The band's best-known song was a 1970 cover of Jerry Jeff Walker's folk song "Mr. Bojangles". Their greatest critical acclaim has been for a 1972 album of country and folk standards, recorded in Nashville in collaboration with more traditional country artists, entitled "Will the Circle Be Unbroken".
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" was a collaboration album recorded in 1972 by the Dirt band with traditional artists such as Mother Maybelle Carter, Earl Scruggs, Doc Watson, Roy Acuff, Merle Watson, Jimmy Martin, Junior Huskey, Norman Blake, and Pete Oswald Kirby (known to Grand Ole Opry fans as Bashful Brother Oswald). Vassar Clements, not widely known then, was tapped for fiddle duties which led to greater notoriety and success for him.
"Will the Circle be Unbroken" featured classic bluegrass and folk standards written by A.P Carter, Doc Watson and others. The title comes from the song of the same name but indicates what the Dirt Band was trying to achieve. The long-haired boys from California were making an effort to reach out to the older veterans of American music and unite them in a divided America. Two other editions were released, one in the 1980s and another after September 11, 2001.
In July 1974 The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band was one of the headline acts at The Ozark Music Festival, at the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia, Missouri. Some estimates have put the crowd count at 350,000 people, which would make this one of the largest music events in history.
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's peak in popularity – at least on the radio — came during the mid- to late-1980s, when they charted a string of successful songs. Among the lot were three No. 1 singles: "Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)" (1984); "Modern Day Romance" (1985); and "Fishin' in the Dark" (1987). Other successful songs were "Dance Little Jean" (1983); "I Love Only You" (1984); "High Horse" (1985); "Home Again in My Heart," "Partners, Brothers and Friends" and "Stand a Little Rain" (1986); "Fire in the Sky," "Baby's Got a Hold on Me" and "Oh What a Love" (1987); "Working Man (Nowhere to Go)" and "I've Been Lookin'" (1988); and "Down That Road Tonight" and "When it's Gone" (1989).
The current members are:
* Bob Carpenter - keyboard, accordion, bass, and vocals (1977-present)
* Jimmie Fadden - drums, harmonica,guitar, washtub bass, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* Jeff Hanna - guitar, mandolin, drums, harmonica, bass, washboard, jug and vocals (1966-present)
* John McEuen - banjo, fiddle, guitar, mandolin, accordion washtub bass and vocals (1966-1986 & 2001-present)
Former members:
* Ralph Barr - guitar, clarinet and vocals (1966-1968)
* Merel Bregante - drums and percussion (1977-1979)
* Jackson Browne - guitar and vocals (1966)
* John Cable - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Jackie Clark - guitar, bass and vocals (1976-1977)
* Chris Darrow - fiddle, guitar, mandolin and vocals (1967-1968)
* Michael Gardner - drums (1980-1981)
* Al Garth - saxophone, fiddle, keyboard, percussion and vocals (1977-1981)
* Richard Hathaway - bass and vocals (1977-1981)
* Jimmy Ibbotson - guitar, bass, mandolin, piano, accordion, drums, flute and vocals (1968-1975 & 1982-2004)
* Bruce Kunkel - guitar, kazoo, vocals (1966-1967)
* Bernie Leadon - guitar, banjo, mandolin and vocals (1987-1989)
* Vic Mastrianni - drums (1980-1981)
* Les Thompson - guitar, bass, mandolin and vocals (1966-1973)
Little Angel
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Did I hear you calling?
I will be there right beside you
Before night is falling
For you I'd walk across the blazing sun
And when my time on earth is done...
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly if you want me to
Just as sure as the stars above us
We'll be together
I'll give you love that's everlasting
If it takes forever
I know that I can't stop the hands of time
But when it's up for you and I...
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly to get to you
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly if you want me to,
if you want me to
Little angel, are you lonely?
Did I hear you calling?
I will be there right beside you
Before night is falling
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly to get to you
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly if you want me to
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly to get to you
I'll fly, little angel
I'll fly if you want me to
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's song Little Angel is a beautiful love song that speaks to the dedication and commitment of the singer to their lover. The song starts by asking if the lover is lonely and if they called out for the singer. The singer reassures their lover that they will be there for them, right beside them before night falls. The singer then declares their willingness to do whatever it takes for their love, even walking across a blazing sun. The song then shifts to a promise of flying to be by their lover's side, even if they want the singer to.
The singer talks about the certainty of their love and being together, just as sure as the stars above. They promise their lover everlasting love and dedication, even if it takes forever. The singer admits that they cannot stop the hands of time, but promises to fly to their lover once their time on earth is done. The chorus repeats the promise to fly to their lover, and to do so if the lover wants them to.
Overall, the song is a beautiful declaration of love and commitment, promising to be there for their lover through thick and thin, to endure whatever it takes to be together.
Line by Line Meaning
Little angel, are you lonely?
Asking if the person (referred to as little angel) is feeling isolated or in need of emotional support
Did I hear you calling?
Wondering if the little angel is seeking help or reaching out for assistance
I will be there right beside you
Assuring the little angel that the singer will be physically and emotionally present to offer support
Before night is falling
Emphasizing the urgency and immediacy of the artist's commitment to helping the little angel
For you I'd walk across the blazing sun
Expressing the extent of the artist's devotion and willingness to endure extreme hardships or challenges for the little angel
And when my time on earth is done...
Alluding to the singer's mortality and suggesting their unwavering commitment to the little angel through life and death
I'll fly, little angel
Metaphorically conveying the singer's eagerness to help and do whatever it takes to assist the little angel
Just as sure as the stars above us
A simile comparing the unwavering nature of the stars to the artist's promise to always be there for the little angel
We'll be together
A comforting reassurance that the little angel will never be alone and that the artist will always be there for support
I'll give you love that's everlasting
A declaration of the artist's deep affection and dedication to the little angel, offering endless emotional support
If it takes forever
An unwavering promise to support and assist the little angel for as long as it takes, with no time limit
I know that I can't stop the hands of time
Acknowledging the artist's limitations and acceptance that they cannot control or manipulate time
But when it's up for you and I...
Alluding to the eventual mortality of both the little angel and the singer and suggesting that their bond will always transcend time and space
I'll fly if you want me to
Reiterating the singer's eagerness and willingness to help the little angel in any way possible
Little angel, are you lonely?
Repeating the initial question as a reminder of the little angel's emotional state and continued need for support
I'll fly to get to you
Emphasizing the artist's determination to reach the little angel and provide assistance as quickly as possible
I'll fly if you want me to
Reiterating the artist's commitment to helping the little angel in any capacity they need
Contributed by Kayla I. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Brandy Lynne
Yay!! Been waiting forever for this song to come on here!! Thank you!!!!
Guy Sharwood
Me too, Brandy!
Emily Rader
I wish someone could post the video they released for this. It was black and white and beautifully done.
Guy Sharwood
John to Jeff: "Ibby needs to tune his mandolin!"