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.
Polly Vaughn
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
For Polly's own true love he shot in the dark
But oh and alas Polly Vaughn was his mark.
For she'd her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan
Oh and alas it was she Polly Vaughn
Cried "Polly oh Polly have I killed thee"
He lifted up her head and saw that she was dead
And a fountain of tears for his true love he shed.
In the middle of the night Polly Vaughn did appear
Cried "Jimmy oh Jimmy you must have no fear;
Just tell them you were hunting when your trial day has come
And you won't be convicted for what you have done."
In the middle of the trial Polly Vaughn did appear
Crying "Uncle oh Uncle Jimmy Randall must go clear"
The lawyers and the judges stood around in a row
In the middle Polly Vaughn like some fountian of snow
For she'd her apron wrapped about her and they took her for a swan
Oh and alas it was she Polly Vaughn
Oh and alas it was she Polly Vaughn
The Dillards' song "Polly Vaughn" tells the tragic story of a young woman who is mistaken for a swan and accidentally shot by her own beloved. In the first verse, the song warns hunters to be careful when shooting at sunset, as Polly's true love inadvertently shot her when he mistook her for a swan. The second verse continues to recount the story of the tragedy, with the young man realizing his mistake and mourning Polly's death.
The third verse takes a supernatural turn, as Polly returns in ghostly form to help clear her lover's name. She tells him to tell the truth about their hunting trip and assures him he will not be convicted for what happened. In the final verse, Polly appears in court and asks that her lover be absolved of all guilt. The judges and lawyers are shocked by her appearance, and she is compared to a "fountain of snow."
The song is a haunting ballad that highlights the dangers of hunting and is also a love story with a supernatural twist. It showcases the storytelling and musical talents of The Dillards and has become a beloved folksong for many.
Line by Line Meaning
Now come all ye hunters who follow the gun
The song is a warning to all hunters to be cautious about their shooting after sunset.
Beware of your shooting at the setting of the sun
The song cautions hunters to be careful not to shoot blindly when the sun is setting.
For Polly's own true love he shot in the dark
The true love of Polly shot her in the dark while hunting.
But oh and alas Polly Vaughn was his mark.
Unfortunately, it was Polly whom he had mistaken for a different bird and accidentally shot.
For she'd her apron wrapped about her and he took her for a swan
Her apron wrapped around her body made her look like a swan, which the hunter mistakenly shot at.
Oh and alas it was she Polly Vaughn
It was very unfortunate that Polly was the one whom the hunter accidentally shot.
He ran up beside her and saw that it was she
When the hunter approached her, he realized that the one he shot was Polly.
Cried 'Polly oh Polly have I killed thee'
The hunter was shocked and upset when he realized that he had shot Polly.
He lifted up her head and saw that she was dead
When the hunter picked her up, he saw that she was already dead.
And a fountain of tears for his true love he shed.
The hunter was sorrowful and wept profusely for shooting his true love by accident.
In the middle of the night Polly Vaughn did appear
Polly's ghost appeared in the middle of the night as a symbol of the past events.
Cried 'Jimmy oh Jimmy you must have no fear;
Polly reassures her hunter-lover Jimmy that he should not fear prosecution for her death.
Just tell them you were hunting when your trial day has come
Polly advises Jimmy to claim that he was hunting when the judges inquire about her death during his testimony on trial day.
And you won't be convicted for what you have done.'
By following the advice given by Polly, Jimmy can avoid conviction for the accidental shooting of Polly.
In the middle of the trial Polly Vaughn did appear
During Jimmy's trial, Polly's ghost appears as a symbol of the guilt that Jimmy is feeling.
Crying 'Uncle oh Uncle Jimmy Randall must go clear'
The ghost of Polly speaks up for Jimmy, seeking pardon for him from Uncle Jimmy Randall.
The lawyers and the judges stood around in a row
The judges and the lawyers arranged themselves in a row to pass a verdict in Jimmy's trial.
In the middle Polly Vaughn like some fountain of snow
Polly's ghost was present at the trial, looking like a pure white snow fountain.
Oh and alas it was she Polly Vaughn
It was tragic that the person who was shot by Jimmy's accidental fire was Polly Vaughn.
Lyrics © LYNNE GREEN-MELINCOFF D/B/A HOFFMAN HOUSE MUSIC
Written by: RODNEY DILLARD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind