The Doc Watson Family is the attribution of recordings by American folk mus… Read Full Bio ↴The Doc Watson Family is the attribution of recordings by American folk music artist Doc Watson and wider family members originally released as an album in 1963. The field recordings were done by Ralph Rinzler, Eugene W. Earle, Archie Green, and Peter Siegel from 1960 to 1963. Artists on the recordings include Doc Watson (guitar, banjo, harmonica, mandolin, autoharp, vocals), Merle Watson (guitar, banjo), Gaither Carlton (banjo, fiddle, vocals), Dolly Greer (vocals), Sophronie Miller Greer (vocals), Annie Watson (vocals), Arnold Watson (banjo, harmonica, vocals), Rosa Lee Watson (vocals), Willard Watson (banjo), Ralph Rinzler (guitar).

The album was re-released on Smithsonian Folkways on CD in 1990 with additional tracks from the 1970s.

The Lone Pilgrim
The Doc Watson Family Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay
And pensively stood by his tomb,
When in a low whisper I heard something say,
"How sweetly I sleep here alone.

The tempest may howl and the loud thunder roar,
And gathering storms may arise,
But calm is my feeling, at rest is my soul.

The tears are all wiped from my eyes.

The cause of my Master compelled me from home,
No kindred or relative nigh.
I met the contagion and sank to the tomb,
My soul flew to mansions on high.

Go tell my companion and children most dear
To weep not for me now I'm gone.

The same hand that led me through scenes most severe
Has kindly assisted me home."

Overall Meaning

The Doc Watson Family's song "The Lone Pilgrim" tells the story of a solitary pilgrim lying in a tomb. The singer comes across this site and stands pensively near the tomb. Suddenly, the singer hears a whisper coming from the tomb. The whisper conveys a calm and peaceful feeling, and a sense of acceptance of death. The pilgrim says that even though the storms of life may rage on, his soul is at rest and his tears are all wiped away. He speaks of being compelled from home by his Master and meeting the contagion, which ultimately led to his death. However, he assures his loved ones to not weep for him, as the same hand that led him through difficult times has led him to a better place.

The song's theme is clear- death is inevitable, and when it comes, it brings a peaceful resolution. The lonely tombstone represents the isolation one feels in the face of death, yet the quietness that comes with it is a comfort to the deceased. The lyrics of the song remind us of the fragility and finiteness of life, and that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.

Line by Line Meaning

I came to the place where the lone pilgrim lay
I arrived at the spot where the solitary traveler rested.

And pensively stood by his tomb,
I stood thoughtfully beside his burial site.

When in a low whisper I heard something say,
I heard a soft murmur in my ear.

"How sweetly I sleep here alone.
"I rest here in peaceful slumber all by myself."

The tempest may howl and the loud thunder roar,
Storms may rage and thunder may boom,

And gathering storms may arise,
And even more tempestuous weather may come,

But calm is my feeling, at rest is my soul.
But I am tranquil and my soul is at ease.

The tears are all wiped from my eyes.
My eyes shed no tears.

The cause of my Master compelled me from home,
I left home for the sake of serving my Lord,

No kindred or relative nigh.
With no family nearby.

I met the contagion and sank to the tomb,
I contracted an illness and fell to death,