Though The Dillards were already an established bluegrass band, their biggest claim to fame is performing musically as members of the fictional Darling family on The Andy Griffith Show, introducing bluegrass to many Americans who had never heard it. This was a recurring role and the Dillards were led by veteran character actor Denver Pyle as their father and jug player, Briscoe Darling. Maggie Peterson played Charlene Darling, their sister and the focus for the attentions of character Ernest T. Bass, played by Howard Morris. The appearances of the Dillards as the Darlings ran between 1963 and 1966. In 1986, the Dillards reprised the role in the reunion show Return to Mayberry. As part of their current tour, Rodney Dillard answers questions about the TV series. He says the songs such as "Dooley" are about people the family knew.
On the October 1963 episode "Briscoe Declares for Aunt Bee", the Dillards performed the first wide scale airing of the 1955 Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith composition Feudin' Banjos (Dueling Banjos).
According to Jim Clark of The Andy Griffith Show Rerun Watchers Club, three albums have been produced with songs performed on the show. Clark says Songs That Make Me Cry is the only one currently available with real performances and has the three songs which included Maggie Peterson, who played Charlene. Back Porch Bluegrass: Live Almost includes five songs that were sung on the show, and Rodney Dillard released another album with the real performances of other songs.
The Dillards are notable for being among the first bluegrass groups to have electrified their instruments in the mid-1960s. They are considered to be one of the pioneers of the burgeoning southern California folk rock, country rock and progressive bluegrass genres, and are known to have directly or indirectly influenced artists such as The Eagles, The Byrds, and Elton John. In 1972, The Dillards joined Elton John on his first American tour. John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin has also acknowledged their influence, particularly in his decision to play the mandolin.
Rodney Dillard is a founding member of The Dillards - the group he formed with his brother, Douglas Dillard in the late 1950s. Credited throughout the years as the driving force behind the group's musical direction, success, and phenomenal longevity as a working act. Today, Dillard's musical duties include lead and harmony vocals, guitar, and dobro.
Beverly Cotten-Dillard is a native of Morrisville, North Carolina who performed with Janette Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Tommy Jarrell, and Doc and Merle Watson. She has appeared on Hee Haw and the Disney Channel and at Carnegie Hall. Cotten-Dillard is recognized as an authority on the traditional "clawhammer" banjo technique and is a featured member of The Dillards live shows. Her 1981 album Clog-In 'is considered an American folk classic."
George Giddens is a classically trained musician who is an awarded fiddler and mandolin player for the band.
Gary J. Smith was added to the lineup, having recorded double bass in the 2015 studio sessions for the new Dillards album. Smith is well known in Nashville circles after stints with Tom T. Hall, The Brother Boys, Ed Snodderly, and his long-time collaborator, Jeff Gilkinson.
Former member, Dean Webb, died at the age of 81, on June 30, 2018.
Man of Constant Sorrow
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I′ve seen troubles all my day
I bid farewell to old Missouri
The place where I was born and raised
Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
My face, you never will see no more
But there′s one promise that is given
The Dillards's Man of Constant Sorrow is a traditional American folk song that tells the story of hard times and loss. The singer sings about the struggles he has faced throughout his life and how he is forced to leave behind his home in Missouri. The repetition of the line "I am a man of constant sorrow" emphasizes the singer's feelings of hopelessness, despair, and endless misfortune.
The second verse suggests that the singer may have been a troubled individual who was not well-known by others. Despite this, he promises to meet someone on "God's golden shore." This line may have a religious connotation to it, suggesting that the singer longs for a better place beyond this world. Alternatively, it could also mean that the singer is talking about his own death and the afterlife.
Man of Constant Sorrow has been widely covered, including by Bob Dylan and even featured in the film O Brother, Where Art Thou? The song speaks to the experience of hardship, loss, and longing for a better life beyond the struggles of the day. It remains an important part of American folk culture and carries with it a sense of nostalgia for a bygone era.
Line by Line Meaning
I am a man of constant sorrow
I am a troubled man who constantly faces difficulties in life.
I've seen troubles all my day
Throughout my life, I have faced many challenges and hardships.
I bid farewell to old Missouri
I say goodbye to the place I was born and raised, Missouri.
The place where I was born and raised
Missouri is the place where I grew up.
Maybe your friends think I'm just a stranger
Although your friends may not know me well, I am not a complete stranger.
My face, you never will see no more
We will no longer see each other face-to-face.
But there's one promise that is given
There is a promise that I make to you.
I'll meet you on God's golden shore
I will meet you in heaven, where there is eternal happiness and peace.
Contributed by Tyler E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@rayberger2694
Don't play that one Paw, You know it makes me cry.
@DennisJohnsonDrummer
"You got time to breathe, you got time for music." - Brisco Darlin
@billbutler2452
Watching the Darlings / Dillards on Andy Griffin was always a major treat. Hillbilly Bluegrass was so marvelous, never could understand why there wasn't more available. Back in the late 60s (I graduated High School in '71) a great cheap date was hamburgers at Bob's Big Boy by P.C.C. on Colorado Blvd. then maybe 6 blocks down in an alley behind the Academy movie theater was a great nite club, 'The Icehouse' Really was an ancient brick ice house, remodeled into this slick night club, 3 acts $5 / head, order 2 cokes and 1 slice of pizza to split with your date. Always had great acts, and much to my amazement, I got to enjoy the Dillards several times. Always laughed at Rodney's signature gag, playing a huge harmonica, then a smaller one, and so on, finally spitting out a teensy little harmonica for his final tune. Have always appreciated & enjoyed the Dillards.
@dh728
The Ice House is still there. I haven't been in a long time so I'm not sure they're still doing shows. Bob's Big Boy is long gone of course, sadly. Used to go to the one in Tucson as a kid.
@chasbodaniels1744
@Bill Butler That’s awesome! Those few years (1966-1975 +/-) saw an explosion of great music spanning the gap between country, rock and bluegrass.
I wonder if you crossed paths in the Ice House with future musicians? I can imagine a future Byrd or Burrito Brother catching a set there.
@Deafpeaches
Saw the Dillards every night, every time they played the Ice House in the '60s. Afterwards, we used to go to Randy Cierly's house in Glendale and jam until the wee hours. I used to stand next to Doug Dillard at the jams and watch him intently. He would show me a new lick every night. All the Dillards were fine people and good friends.
@brianmccarthy5557
I remember the Ice House from the middle 1970's. I had a college roommate who wanted to be a rock star. They had an open mike night and every wannabe and aspiring musician could sign up and get a shot at being noticed. I was brought along to be a supporting audience. The food was cheap enough for even starving students to afford and there were girls there. I hope it's still around.
@LondonFogg
Hey Bill I graduated in '71 too.
Western Pa. Those were the days, the best of everything in music.
@davebrokenshire1086
I've heard Bob Dylan sing this, I've heard Rod Stewart sing this, hell, I've even heard the Soggy Bottom Boys sing this, but now it seems I've found the motherload.
@johnmettler995
Unbelievable harmony. Tight, concise, exact. These boys got it! Hot diggity.