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
The Wagoner's Lad
The Duhks Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Controlled by their parents until they are wives
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives
I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad
He's courted me daily, by night and by day
Your parents don't like me because I am poor
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door
I work for my living, my money's my own
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone
Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
Come sit down beside me as long as you may
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
So fare thee well darling, I'll be on my way
Your wagon needs greasing, your whip is to mend
Come here down beside me as long as you can
My wagon is greasy, my whip's in my hand
So fare thee well darling, I'll no longer stand
The lyrics of The Wagoner’s Lad by The Duhks speak about the hardship and control that women face in their lives. The singer talks about how all women are controlled and confined, first by their parents, and then by their husbands. This is a sad reality that women have faced throughout history. The singer, who is poor, has been courted by the wagoner's lad, but her parents don't like him because of his financial status. The singer defends herself by telling her lover that she works for her living and she is not ashamed of it.
The wagoner's lad is going away, and the singer is sad about it. He has asked her to come with him, but her parents won't allow it. She asks him to stay with her for as long as he can, but he has to leave. He tells her that he has to attend to his horses and wagon before leaving.
The song reflects the struggles that women face when it comes to societal norms and expectations. It also portrays the difficulties that couples face when they come from different social backgrounds. These themes are timeless and can still be applied to contemporary society.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh hard is the fortune of all womankind
Women face challenges and restrictions throughout their lives
They're always controlled, they're always confined
Women are often under the control of others and lack freedom
Controlled by their parents until they are wives
Parents often have a lot of control over their daughters' lives until they get married
Then slaves to their husbands the rest of their lives
After marriage, women may be subjected to the authority and control of their husbands
I am a poor girl, my fortune is sad
The artist is a young woman with an impoverished background
I've always been courted by the wagoner's lad
The singer has been romantically pursued by a man who works as a wagon driver
He's courted me daily, by night and by day
The wagoner's lad has been persistent in his pursuit of the singer
And now he is loaded and going away
The wagoner's lad is leaving, likely for work purposes
Your parents don't like me because I am poor
The artist's partner is not well-regarded by her family due to his low socio-economic status
They say I'm not worthy of entering your door
The artist's family does not approve of her partner and does not want him around
I work for my living, my money's my own
The singer is independent and self-sufficient
And if they don't like me they can leave me alone
The artist is not willing to compromise her relationship due to her family's disapproval
Your horses are hungry, go feed them some hay
The singer is attempting to prolong her partner's visit and stall his departure
Come sit down beside me as long as you may
The singer is inviting her partner to spend more time with her before he leaves
My horses ain't hungry, they won't eat your hay
The wagoner's lad is not eager to stay longer and is using the excuse of his horses being well-fed to leave
So fare thee well darling, I'll be on my way
The wagoner's lad is bidding farewell to the artist and departing
Your wagon needs greasing, your whip is to mend
The artist is attempting to find more reasons to delay her partner's departure
Come here down beside me as long as you can
The singer is once again urging her partner to stay and spend more time with her
My wagon is greasy, my whip's in my hand
The wagoner's lad is once again using an excuse to leave, stating that he needs to attend to his work duties
So fare thee well darling, I'll no longer stand
The wagoner's lad is saying goodbye and is no longer willing to delay his departure any further
Contributed by Charlotte D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.