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.
Whole World 'Round
The Dillards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Early in the day
I heard his axe beyond the hill
And now I'm bound away
For some men love the city life
Some men crave the town
But I'll be bound for the lonesome woods
[Chorus]
Fiddle and a bow and the fire light's glow
You can hear that lonesome sound
I'll leave behind my troublin' mind
And go the whole world 'round
The red squirrel leaves when the gray squirrel comes
The eagle nests alone
A hundred miles from a wagon track
Is where I'll build my home
[Chorus]
I've seen the old man whittlin' wood
I've seen the streets of town
I'll pack my goods for the Arkansas woods
And there I'll settle down
[Chorus: x2]
"The Whole World 'Round" is a song by The Dillards which reflects on the singer's desire to escape from the harsh realities of life in the city and to move back to nature to lead a more settled life. The lyrics have been interestingly crafted to convey the essence of a rural lifestyle where the singer can enjoy the peacefulness of nature without the hustle and bustle of the city. The opening line of the song, "I heard my neighbor's rooster crow early in the day," sets the tone for what is to follow. It gives the listener an idea that the singer is in the midst of nature, where sounds of nature such as that of a rooster crowing, are commonplace.
The singer's subtle desire is to escape from the city and lead a more carefree life. He has had enough of the city life and wants to leave behind his "troubling mind" and "go the whole world 'round." The imagery used in the song is vivid and evocative. For instance, while talking about where he'll build his home, he says "a hundred miles from a wagon track," which emphasizes the extent to which he wants to be isolated from the hustle and bustle of city life.
In conclusion, "The Whole World 'Round" is a song that paints a vivid picture of the singer's desire to escape the city and seek out a more peaceful life in nature. The lyrics of the song emphasize the beauty of nature, which is deeply rooted in our human souls.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard my neighbor's rooster crow
I woke up early and heard my neighbor's rooster crowing
Early in the day
It was still early in the day
I heard his axe beyond the hill
I could hear the sound of his axe chopping wood from far away, beyond the hill
And now I'm bound away
Now I am leaving this place
For some men love the city life
Some men prefer living in cities
Some men crave the town
Others like living in smaller towns
But I'll be bound for the lonesome woods
But I am destined for the quiet and remote forest
Where I can settle down
There I can find my permanent home
Fiddle and a bow and the fire light's glow
I will have my fiddle and bow to play music by the light of a cozy fire
You can hear that lonesome sound
The only sound you can hear is the lonely tune of my music
I'll leave behind my troublin' mind
I will leave my worries behind
And go the whole world 'round
I will travel to different places around the world
The red squirrel leaves when the gray squirrel comes
Red squirrels leave when gray squirrels arrive
The eagle nests alone
Eagles are solitary creatures and do not live in flocks
A hundred miles from a wagon track
I want to live far from civilization, at least a hundred miles away from the nearest wagon track
Is where I'll build my home
That is where I will build my permanent residence
I've seen the old man whittlin' wood
I have watched an old man carving wood
I've seen the streets of town
I have walked through the streets of various towns
I'll pack my goods for the Arkansas woods
I will prepare and pack my belongings to move to the woods in Arkansas
And there I'll settle down
I will establish my permanent residence there
Fiddle and a bow and the fire light's glow
Again, I will have my fiddle and bow to play music by the light of a cozy fire
You can hear that lonesome sound
Still, the only sound you can hear is the lonely tune of my music.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: J. STUART, M. JAYNE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind