The band's name derives from banjoist Leonard Podolak's earlier band Scruj MacDuhk (pronounced Scrugg MachDuke). MacDuhk was a warrior chieftain who fought with William Wallace, resisting English occupation of Scotland, during the reign of King Edward I. The entire name is a wordplay on the Disney character Scrooge McDuck created by Carl Barks.
In March of 2007 lead singer and budding songwriter Jessee Havey left the band to pursue other interests. Singer Sarah Dugas joined the band in July of 2007 and is on the road with The Duhks.
In late 2007, percussionist Scott Senior left the band to spend more time with his family, as his partner, Tara Beckta, was expecting their second child. Christian Dugas, Sarah's brother and a former bandmate of Leonard Podolak, has since joined The Duhks. Other members are fiddler Tania Elizabeth and guitarist Jordan McConnell.
In October 2007 The Duhks Sustainability Project http://www.greenduhks.com was launched to raise awareness about ways to live a more economically-viable and ecologically-sustainable lifestyle. In April 2008, The Duhks performed a post Earth Day benefit in Nederland, Colorado.
In spring 2016, the band announced that they would no longer be touring. They have not released any new music since 2014.
http://www.duhks.com
Ol' Cook Pot
The Duhks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Try to get more than what that bowler got
Don't trim no fat, pulls potatoes from a box
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama gonna water that gravy down
Got to make enough to go around
With five mouths to feed and Papa in the ground
Well, thank the Lord and sit up straight
Mind your manners and clean your plate
Don't ask for seconds savor every drop
'Cause there's nothin' more comin' from that ol' cook pot
Now Mama's gonna bargain with the ol' cook pot
Pray to the Maker, make the hunger stop
And ask a little more than what we've got
Oh, Mama gonna bargain with the ol' cook pot
Thank the Lord and sit up straight
Mind your manners and clean your plate
Don't ask for seconds savor every drop
'Cause there's nothin' more comin', nothin' more comin', no more
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Try to get more than what that bowler got
Don't trim no fat, pulls potatoes from a box
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
The Duhks’ “Ol’ Cook Pot” is a folksy, roots-inspired tune that speaks to the struggle of a small family trying to make ends meet. The song is set against the backdrop of a communal meal, as the lyrics detail Mama’s efforts to stretch the food as far as she can, ensuring that everyone gets a fair share. Throughout the song, the image of the “ol’ cook pot” serves as a symbol of both sustenance and scarcity, highlighting the importance of resourcefulness and carefulness when faced with difficult circumstances.
The first verse introduces Mama’s bargaining tactics, as she tries to eke out more food from the pot than the last person who had a serving. The second verse describes Mama’s efforts to water down the gravy in order to make it last longer, and highlights the fact that the family is struggling to make ends meet in light of the father’s passing. The final verses encourage gratitude and contentment, even in the face of scarcity, as they remind us that there may not be anything left in the pot after the meal is over.
Overall, The Duhks’ “Ol’ Cook Pot” is a poignant and relatable anthem of struggle and perseverance. It speaks to the challenges that many people face in trying to make ends meet, and highlights the importance of resourcefulness, gratitude, and carefulness in the face of difficult circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama will make a deal with the cooking pot
Try to get more than what that bowler got
She will try to get more than the previous meal
Don't trim no fat, pulls potatoes from a box
She won't remove the fat, instead will use boxed potatoes
Mama gonna water that gravy down
She'll dilute the gravy to make it stretch
Got to make enough to go around
She needs to make enough for everyone to eat
With five mouths to feed and Papa in the ground
There are five people to feed and their father has passed away
Well, thank the Lord and sit up straight
Be grateful and sit properly
Mind your manners and clean your plate
Behave well and finish your food
Don't ask for seconds savor every drop
Don't ask for more, appreciate what you have
'Cause there's nothin' more comin' from that ol' cook pot
There won't be any more food after this meal
Pray to the Maker, make the hunger stop
Ask God to stop the hunger
And ask a little more than what we've got
Request more than what they currently have
Oh, Mama gonna bargain with the ol' cook pot
Mama will negotiate with the cooking pot again
Don't ask for seconds, savor every drop
Don't be greedy, enjoy what you have
'Cause there's nothin' more comin', nothin' more comin', no more
There won't be any more food after this
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama will make a deal with the cooking pot
Try to get more than what that bowler got
She will try to get more than the previous meal
Don't trim no fat, pulls potatoes from a box
She won't remove the fat, instead will use boxed potatoes
Mama gonna bargain with the 'ol cook pot
Mama will make a deal with the cooking pot again
Contributed by Reagan O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.