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.
There Is a Time
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There is no way, I can live without you
Burdens are too much, for me to bear
There is no way, I can live without you
I have tried to make it on my own
But these heavy burdens, these old heavy burdens
They got a little bit too strong
can say, that without Christ in my life
There is no other way, there is no other way
There is no way, I can live without you
There is no way, I can live without you
Burdens are too much, for me to bear
There is no way, I can live without you
I have tried over and over
But there is no other way, is no other way, is no other way
There is no way, I can live without you.
I have tried over and over
But there is no other way, is no other way
Is! No! other! way!
There is no way I can live without you
I have tried to take it, I couldn't take it, I had to face it
But there is no other way, is other way
is! no! other! way!
There is no way I can live without you.
The Dillards' song "There Is a Time" is a heartfelt plea for divine intervention in tough times. The lyrics speak to the struggles of carrying heavy burdens alone and the acknowledgement that living without Christ is not possible. The repetition of "there is no way I can live without you" emphasizes the desperation and need for help. Despite efforts to handle struggles alone, the singer recognizes that without Christ, there is no hope.
The verses describe attempts to manage burdens alone, but the weight becomes overwhelming. This underscores the importance of faith and the need to turn to a higher power for help through tough times. The refrain of "there is no way I can live without you" serves as a reminder of the need for faith and the power of surrender.
The emotional delivery of the lyrics, coupled with the uplifting melody, make for a powerful and introspective song. The Dillards' use of traditional bluegrass instrumentation heightens the sincerity of the message and provides a unique twist on a gospel-inspired song.
Line by Line Meaning
There is no way, I can live without you
I cannot exist without Christ's presence in my life
There is no way, I can live without you
I am completely dependent on Christ
Burdens are too much, for me to bear
The weight of life is too heavy for me to carry alone
There is no way, I can live without you
My soul needs Christ to survive
I have tried to make it on my own
I have attempted to succeed without Christ's help
But these heavy burdens, these old heavy burdens
The struggles of life are becoming overwhelming
They got a little bit too strong
I am struggling to cope with the challenges of life
But right now, I can say, that without Christ in my life
I now recognize that I need Christ's presence in my life
There is no other way, there is no other way
I cannot succeed without Christ's guidance and support
I have tried over and over
I have made repeated attempts
But there is no other way, is no other way, is no other way
Christ is the only path to salvation
I have tried over and over
I have made repeated attempts
But there is no other way, is no other way, is no other way
Christ is the only path to redemption
Is! No! other! way!
There is absolutely no alternative
I have tried to take it, I couldn't take it, I had to face it
I attempted to manage without Christ and failed
But there is no other way, is no other way
Christ is the only method
Is! No! other! way!
There is no alternative
There is no way I can live without you
I require Christ's aid to survive
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Written by: PERCY BADY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@justinzemke8373
There is a time for love and laughter
The days will pass like summer storms
The winter wind will follow after
But there is love and love is warm
There is a time for us to wander
When time is young and so are we
The woods are greener over yonder
The path is new the world is free
There is a time when leaves are fallin'
The woods are gray the paths are old
The snow will come when geese are callin'
You need a fire against the cold
So do your roaming in the springtime
And you'll find your love in the summer sun
The frost will come and bring the harvest
And you can sleep when day is done
@tima1929
There is a time for love and laughter
the days will pass like summer storms
the winter wind will follow after
but there is love and love is warm
*There is a time for us to wander
when time is young and so are we
the woods are greener over yonder
the path is new the world is free*
There is a time when leaves are falling
the woods are gray the paths are old
the snow will come when geese are callin'
you need a fire against the cold
*
So do your roaming in the springtime
you'll find your love and summer sun
frost will come and bring a harvest
and you can sleep when the day is done
*
The path is new the world is free...
The path is new the world is free...
@stflaw
"But pa, that song makes you cry." "I'll fight it!."
@eliseh.7474
🙂
@cjpreach
Maggie Peterson. A sweet lady.
@lowcountryboys6575
"One, and a two, and a three, and a..."
@davidmarple4422
Well, try to control yourself...
@lieutenantnitewolf3337
LOL
@williamstyers4264
This song condenses all of life into less than 3 minutes. So beautiful and well done by the Dillards but I still love Maggie Peterson's version as Charlene.
@mannygonzalez1225
That is the best one sir!
@valeriefootman397
I agree. I love Charlene's version!
@gatormckinley8502
Yea, and that actually was the Dillards playing the music for her!