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.
Roddy McCorley
The Kingston Trio Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who come with faces wan
From farm stead and from Fisher's cot
Along the banks of Ban
They come with vengeance in their eyes,
Too late,
Too late are they,
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome
Up the narrow street he stepped,
Smiling, proud and young
About the hemp rope on his neck,
The golden ringlets clung
There was never a tear in his blue eyes,
Both glad and bright were they,
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome
Today!
When he last stepped up that street
His shining pike in hand
Around him marched in grim array
A stalwart earnest band
For Antrim Town!
For Antrim Town!
He led them to the fray,
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome
Today!
There is never a one of all who die
Who bravely fell in fray
Than he who marches to his death
On the Bridge of Toome today
True to the last, true to the last,
He treads the upward way
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome
Today!
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die
On the Bridge of Toome
Today!
The Kingston Trio's song "Young Roddy McCorley" is an influential ballad set in the context of the Irish rebellion. The song speaks of a young, daring Irishman named Roddy McCorley who is to be executed on the Bridge of Toome for his role in leading the attack on Antrim Town. The lyrics invite the listeners to witness the passion of the rebels, who with glowing eyes and determined spirits, sought to free their country from the British oppression.
The song's first stanza describes the arrival of the rebels who come from their farms or fishing cottages, with pale faces, filled with vengeance for their fallen comrades. They arrive too late, as young Roddy McCorley is already being led to his death on the Bridge of Toome. The second stanza, however, portrays a different picture of Roddy McCorley. He ascends the narrow street with a proud smile, youthful and confident, with his blue eyes shining bright, and his golden ringlets clinging onto the rope which is to execute him. The young rebel is portrayed as fearless and unflinching in the face of death, which only adds poignancy to the scene. In the final stanza, the song highlights the honor and bravery of Roddy McCorley as he marches to his death. Even in this final moment, he remains steadfast and unyielding, defying the oppressive forces of the British Empire.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, see the fleet foot hosts of men
Behold the swift and numerous army
Who come with faces wan
Arriving with tired and pale expressions
From farmstead and from Fisher's cot
From the farms and cottages near the river Ban
Along the banks of Ban
Traveling by the river Ban
They come with vengeance in their eyes,
Determined to seek revenge
Too late, too late are they,
But it's too late for them
For young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome
As young Roddy McCorley heads towards his execution on the Toome Bridge
Up the narrow street he stepped,
He walked up the narrow street
Smiling, proud and young
Looking happy, confident and youthful
About the hemp rope on his neck,
Despite the noose around his neck
The golden ringlets clung
His long, flowing hair remained beautiful
There was never a tear in his blue eyes,
He didn't cry or show fear
Both glad and bright were they,
Instead, his eyes sparkled with happiness and optimism
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the bridge of Toome
As young Roddy McCorley heads towards his execution on the Toome Bridge
Today!
On this very day!
When he last stepped up that street
Before this moment, the last time he walked down that street
His shining pike in hand
He carried a gleaming spear
Around him marched in grim array
He was surrounded by a solemn group of soldiers
A stalwart earnest band
A loyal and committed group
For Antrim Town!
Fighting for the town of Antrim!
For Antrim Town!
Again, fighting for Antrim Town!
He led them to the fray,
He proudly guided them into battle
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome today!
As young Roddy McCorley heads towards his execution on the Toome Bridge
There is never a one of all who die
Of all those who die
Who bravely fell in the fray
None who fell in battle were as brave as he
Than he who marches to his death
Especially the man who walks to his execution
On the Bridge of Toome today
On this very day, on the Toome Bridge
True to the last, true to the last,
He remained faithful until the end
He treads the upward way
He walks towards the afterlife
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die on the Bridge of Toome today
As young Roddy McCorley heads towards his execution on the Toome Bridge
As young Roddy McCorley goes to die
As young Roddy McCorley heads towards his execution
On the Bridge of Toome
On the Toome Bridge
Today!
On this very day!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: TRADITIONAL, J BAIRD, PD TRADITIONAL
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@jeffbutler6100
The Kingston Trio, was the music of my youth. I have most all their albums, and remember their songs well, especially this one. Its really hard to believe, they are all gone now. RIP guys
@ssgtsouth
This song is the meaning of Folk music. A song telling a story from 1798, still being sung in Irish pubs and by folk groups today. No group ever did it better, never will either. Thanks for posting this video, I raise a flagon to ya sir
@michaelohanlon6778
Rest In Peace Bob Shane ,thanks for the great music.
@jeffbutler6100
Amen, I saw him with the KT on many occasions Great Group
@E621_Rule34
Nick is gone now to passed in 2008 in fact none of them are around now...kinda sucks
@jeffbutler6100
Yes it is sad. The Kingston Trio was the music of my youth. I saw them several times at their concerts and had all of their albums.
@terrydanks
@@jeffbutler6100 Thought I knew all the KT's work but this one was new to me.
Only saw them once, at Place desArts in Montreal, ca. 1965.
@Arrghigiveup
I am not Irish, and the first time I heard this song I had no idea who Roddy McCorley was, nor had I heard any of the Kingston Trio's work. It says something then, about the quality of the singers and the arrangement, as well as the sheer poignancy of the words that hearing it for the first time almost made me tear up.
@marknewton6984
Kingston Trio was great. I have all their vinyl albums, over 20! Still play them, always will. Florida boy
@carlylewoodard269
Forever The Best, THE KINGSTON TRIO