’s name?
@charliedicanio3063
I am a huge fan of this group and music of this era born in the late nineties i dont like todays music
@charliedicanio3063
I got the album features qnd favorites of the delta rhythm boys on 45RPM this past christmas, its a good album.
@wolfedelasandia3109
That's so messed up! I wish we could change history. Glad they had a magical moment on Thanksgiving. They're really good!
@illuminaticake4528
@@synergymedia2009 the one on the far right is lee gaines
@TucsonRo
I had heard many different versions of Dry Bones, but IMHO, these guys are the ONLY ones who can really carry it off!
@tjh7591
That's my Dad the second from the left. They couldn't express more emotion because in that day they were under strict direction on what a black group could and could not do. Love the song though!
@PeeWeeEssex
T Henderson, they were/are awesome! I love them, and I have to hear more. So special that you have such nice video and audio of your dad. 🥰
@PeeWeeEssex
What year was this video made?