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)
We Three Kings
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Bearing gifts we travel so far
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
Following yonder star
Oh star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain
Gifts we bring to crown him again
King forever, ceasing never
Over us all to reign
Oh star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
Guide us to that perfect light
Oh star of wonder, star of night
Star with royal beauty bright
Westward leading still proceeding
Guide us to that perfect light
Guide us to that perfect light
Guide us to that perfect light
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band's rendition of "We Three Kings" paints a vivid picture of the Magi's journey to see the newborn king, as described in the biblical story of the Epiphany. The three wise men, or Kings, from the Orient, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, travel through rough terrain, as they follow a star that leads them to Bethlehem. The descriptive words in the lyrics such as "field and fountain, moor and mountain" conjure up images of their treacherous journey through varied landscapes. The star, which is a symbol of hope, is described as having "royal beauty bright" and leading them westward towards the perfect light, which represents the Christ child.
The repetition of the final verse encapsulates the aim of the journey, which is to find and worship the perfect light. This simplicity of the lyrics is reflective of the infectious melody of the song, making it a favorite during the Christmas season. Additionally, the song highlights the true meaning of gift-giving during Christmas as the gifts presented by the wise men signify their reverence and adoration.
Line by Line Meaning
We three kings of Orient are
We, the trio of wise men from the East are on a journey
Bearing gifts we travel so far
We carry valuable presents for the newborn King we seek as we venture a great distance
Field and fountain, moor and mountain
We brave dangerous terrains such as rough fields, flowing waters, open wastelands and towering cliffs
Following yonder star
We follow the leading star that glows brighter than any seen before
Oh star of wonder, star of night
Oh, what a wondrous and miraculous star shining in the darkness of night
Star with royal beauty bright
A star with regal, stunning and radiant beauty
Westward leading still proceeding
It continues to guide us towards the west, and we journey ever onwards
Guide us to that perfect light
Lead us to where the most excellent light shines
Born a king on Bethlehem's plain
Born a royal King on a simple shepherd's field in Bethlehem
Gifts we bring to crown him again
We present our valuable gifts to coronate King Jesus once again
King forever, ceasing never
Jesus, our King, rules forever and inexorably, without end
Over us all to reign
He reigns over us all as King of kings and Lord of lords
Guide us to that perfect light
Lead us to where the most excellent light shines
Guide us to that perfect light
Lead us to where the most excellent light shines
Guide us to that perfect light
Lead us to where the most excellent light shines
Contributed by Lila P. Suggest a correction in the comments below.