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.
The Old Man At The Mill
The Dillards Lyrics
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The mill turns around of its own free will
Hand in the hopper and the other in the sack
Ladies step forward and the gents fall back
Down sat an owl and he said all quiet
Lonesome day and a lonesome night
Thought I heard a pretty girl say
Court all night and you sleep next day
Well then, said the raven as she flew
If I was a young one I'd get two
One for to fetch and the other to sew
I'd have a string for my bow, bow, bow
My old man's in Kalamazoo
He don't give no "yes, I do"
First to the left and then to the right
This old mill grinds day and night
The Dillards's song Old Man At the Mill is a traditional American folk song that tells of an old man who sits at the mill, turning it with his hand. The mill is so old that it turns of its own free will. The man's hands are busy, one in the hopper and the other in the sack. As the song progresses, it describes a dancing event where ladies step forward and the gents fall back. The owl that sat down is quiet, indicating that it is a lonesome day and a lonesome night. Then, the raven that has flown in says that if she were a young one, she would get two and have a string for her bow. The final verse talks about the old man's partner, who is in Kalamazoo and doesn't give a "yes, I do." Despite this, the old mill works day and night, grinding grain.
The song presents a simple yet significant metaphor of life. The old man represents the cycle of life, where nothing stops, and life keeps moving forward. The mill, representing life, goes on and on, while the old man symbolizes the people who are there to turn its wheels. The verses of the song are just the facets of the miller's life, with his daily routine, the mundane tasks of grinding grain, and his loneliness.
In conclusion, Old Man At the Mill, with its metaphor and simple yet vivid lyrics, describes the unending cycle of life. The song exemplifies the significance of life's simple acts, how they keep the wheel of life turning.
Line by Line Meaning
Same old man sitting at the mill
There's an old man who sits at the mill and he's always there.
The mill turns around of its own free will
The mill rotates itself, it doesn't need someone to do it manually.
Hand in the hopper and the other in the sack
The old man has one hand in the hopper and the other hand in the sack to handle the flour.
Ladies step forward and the gents fall back
The women move ahead while the men step back.
Down sat an owl and he said all quiet
An owl sat down quietly.
Lonesome day and a lonesome night
It's a lonely day and night.
Thought I heard a pretty girl say
I think I heard a beautiful girl say something.
Court all night and you sleep next day
Spend the night courting someone and then sleep the next day.
Well then, said the raven as she flew
The raven said as it flew away.
If I was a young one I'd get two
If I were younger, I would get two.
One for to fetch and the other to sew
One to bring things and the other to sew.
I'd have a string for my bow, bow, bow
I would have a string for my bow.
My old man's in Kalamazoo
My husband is in Kalamazoo.
He don't give no "yes, I do"
He doesn't say "yes, I do".
First to the left and then to the right
First, move to the left, then to the right.
This old mill grinds day and night
This old mill works constantly, day and night.
Lyrics © DOMINO PUBLISHING COMPANY, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DP, ANDY ROBERTS, DAVE RICHARDS, IAN MATTHEWS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind