Evolving, in part, from the Picket Line Coyotes and the Grackles, the Gourds original line-up consists of Kevin Russell (vocals, guitar, mandolin), Jimmy Smith (vocals, bass, guitar), Claude Bernard (accordion, guitar, vocals), and Charlie Llewellin (drums, percussion). Llewellin was replaced by current drummer Keith Langford shortly after the second album was recorded, and multi-instrumentalist Max Johnston officially joined after being invited to play on their third album. By the following album, Johnston had also become the band's third songwriter, though Russell and Smith have continued to share the bulk of those responsibilities.
Despite a sizable amount of original material, the Gourds are probably best known for a song they did not write, and for which they initially did not receive credit. A full twelve years after its live debut, fans can still be heard calling out for the band's cover version of Snoop Dogg's "Gin and Juice", often before they have even taken the stage. This has led some to consider it an albatross, but the band continues to play the crowd pleaser, adding various impromptu covers to its mid-section as a way of expanding its appeal.
While the Gourds studio efforts have all been well received, their high-energy live performances and constant touring have earned them the reputation of a band that must be seen to be appreciated. As a result, they enjoy a dedicated fan base, that is happy to follow them from town to town, and have become a favorite among those who tape live music
Members
* Kevin Russell - vocals, mandolin, guitar
* Claude Bernard - accordion, organ, guitar
* Jimmy Smith - vocals, guitar, percussion, bass, water bowl
* Keith Langford - drums, harmonica, washboard, toy guitar
* Max Johnston (of Uncle Tupelo & Wilco) - banjo, fiddle, guitar, vocals
Discography
Studio albums
Dem's Good Beeble – 1997
Stadium Blitzer – 1998
Ghosts of Hallelujah – 1999
Bolsa de Agua – 2000
Cow Fish Fowl or Pig – 2002
Blood of the Ram – 2004
Heavy Ornamentals – 2006
Noble Creatures – 2007
Haymaker! – 2009
Studio covers and live originals
Gogitchyershinebox – 1998
Shinebox – 2001
Soundtracks
Growin' a Beard – 2003
Something's Brewin' in Shiner – 2004
Caledonia
The Gourds Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A little dance
A little seltzer down yer pants
Lump o gold the size of yer head
Happy day in a boat
Trade a heffer for a goat
Caledonia where the hell you been
Dear friend rub my back
'tis no cadence that I lack
Rise in humor and or laughter
May a basoon full of camphor
Blow yer britches down today
Blow yer britches down today
Caledonia where the hell you been
Step lively with caprice
Through the heavy chested spread
May the purple painted theif
Dance on the harpsichord instead
Let mine eye state it bluntly
No such stuff was in my thoughts
Caledonia where the hell you been
The song "Caledonia" by The Gourds is a whimsical and playful tune that is difficult to pin down in terms of meaning. The lyrics themselves are a mishmash of silly, nonsense phrases and almost poetic expressions. The opening lines of "A little song, a little dance, a little seltzer down yer pants" is a nod to the Vaudeville era of comedy, where such physical comedy was common. The line "Lump o gold the size of yer head" is a play on the phrase "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow", twisting it into a ridiculous image.
Moving into the chorus of "Caledonia where the hell you been", the song takes on a bit of a wistful tone. It's unclear who or what "Caledonia" represents, but the repeated plea for their return implies a sense of loss or absence. The subsequent lines of "Dear friend rub my back, 'tis no cadence that I lack; Rise in humor and or laughter, may a bassoon full of camphor blow yer britches down today" are again a mix of silliness and more poetic language. The request for a friend to "rub my back" is a comforting image, but it's contrasted with the absurdity of a bassoon full of camphor "blowing yer britches down today".
The final lines of "Step lively with caprice, through the heavy chested spread; May the purple painted thief dance on the harpsichord instead; Let mine eye state it bluntly, no such stuff was in my thoughts; Caledonia where the hell you been" continue the nonsensical trend of the rest of the song. It's unclear what the "heavy chested spread" or the "purple painted thief" represent, but the image of the thief dancing on the harpsichord is certainly amusing. The final plea of "Caledonia where the hell you been" takes on a bit of a mournful tinge, as if the singer is truly missing someone or something.
Line by Line Meaning
A little song
Let's start singing a fun little song
A little dance
Let's also add some dancing to this little performance
A little seltzer down yer pants
Let's not take things too seriously and have some silly fun like spraying seltzer water down your pants
Lump o gold the size of yer head
Wouldn't it be great to find a huge lump of gold like the size of your head?
A little bramble in yer bed
Even if there are thorny brambles in your bed, we can still be happy and make the best of it
Happy day in a boat
Let's enjoy a happy day out on a boat
Trade a heffer for a goat
Let's make some good deals and trade a cow for a goat
Caledonia where the hell you been
Where have you been, Caledonia? We've missed you
Dear friend rub my back
Let's be good friends and give each other back rubs
'tis no cadence that I lack
I don't lack rhythm or musical timing in my singing
Rise in humor and or laughter
Let's lift our spirits and make each other laugh
May a basoon full of camphor
I hope a pleasant smell like camphor fills the air like a basoon playing
Blow yer britches down today
Let's have a hilarious time and be so amused that we end up blowing our pants off
Blow yer britches down today
Let's continue having a fun time and be so amused that we end up blowing our pants off
Caledonia where the hell you been
Seriously though, Caledonia, where have you been?
Step lively with caprice
Let's take lively steps full of spontaneity and whimsy
Through the heavy chested spread
Enjoy the thick and abundant growth all around us
May the purple painted theif
May a mischievous thief painted with purple colors dance on the harpsichord instead of causing harm
Dance on the harpsichord instead
Let's replace destruction with harmless fun like dancing on a musical instrument
Let mine eye state it bluntly
I'll be honest and straightforward with what I have to say
No such stuff was in my thoughts
I wasn't thinking any bad or harmful thoughts
Caledonia where the hell you been
Seriously, Caledonia, where have you been all this time?
Lyrics © CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Thatguy
on Burn The Honeysuckle
Are you gonna credit ChatGPT for writing this?