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.
Rainin' Here This Mornin'
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
At exactly the wrong time
I looked right at the facts there, but I may as well have
Been completely blind
So, if you see me walking all alone
Don't look back, I'm just on my way back home
There's a train leaves here this morning, and
I don't know, what I might be on
She signed me to a contract, baby said it would
All be so life long
I looked around then for a reason
When there wasn't something more to blame it on
But, if time makes a difference while we're gone
Tell me now, and I won't be hanging on
There's a train leaves here this morning
And I don't know, what I might be on
Ooo, ooo, ooo
1320 North Columbus was the address
That I wrote down on my sleeve
I don't know just what she wanted
Might have been that it was getting time to leave
And I watched as the smoker passed it on
And I laughed when the joker said, "Lead on."
Cause there's a train leaves here this morning
And I don't know, what I might be on
And there's train leaves here this morning
And I don't know, what I might be on
The Dillards’ song “Rainin' Here This Mornin’” tells a story about a guy who finds himself in a difficult situation because of his wrong choices. In the opening lines, he realizes that he lost because he was at the right place at the wrong time. He acknowledges that he knew the facts, but he ignored them and walked blindly into a trap that cost him ten points. The singer knows that he is alone, heading back home and can't change the past. He is looking for a way out, but he is not sure where he stands. He is uncertain about what he will do next, and he is contemplating catching the next train out of town.
The song's central theme is that of uncertainty and regret, a situation that many people can relate to. We have all made choices in our lives that we regret or that did not turn out the way we expected. The singer in the song is in the same position - he has made a mistake and is unsure of what to do next, where to go or what the future holds. The chorus emphasizes the idea that a train is leaving, and he is not sure what he will be on - this can be interpreted to mean that he is not sure what the future holds for him.
Line by Line Meaning
I lost ten points just for being in the right place
I got penalized even though I did nothing wrong
At exactly the wrong time
It was just unfortunate timing
I looked right at the facts there, but I may as well have
I knew what was happening but it didn't make a difference
Been completely blind
I was oblivious to the obvious
So, if you see me walking all alone
I'm just on a solo journey
Don't look back, I'm just on my way back home
I'm headed towards my comfort zone
There's a train leaves here this morning, and
A train is departing soon
I don't know, what I might be on
I haven't decided whether I'll be on that train or not
She signed me to a contract, baby said it would
I signed a deal thinking it would be long-lasting
All be so life long
It was supposed to be a lifelong commitment
I looked around then for a reason
I searched for a justification
When there wasn't something more to blame it on
When I couldn't find a scapegoat
But, if time makes a difference while we're gone
If time will change things when we're not around
Tell me now, and I won't be hanging on
Let me know the truth now so I can move on
There's a train leaves here this morning
A train is departing soon
And I don't know, what I might be on
I haven't decided whether to board that train or not
1320 North Columbus was the address
I wrote this address on my sleeve
That I wrote down on my sleeve
It was a reminder to myself
I don't know just what she wanted
I have no idea what she was trying to communicate
Might have been that it was getting time to leave
It could have been a cue to move on
And I watched as the smoker passed it on
I saw the train go by
And I laughed when the joker said, "Lead on."
I chuckled when someone made a light-hearted comment
Cause there's a train leaves here this morning
A train is departing soon
And I don't know, what I might be on
I haven't decided whether to board that train or not
And there's train leaves here this morning
A train is departing soon
And I don't know, what I might be on
I haven't decided whether to board that train or not
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: BERNIE LEADON, GENE CLARK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind