From beginnings as an informal jamming unit during treks through the peaks of the Front Range, Trout Steak Revival has evolved into one of Colorado’s most tightly knit, hard-driving bluegrass bands. Their brand of heartfelt songwriting blends dynamic musicianship with intricately woven harmonies, all tied together with the unmistakable sound of their years of friendship.
Whether playing in sweat-soaked clubs or at beautiful mountain festivals, the five-piece has shown a tenacity for quick-picking and all the right polish without sacrificing the raw feeling of well-executed bluegrass. Keeping an eye on traditions of the past but boldly forging into new territory, Trout Steak Revival takes us back to memories of whiskey, laughter, and the misty high country where the band was born.
Darling Corey
Trout Steak Revival Lyrics
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What makes you sleep so sound
The revenue officers are coming
Gonna tear your still house down
Well the first time saw darling Corey
She was sitting on the banks of the sea
A forty-four around her bodyAnd a banjo on her knee
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
I'm gonna lay my darling Corey down
Well, the next time I saw Darlin' Corey
She was standin' at the still-house door
Her boots and a stockin's in her hand
Her little bare feet on the floor.
Go away go away darling Corey
Won't you quit hanging around my bed
Corn liquor's has ruined my body
Pretty women have gone to my head
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
I'm gonna lay my darling Corey down
Can't you hear those bluebirds a singing
Crying that mournful sound
They're preaching Corey's funeral
In some lonesome graveyard ground
So wake up wake up Darlin Corey
Go on and get me my gun
I'm no man for fightin'
I'll die before I run
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
I'm gonna lay my darling Corey down
The lyrics to Trout Steak Revival's song "Darling Corey" tell the story of a woman named Corey who is in trouble with the law for illegally distilling liquor. The singer is urging her to wake up and be alert because the revenue officers are coming to tear down her still house. The song then takes a flashback to when the singer first met Corey sitting by the sea, armed with a banjo and a gun. The chorus emphasizes the theme of death, as the singer talks about digging a hole in the cold ground to lay down his darling Corey.
The next verse depicts a scene where Corey is at the still-house door with stockings in her hand and bare feet on the floor. The singer expresses his desire for her to leave him alone because he has been ruined by corn liquor and pretty women. The final verse reveals that Corey has died and bluebirds are singing a mournful sound, preaching her funeral in a lonesome graveyard ground. The singer asks Corey to wake up and get him his gun but admits he is no man for fighting and would rather die than run away.
Line by Line Meaning
Wake up, wake up darling Corey
Come on, Corey, wake up from your sleep
What makes you sleep so sound
Why are you sleeping so deeply
The revenue officers are coming
The agents who collect taxes are on their way
Gonna tear your still house down
They are going to destroy your illegal brewery
Well the first time I saw darling Corey
The initial moment I laid my eyes on you, Corey
She was sitting on the banks of the sea
Corey was sitting by the ocean
A forty-four around her body
She had a revolver strapped onto her body
And a banjo on her knee
Corey was playing a banjo
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Let's dig a grave in the field
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Let's dig a hole in the icy ground
I'm gonna lay my darling Corey down
I'm going to bury my beloved Corey
Well, the next time I saw Darlin' Corey
The subsequent time I saw Corey
She was standin' at the still-house door
Corey was at the entrance of the illegal brewery
Her boots and a stockin's in her hand
She had her boots and stockings in her hand
Her little bare feet on the floor
Corey was standing with naked feet
Go away go away darling Corey
Please Corey, go away and leave me alone
Won't you quit hanging around my bed
Please stop bothering me in my bed
Corn liquor's has ruined my body
Alcohol made from corn has had a negative impact on my health
Pretty women have gone to my head
Beautiful women have clouded my mind
Can't you hear those bluebirds a singing
Can you not hear the sad songs being sung by the bluebirds
Crying that mournful sound
Creating a sound of sadness
They're preaching Corey's funeral
The birds are lamenting Corey's death
In some lonesome graveyard ground
In a desolate cemetery
So wake up wake up Darlin Corey
So Corey, please wake up
Go on and get me my gun
Bring me my firearm
I'm no man for fightin'
I do not wish to engage in combat
I'll die before I run
I'd rather die than flee
Dig a hole, dig a hole in the meadow
Let's dig a grave in the field
Dig a hole in the cold, cold ground
Let's dig a hole in the icy ground
I'm gonna lay my darling Corey down
I'm going to bury my beloved Corey
Contributed by Mateo L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.