Barbara Keith began her career at the Café Wha? in Greenwich Village, following in the footsteps of Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, Bill Cosby and many others who got their start in that hallowed dive. She was soon recording for MGM/Verve, A&M, and Warner Brothers. Her songs have been covered by such diverse artists as Tanya Tucker, Barbra Streisand, The Dillards, Melanie, Hank Snow, Lowell George and others. “The Bramble and the Rose” has become a folk standard – often receiving the ultimate compliment of being mistaken for a traditional song.
Her husband Doug Tibbles had a whole other life before drumming – A native of Los Angeles, he was a TV writer for such shows as “The Munsters”, “Bewitched”, “Andy Griffith”, “My Three Sons”, “Family Affair”, and many more.
Unhappy with show business in general, Barbara gave back her major label advance, Doug quit his one-day-old job as story editor for “Happy Days”, and they went underground. Doug took up drums and son John took up bass at age eleven. Reclusive by choice, the band moved from L.A. to Western Massachusetts to write and woodshed. They began playing the occasional show while recording in their cellar.
When best selling author Elmore Leonard (“Get Shorty”, “Jackie Brown”, “Out of Sight”) walked in the Troubadour in L.A. one night looking for inspiration for his sequel to “Get Shorty”, he discovered The Stone Coyotes.
They became the model for Chili Palmer’s next adventure, “Be Cool”. Leonard said, “ It was music I could understand…straight ahead rock and roll with a twang. And there are good stories going on in the songs.” He included their lyrics in the book and dedicated it to them. He and the band made a string of appearances together around the country with a Words and Music Tour – from New York’s Mercury Lounge to L.A.’s Viper Room.
More recently with five songs on "Dog the Bounty Hunter", they gained national attention, but it is the grass roots, word-of-mouth response to their music that continues their momentum.
“The Stone Coyotes are a rare wild beast in a domesticated music industry.”
- Rolling Stone Online
“The Stone Coyotes’ hefty sound melds AC/DC’s charging power chords with a country troubadour’s literate observations.”
- New York Magazine
“The Stone Coyotes crank out unpretentious rock that has grime on its fingers and transcendence in its heart.”
- The Nashville Scene
“Poised to be the coolest husband-wife-and-son rock and roll trio ever…Those wary of a hype short on substance should rest assured – this family has the chops to back it up.”
- The L. A. Weekly
“Powerful and gritty, with just a hint of sweetness and sorrow.”
- Real Detroit Weekly
“Likely one of the festival’s best discoveries… The Stone Coyotes rocked and shocked the Horseshoe audience Saturday night with their AC/DC meets Patsy Cline sound.”
- Toronto Now
Where the Old Oak Grows
The Stone Coyotes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Will you give me till the break of day?
Heaven help me for the fate I chose
Down where the old oak grows
Mama met me at the door that night
She said, "There's blood on your hands and your face is all white"
"Don't ask me, Mama - nobody knows
Where the old oak grows at the bend in the river
One dark night there was a breach of trust (tale of lust)
Mama, don't weep for me
It's an eye for an eye and dust to dust
See those people, they are gathered around
There's a man lyin' dead on the ground
"Where'd they find him?" "You don't want to know"
"Tell me - not down where the old oak grows"
Well, he held me down and he had his way
He said there'd be no wedding day
In a flash of anger I pulled my knife
God forgive me, I took his life
Hear the wagon wheels rollin' at dawn
Six white horses come to carry me on
Say a little prayer for the fate I chose
And bury me down where the old oak grows
The Stone Coyotes’ song Where the Old Oak Grows tells the story of a woman who takes matters into her own hands when her fiancé threatens her with no wedding day. She kills him in a fit of anger and, fearing for her life, waits until dawn to flee the town. The song takes place in a small Southern town where people are aware of everyone’s business, but nobody dares to speak up about what happens down by the old oak. The old oak becomes a symbol of secrecy and the consequences of one’s actions. The woman seems to be at peace with her decision and accepts her fate. She asks for her mother’s forgiveness and that she be buried where the old oak grows.
The story told by The Stone Coyotes in Where the Old Oak Grows is a powerful one, and it is full of symbolism and meaning. The old oak tree represents a place where secrets and consequences are buried. It is a reminder that every action has a reaction, and that sometimes we have to face the consequences of our choices. The song shows the danger of toxic masculinity and how it can lead to violence against women. Instead of waiting for someone else to solve her problems, the woman decides to take matters into her own hands, and in doing so, becomes a symbol of strength and power.
Line by Line Meaning
Hangman, put that rope away
I plead with the hangman to hold off on executing me, just until sunrise.
Will you give me till the break of day?
Please spare my life long enough for the sun to rise and shed light on this situation.
Heaven help me for the fate I chose
I'm aware of the consequences of my actions and pray for divine intervention.
Down where the old oak grows
The location of the tragic event that led to my actions, a place that holds significance and memory.
Mama met me at the door that night
My mother was there to witness my arrival home after the incident.
She said, 'There's blood on your hands and your face is all white'
My mother observed the physical evidence of my involvement in the event, and was likely in shock.
"Don't ask me, Mama - nobody knows
What went down where the old oak grows"
I refuse to divulge the details of the event that took place, not even to my mother.
Where the old oak grows at the bend in the river
The location of the event that took place - a secluded and significant spot by the river.
One dark night there was a breach of trust (tale of lust)
The details of the event involve a violation of trust or infidelity, leading up to the deadly confrontation.
Mama, don't weep for me
It's an eye for an eye and dust to dust
My mother should not mourn me as I was avenging a wrong-doing and now must face the consequences.
See those people, they are gathered around
There's a man lyin' dead on the ground
Onlookers have gathered to view the aftermath of the event, implying that justice may soon be served.
"Where'd they find him?" "You don't want to know"
"Tell me - not down where the old oak grows"
The question of where the victim was found is answered with a warning not to ask, and a plea not to associate the event with the significant location.
Well, he held me down and he had his way
He said there'd be no wedding day
In a flash of anger I pulled my knife
God forgive me, I took his life
I was fueled by anger and desperation when I took the life of my attacker, who had previously denied me a chance at a fulfilling life.
Hear the wagon wheels rollin' at dawn
Six white horses come to carry me on
Say a little prayer for the fate I chose
And bury me down where the old oak grows
I am being led to my execution, and ask that those who remember me say a prayer for my soul and bury me in the place that holds significance to me.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: KEITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind