About The Song
In the vast tapestry of American music, few genres capture the spirit of adventure and wanderlust quite like country and folk. And when these traditions intertwine, as they do in The Oak Ridge Boys’ rendition of Up On Cripple Creek, the result is a musical journey that resonates with the soul.
Originally penned and performed by The Band, a legendary Canadian-American roots rock group, Up On Cripple Creek is a rollicking tale of a man’s escapades as he travels the countryside, encountering colorful characters and experiencing the joys and tribulations of life on the road.
The Oak Ridge Boys, with their signature blend of country, gospel, and pop influences, infuse the song with a unique energy that sets it apart from the original. Their harmonies, honed over decades of performing together, are rich and vibrant, adding layers of depth and emotion to the narrative.
What makes this rendition particularly compelling is the way in which The Oak Ridge Boys capture the essence of the song’s protagonist. They embody the spirit of a free-spirited traveler, someone who embraces the open road and the unknown possibilities it holds.
The instrumentation is lively and infectious, with a driving rhythm that compels you to tap your feet and sing along. The interplay between the banjo, guitar, and drums creates a dynamic backdrop for the vocals, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the song.
Up On Cripple Creek is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a reflection on the human experience. It speaks to the universal desire for freedom, the thrill of exploration, and the search for meaning in life’s journey.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ interpretation of this classic is a testament to their versatility as artists. They seamlessly blend their signature sound with the folk-rock sensibilities of the original, creating a rendition that is both familiar and refreshingly new.
So, whether you’re a long-time admirer of The Oak Ridge Boys or a newcomer to their musical prowess, take a moment to embark on a sonic adventure with Up On Cripple Creek. It’s a song that will transport you to another time and place, evoking memories of carefree days and the allure of the open road.
Video
Lyric
When I get off of this mountain, you know where I want to go?Straight down the Mississippi river, to the Gulf of MexicoTo Lake Charles, Louisiana, little Bessie, girl that I once knewShe told me just to come on by, if there’s anything she could doUp on Cripple Creek she sends meIf I spring a leak she mends meI don’t have to speak, she defends meA drunkard’s dream if I ever did see oneGood luck had just stung me, to the race track I did goShe bet on one horse to win and I bet on another to showThe odds were in my favor, I had ’em five to oneWhen that nag to win came around the track, sure enough she had wonUp on Cripple Creek she sends meIf I spring a leak she mends meI don’t have to speak, she defends meA drunkard’s dream if I ever did see oneI took up all of my winnings, and I gave my little Bessie halfAnd she tore it up and threw it in my face, just for a laughNow there’s one thing in the whole wide world, I sure would like to seeThat’s when that little love of mine, dips her doughnut in my teaUp on Cripple Creek she sends meIf I spring a leak she mends meI don’t have to speak, she defends meA drunkard’s dream if I ever did see oneNow me and my mate were back at the shack, we had Spike Jones on the boxShe said, “I can’t take the way he sings, but I love to hear him talk”Now that just gave my heart a throb, to the bottom of my feetAnd I swore and I took another pull, my Bessie can’t be beatNow there’s a flood out in California and up north it’s freezing coldAnd this living on the road is getting pretty oldSo I guess I’ll call up my big mama, tell her I’ll be rolling inBut you know, deep down, I’m kind of temptedTo go and see my Bessie again.Up on Cripple Creek she sends meIf I spring a leak she mends meI don’t have to speak, she defends meA drunkard’s dream if I ever did see one