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.
Reuben James
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Called the good Reuben James?
Run by hard fighting men
Both of honor and of fame
She flew the Stars and Stripes
Of the land of the free,
But tonight she's in her grave
At the bottom of the sea
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
One hundred men went down
To their dark and watery graves
When that good ship went down,
Only forty-four were saved
'Twas the last day of October
They saved forty-four
From the dark, icy water
Of that cold Iceland shore
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
It was there in the dark
Of that cold and watery night
They watched for the you-boats
And they waited for a fight
Then a whine and a rock
And a great explosion's roar
They lay the Reuben James
On that cold ocean floor
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Many years have passed
Since those brave men are gone
Those cold, icy waters,
They're still and they're calm
Many years have passed
And still I wonder why
The worst of men must fight
And the best of men must die!
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Tell me, what were their names?
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
The Kingston Trio's song Reuben James is a heartfelt tribute to the 115 sailors who lost their lives when the USS Reuben James was torpedoed by a German U-boat on October 31, 1941, in the North Atlantic Ocean. The song is narrated from the perspective of a mourner who asks for the names of the brave sailors who perished. The song is a poignant testament to the futility of war and the cost of heroism.
The first verse of the song introduces the Reuben James, a good ship manned by hard fighting men who fought for honor and fame. The ship flew the Stars and Stripes, the flag of the land of the free. The singer describes the fate of the ship, which sank to the bottom of the sea, taking with it the lives of many sailors. The chorus of the song asks for the names of the sailors who perished, and if anyone knew someone on the ship.
The second verse describes the tragedy of the Reuben James sinking. Only forty-four men survived out of one hundred who went down to their watery graves. The sailors were saved from the icy water of the cold Iceland shore. The chorus repeats, asking for the names of the sailors who perished and if anyone knew someone on the ship.
The third verse recounts the final moments of the Reuben James. The sailors watched for German U-boats and waited for a fight. Suddenly, they heard a whir and a rock, followed by a great explosion's roar. The Reuben James was laid on the cold ocean floor. The song concludes by reflecting on the passage of time, the calmness of the once-choppy ocean, and the tragic loss of brave men.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you heard of the ship
Are you familiar with the story of the ship
Called the good Reuben James?
Named the good Reuben James?
Run by hard fighting men
Operated by brave and skilled soldiers
Both of honor and of fame
Known for their admirable qualities and achievements
She flew the Stars and Stripes
Displayed the American flag
Of the land of the free,
Symbolizing a nation of freedom
But tonight she's in her grave
But now the ship has sunk
At the bottom of the sea
Resting on the ocean floor
Oh, tell me, what were their names,
Please share the names of these brave men
Tell me, what were their names?
Please tell me who they were
Did you have a friend on the good Reuben James?
Were you personally affected by this tragedy?
One hundred men went down
One hundred soldiers lost their lives
To their dark and watery graves
Drowning in the ocean
When that good ship went down,
When the ship sank
Only forty-four were saved
Only a small number of soldiers survived
'Twas the last day of October
This happened on the last day of October
They saved forty-four
Forty-four soldiers were rescued
From the dark, icy water
From the cold and unforgiving sea
Of that cold Iceland shore
Of the shore of Iceland, a place known for its danger
It was there in the dark
In the darkness of the night
Of that cold and watery night
Of that frigid and treacherous evening
They watched for the you-boats
They were searching for enemy submarines
And they waited for a fight
Preparing for battle
Then a whine and a rock
Followed by a loud explosion
And a great explosion's roar
A loud and devastating blast
They lay the Reuben James
The ship was destroyed
On that cold ocean floor
Resting on the sea bed
Many years have passed
A long time has gone by
Since those brave men are gone
Since those courageous soldiers died
Those cold, icy waters,
The freezing ocean
They're still and they're calm
Despite the tragedy, the sea remains peaceful
And still I wonder why
I am still curious as to why
The worst of men must fight
Why the most evil individuals engage in combat
And the best of men must die!
And why the best among us are often the ones who perish
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Alex Harvey, Barry Etris
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
hayami seo
Don't you feel the fury burning behind this song?
When I first encountered the song, I was a freshman of a college.
It gave me a tremendous shock, and immediately started copying American modern folk songs.
At the same time, as a Japanese, I joined anti-Vietnam war movements.
Still now, their forceful chorus makes my blood overflow.
ドイツのUボートに攻撃され、百人余りの乗組員のうち救助されたのは４４人だけという大惨事。
これはニュースを耳にしたW・ガースリーが、一晩で完成させた不滅の叙事詩です。
キングストン・トリオの力強いコーラスには、アメリカ国民の愛国心と怒りが溢れていますね。
この歌が決定的な原点となって、僕はアメリカン・モダンフォークソングにのめり込みました。
xgi36
The best singers in my lifetime. Rest in peace ,you gave great joy and talent to the world.
John Oshei
The Kingston Trio's is my dad's entire musical gift to me, aside from one or two works by Dave Brubeck and Dmitri Shostakovich and learning about steel drums. A friend and I were preparing for a mock radio project in my seventh grade music class and he played a burned CD of assorted music. One song, "Reverend Mr. Black", stuck out. As far as I remember, we never used it for the project. However, my dad gave me a "Best of the Kingston Trio" by Capitol Records. I still have the CD, which includes Tom Dooley, Scarlet Ribbons, Seasons in the Sun, Greenback Dollar, MTA, One More Town, and A Worried Man-my favorite. I am glad that I expanded into lesser known wonders like Bimini, Laredo, and Sloop John B. Even though my favorites are covers by other artists (making covers was a common practice in the 1950s and 1960s), they are etched in my heart. So the basic familiarity with the Kingston Trio, which he loved growing up in the 1950s, was one of the greatest gifts he ever bestowed on me.
Unfortunately, I don't know any other young people (around 25 years of age) who enjoy their harmonies. Even people born in the 1970s seemingly don't remember them. It is difficult to imagine that a group which influenced The Beatles' early fashion is totally unfamiliar to people. However, their covers have given me bridges into The Seekers, Peter, Paul, and Mary, and Gerry and the Pacemakers. How I love that banjo and wish I could play it! I have not read the biography on them yet, but it is sad to know that alcoholism made its ugly grip and they split a few times. Overall, they are a good complement to disco, the musical heritage from my mom. I wish brotherly love to all Kingston Trio fans. We have found a rare gift.
Robert LoBianco
I grew up listening to the Trio. This one is a classic.
hayami seo
Don't you feel the fury burning behind this song?
When I first encountered the song, I was a freshman of a college.
It gave me a tremendous shock, and immediately started copying American modern folk songs.
At the same time, as a Japanese, I joined anti-Vietnam war movements.
Still now, their forceful chorus makes my blood overflow.
ドイツのUボートに攻撃され、百人余りの乗組員のうち救助されたのは４４人だけという大惨事。
これはニュースを耳にしたW・ガースリーが、一晩で完成させた不滅の叙事詩です。
キングストン・トリオの力強いコーラスには、アメリカ国民の愛国心と怒りが溢れていますね。
この歌が決定的な原点となって、僕はアメリカン・モダンフォークソングにのめり込みました。
Marshall Drew
Born in 1996.
My dad would play this on the weekends he got to see us.
I'll sing this song til the day I die.
Mrs Vm
I run to this song all of the time:)
John Jepsen
AWESOME!!!
John Jepsen
Thank you Woody Guthrie . R.I.P. sailors and Woody.
Mike Prell
I did not know about Shane's passing. When ? Damn, but they were great! Dave Guard included! Wow!
janpow331
Our next door neighbor is Bob Shane's cousin!