The Kingston Trio was formed in 1957 in the Palo Alto, California area by original lineup of Dave Guard (1934–1991), Bob Shane (1934–2020), and Nick Reynolds (1933–2008), who were just out of college. Greatly influenced by The Weavers, the calypso sounds of Harry Belafonte, and other semi-popular folk artists such as the Gateway Singers and the Tarriers, they were discovered playing at a college club called the Cracked Pot by Frank Werber, a local publicist then working at the Hungry i. He became their manager, and secured them a one-shot deal with Capitol Records.
Their first hit was a catchy rendition of an old-time folk song, "Tom Dooley", which went gold in 1958. It was so popular that it entered popular culture as a catchphrase: Ella Fitzgerald, for example, parodies it during her recorded version of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". It won them the first Grammy award for Best Country & Western Performance in 1959. The next year, they won the first Grammy Award for Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording category for the album The Kingston Trio at Large.
At one point in the early 1960s The Kingston Trio had four albums at the same time among the Top 10 selling albums, a record unmatched for nearly 40 years. In spite of this, they had a relatively small number of hit singles.
The group's music was simple and accessible, with much use of tight vocal harmony, signature riffs (often played on the banjo), and repetitive choruses. Capitol producer Voyle Gilmore[1] enhanced their vocal sound to great effect with reverb and the relatively new process of doubletracking, in which the performers sang along with their own pre-recorded part to produce a stronger sound than with a single voice, in part due to a natural time gap of a fraction of a second between the original recording and the overdubbed part. At first pairs of tape recorders were used, then later multitrack recording machines, to produce the effect.
Guard left the band in 1961 as part of a disagreement over its musical direction. He formed the group Whiskey Hill Singers, and was replaced by John Stewart, who led the group through several more years of popularity until the arrival of The Beatles and British invasion rock bands pushed them from the charts.
In 1967 the Trio disbanded after a final performance at the Hungry i, June 17, 1967.
Shane, the lone member to resist the break-up of the Trio, started a new group, aptly named, "The New Kingston Trio," in 1969. Eventually, Shane was successful in reaching a contractual agreement with his former partners, Guard, Reynolds, and Werber, to secure and license once again, the original name, "The Kingston Trio" (unencumbered by the adjective new), in 1976.(Blake et al. 1986.) Shane still owns the property today, 2006.
For a number of years in the 1980s Reynolds, one of the original three members, rejoined Shane.
In 2004 Shane retired from the group due to health problems. He was replaced by Bill Zorn, who had been with Shane in an iteration of the group called The New Kingston Trio; Zorn also has been a member of The Limeliters.
In 2005 Bobby Haworth (a one-time member of The Brothers Four) left the group to be replaced by Rick Dougherty, who also had been a member of The Limeliters.
As of 2006, The Kingston Trio consisted of George Grove, Bill Zorn and Rick Dougherty.
in October 2017, Grove, Zorn, and Dougherty were replaced as the Trio by new licensees Reynolds and Marvin and their friend, Tim Gorelangton. In 2018, Josh Reynolds left the group and was replaced by Bob Haworth, who became a member of the band for the third time. At the end of 2018, Haworth left the group and was replaced by Don Marovich.
Coal Tattoo
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goodbye to Buckeye and white Sycamore. I'm leavin' you behind.
I've been coal miner all of my life. Layin' down track in the hole.
Gotta back like an ironwood, bit by the wind. Blood veins blue as the coal. Blood veins blue as the coal.
Somebody said, "That's a strange tattoo you have on the side of your head"
I said, "That's the blueprint left by the coal. A little more and I'd been dead
Well, I love the rumble and I love the dark. I love the cool of the slade
I stood for the union and walked in the line and fought against the company
I stood for the U. M. W. of A. Now, who's gonna stand for me?
I've got no house and I got no job, just got a worried soul
And a blue tattoo on the side of my head left by the number nine coal. Left by the number nine coal
Someday when I'm dead and gone to heaven, the land of my dreams
I won't have to worry on losin' my job, on bad times and big machines
I ain't gonna pay my money away on dues or hospital plans
I'm gonna pick coal where the blue heavens roll and sing with the angel band
The Kingston Trio's song "Coal Tattoo" is about the life of a coal miner who has worked in the mines for his entire life. The singer is leaving behind his hometown, saying goodbye to Buckeye and white Sycamore, as he is looking for work elsewhere. He describes himself as having a back like an ironwood, bit by the wind, with blood veins that are blue as coal. He carries a tattoo on the side of his head that he claims is the "blueprint left by the coal," something that was almost fatal to him.
The singer reminisces about his time as a coal miner, loving the rumble and the dark, as well as the cool of the slate. He was also a union man, standing for the U.M.W. of A. and fighting against the company. However, he laments that he has lost his house and job, and he wonders who will stand for him. He looks forward to a day when he doesn't have to worry about losing his job, dues, or hospital plans, but instead can pick coal with the angels in the blue heavens.
Overall, "Coal Tattoo" is a poignant song that offers a glimpse into the struggles and sacrifices of coal miners. It highlights the harsh conditions that many endured and the physical toll that mining could take on the body.
Line by Line Meaning
Travelin' down that coal town road. Listenin' to my rubber tires whine.
Driving down the road of a town that thrives on coal. The sound of my tires is the only company I have.
Goodbye to Buckeye and white Sycamore. I'm leavin' you behind.
Saying farewell to the surroundings where he was born and raised. The journey ahead leaves little chance of returning.
I've been coal miner all of my life. Layin' down track in the hole.
Being a miner for coal has been his profession. All the years he has spent laying down tracks in mine tunnels has become his routine.
Gotta back like an ironwood, bit by the wind. Blood veins blue as the coal. Blood veins blue as the coal.
His back is hard like iron and weathered by the wind. His veins show arteries blue as the coal he is surrounded by.
Somebody said, 'That's a strange tattoo you have on the side of your head'
A passerby notices the tattoo on his head and expresses confusion.
I said, 'That's the blueprint left by the coal. A little more and I'd been dead
The tattoo is a badge to show how close he came to death. It signifies the outline of his future as a miner.
Well, I love the rumble and I love the dark. I love the cool of the slade
He thrives in the darkness and underground rumbling. The still atmosphere inside the cave keeps him calm.
And it's on down the new road, lookin' for a job. This travelin' nook in my head'
He continues his journey, searching for a new job. The wandering thought in his head remains a constant companion.
I stood for the union and walked in the line and fought against the company
He once stood with the union and thwarted the company's 'divide and conquer' strategy.
I stood for the U. M. W. of A. Now, who's gonna stand for me?
He stood for the union that helped unite his industry, but when he's in need, who will stand behind him?
I've got no house and I got no job, just got a worried soul
He has no house and no job. His soul is weighed down by the constant worry of his future.
And a blue tattoo on the side of my head left by the number nine coal. Left by the number nine coal
The tattoo on the side of his head is left there by the coal mining industry, specifically the number nine coal.
Someday when I'm dead and gone to heaven, the land of my dreams
One day, in the afterlife, he will go to heaven, which is a place he dreams about.
I won't have to worry on losin' my job, on bad times and big machines
In heaven, there is no need to be concerned about losing one's job, bad times, or large machines.
I ain't gonna pay my money away on dues or hospital plans
He does not want to pay any more dues or medical bills.
I'm gonna pick coal where the blue heavens roll and sing with the angel band
He will mine for coal in a place where the skies are forever an azure blue and he will sing soulful songs with a choir of angels.
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILLY ED WHEELER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rembez01
I love this song!! I grew up a HUGE Kingston trio fan...as was Lindsay Buckingham, who, for some strange reason, stop acknowledging their influence. Anyway..this was one of their best!
Dave Thelander
I've always loved the Kinston Trio. Thought I knew every song and album they've done. But this was a new one for me. Thanks for posting.
Mark Stanley
One of my favorite Kingston Trio albums.
Jkdm 76
As a KT fan from the beginning(1958), this is a perfect example of John's reed-thin voice, a liability for the 2nd Trio. Not his fault, just the way it was. He did his best, but also led the Trio away from their original non-political style into a left-leaning stance. Dave, WHY did you run away???
Stephen Powstinger
Jkdm 76 his voice was good for some songs. Dave had gotten bored and wanted to stay traditional. John was new blood with exciting ideas.
Tai Chi Man
Rest in peace guys. Thanks for all years of absolute joyful music!
JaanusSaar
Yes indeed, so sad to see them all go. At least we still have Mike and Chad from the Chad Mitchell Trio.
Major Thom
My grandfather was always a Kingston Trio fan, and my dad often listened to them when I was growing up. I had my favorites but I keep finding new songs that I'd never heard before and each one becomes my new favorite, like this one. In my opinion many of their best songs won't be found on their greatest hits albums.
Jkdm 76
THIS WAS A VERY GOOD ALBUM!
Gerard Kennell
Love the Kingston Trio, they appeared every spring at Notre Dame in the old field house.