Compared to Southern rock pioneers and label-mates The Allman Brothers Band, Marshall Tucker had a more country and western feel, with the flute being a key lead instrument in their sound. "Can't You See", "Fire on the Mountain", and "This Ol' Cowboy" are among their songs that received appreciable FM radio airplay, while "Heard It in a Love Song" made it to #14 as a single on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1977.
Original bassist Tommy Caldwell died in a car crash on April 28, 1980. His brother, guitarist Toy Caldwell, died of respiratory failure on February 25, 1993.
There was no band member named "Marshall Tucker". Originally, the band called itself The Toy Factory (named after lead-guitarist Toy Caldwell). But by the time the band released its first album they had become the Marshall Tucker Band. During a radio interview in Hempstead, NY in 1973, Tommy Caldwell explained the origins of the band's name:
"There's an old blind dude [in Spartanburg, SC] that tunes pianos, and his name is Marshall Tucker... We didn't name the band after him, but we just kind of liked that name and stuck with it."
Virginia
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up in them mountains teaching school
All alone in a one room shack
Teaching the children all she knew
We spent a lot of hours together
And one day she said she'd love me for all time
And I hope she don't change her mind
We took a trip to Montana
Guess we were looking for gold
Never saw a trace of it
But it was everywhere we were told
Worked in a mine for thirteen hours every day
I took one look at my Virginia
And knew she wasn't meant to live that way
The going was rough
But she treated me so kind
I'm in love with Miss Virginia
And I hope she don't change her mind
Change her mind
Solo:
Now we're back in Carolina
Up in them Smokies where we belong
Never knew why we went away
Can't understand why we were gone
Been with her twenty years
And all those years she made me feel so fine
And she still tells me that she loves me
And I hope she don't change her mind
And I hope she don't change her mind
The Marshall Tucker Band’s song Virginia is a testament to the power of love and staying true to one’s roots. The song tells the story of the singer meeting Virginia two summers ago while she was teaching school in the mountains. Despite living in a one-room shack, Virginia was committed to teaching the children all she knew. The singer and Virginia soon fell in love, with Virginia telling him that she’d love him for all time.
The couple took a trip to Montana, hoping to find gold, but soon realized that their journey was about much more than treasure. They worked hard in a mine for thirteen hours every day, but the singer realized that Virginia wasn’t meant to live that way. Though the going was rough, Virginia treated him kindly, and the singer realized that he was in love with her and hoped that she wouldn’t change her mind.
The two eventually return to their home in Carolina, to the Smokies where they belonged. After twenty years together, Virginia still makes the singer feel fine and tells him that she loves him. The song’s message is powerful: true love is enduring, and it’s worth staying true to oneself and one’s roots.
Line by Line Meaning
I met Virginia two summers ago
Two summers ago, I had the pleasure of encountering Virginia.
Up in them mountains teaching school
While in the mountains, Virginia was highly involved in the education of the children.
All alone in a one room shack
Virginia lived in isolation, staying in a simple one room home.
Teaching the children all she knew
As a devoted teacher, Virginia shared her knowledge with the children and shaped their education.
We spent a lot of hours together
Virginia and I spent a great deal of time in each other's company.
And one day she said she'd love me for all time
On a particular day, Virginia confessed to me that her love for me was forever.
And I'm in love with my Virginia
I myself fell in love with Virginia.
And I hope she don't change her mind
I wish and hope that Virginia remains steadfast in her love and commitment.
We took a trip to Montana
Virginia and I ventured to Montana for a new experience.
Guess we were looking for gold
Our motivation for this trip was to find gold.
Never saw a trace of it
Regrettably, we didn't have the good fortune of discovering gold in Montana.
But it was everywhere we were told
Despite this, there were hearsays about gold being present wherever we went.
Worked in a mine for thirteen hours every day
We were employed in a mining gig and worked long hours for thirteen days.
I took one look at my Virginia
After just one glance at Virginia, I was struck with a realization.
And knew she wasn't meant to live that way
It dawned on me that Virginia was not meant for a life of harsh work in a mining business like that.
The going was rough
The journey was arduous and trying.
But she treated me so kind
Throughout it all, Virginia showed me kindness and compassion.
I'm in love with Miss Virginia
The love I hold for Virginia is immense and endearing.
And I hope she don't change her mind
I ardently desire for Virginia's feelings towards me to remain the same unshakeable ones.
Now we're back in Carolina
At present, Virginia and I are settled in Carolina.
Up in them Smokies where we belong
It is in the Smokies where we feel most at home and most comfortable.
Never knew why we went away
We never really understood the reason we first left Carolina to venture to Montana.
Can't understand why we were gone
The circumstances that led to us leaving Carolina are still unclear.
Been with her twenty years
For two decades now, Virginia and I have been together.
And all those years she made me feel so fine
Throughout all those years, Virginia has been the source of my joy and happiness.
And she still tells me that she loves me
Even now, Virginia still professes the love she has for me.
And I hope she don't change her mind
My most ardent wish is that Virginia remains resolute in her love for me and continues to love me the way she always has.
Contributed by Colton K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Vader Time
As a black man, I have NEVER heard such an awesome Southern Blues song like this since Rev. Robert Wilkins.
Carla Johnson
This song reminds me when my dad would play it and he said he thought of his grandmother. Both now gone but never forgotten. I love this song
Vader Time
@James O'Dwyer ur right. I just turned 30 so I never knew music like this existed.
James O'Dwyer
Well said, music is for everyone..
Nathaniel Rossi
@Vader Time heheh i can imagine. Great tunes. God bless you.
Vader Time
@Nathaniel Rossi man I lost my shits when I heard these old songs
MrFrankama
this is one of the most under-rated bands of that era. I have a southern rock tribute band in ct. and have had not only the honor of playing their music but we also played 2 shows with them and got to hang out with the band. They treated us like we were equals even though we were just home town hacks.I sat and watched Doug Grey in amazement,one of my favorite vocalists. True southern gentlemen and we try our best to do them justice.
Richie O
I thank God for being able to see Marshall Tucker in its original line up growing up.. This song gives me the chills...God Bless the band.Thank You
Gert achternaam
I visited the US over 20 years ago. Heard MTB for the first time and enjoyed their music a lot ! Before I went back to Holland , I bought 8 CD's and still listen to MTB almost daily. Still loving every second of their great music. Thanks !
Harvey Bishop
Music of this caliber has no limits.