Today’s post was written by Paul.
We started this year’s series with a story about a building that stood the test of time because of its firm foundation and how it was built. For contrast, I selected the song “Darby’s Castle” which is about a building that collapsed because the family’s foundation lacked love that was true, full, and sound. This is one of Kris Kristofferson’s lesser known songs, but I think it’s among his best.
Pap told me that he heard that Kristofferson taught English Literature at West Point Academy. For this upload, I checked to see if that was correct. According to Google, Kristofferson was offered a teaching job at West Point, but he declined and chose to leave the military when his service commitment ended.
He left the military because he wanted to write country songs for a living. Although he never taught at West Point, I think many would agree that Kristofferson is among the most intelligent/literary song writers in country music history.
Kristofferson was a very interesting man. I also heard stories from Pap and others that he once landed a helicopter in Johnny Cash’s yard in order to pitch a song to him. It’s true that Kristofferson flew a chopper to Cash’s house and landed in his yard; however, he and Cash knew each other well at that point and were friends, so it wasn’t quite the gambit portrayed in the legend.
Like other country singers, Kristofferson tried his hand at acting. In my opinion, he’s among the few who were successful to the point where the viewer no longer thought of him as a singer while watching him on screen. In other words, his acting could stand on its on and make you forget about his music, at least for the course of the movie.
Kristofferson performed with the Highwaymen (along with Willie, Waylon, and Johnny C). In a documentary that I watched, it was noted how Kristofferson and Willie were more health conscious than Cash or Jennings. When the tour bus stopped in towns for food, Willie would find a corner in a lobby and do calisthenics. While Waylon and Johnny consumed large quantities of biscuits and gravy, Kristofferson would jog ahead along the roadside in the direction the bus would later travel. After they had loaded up and traveled several miles, they would pick up Kristofferson on the roadside. This has nothing to do with his songwriting or this song. I just find it interesting, and Kristofferson’s fitness level doesn’t quite fit the schema that most people have for country singers.
One could say that the theme of “Darby’s Castle” is that money won’t buy happiness. I think it could be a little more complex than that.
In 1992, a fellow named Chapman published a very successful and influential book about different love languages. A co-worker recommended the book to me. I read it and found it pretty interesting. Basically, people show love to each other in different ways. For instance, a mother might not regularly tell her family that she loves them, but if she works hard to make the house nice or to prepare food, that may be her way of saying it. Another person might communicate love through financial provision. Still others might communicate love verbally or through physical touch.
Problems don’t necessarily arise when couples have differing love languages. They arise when one or both fail to recognize and appreciate the other person’s love language.
The wife of a good friend of mine divorced him because he was always busy as a very successful basketball coach. He told me after they divorced, “I thought I was doing the right thing, providing for my family. I see now that I wasn’t present for my wife.”
Somewhat similarly, Darby thought he was showing his love through the grandeur of the home he made for his wife. However, like my friend’s coaching, it went too far. Darby failed to realize that his wife would have placed greater value on verbal expressions of love, physical intimacy, or other love languages.
Many artists have covered this song, but my favorite version is the original by Kristofferson. There’s a great video on YouTube of him singing it live on Austin City Limits. My second favorite version is by the Country Gentlemen. When they recorded the song, Doyle Lawson was the band’s mandolin player. Lawson’s kick-off to “Darby’s Castle” is one of the best mandolin kick-offs I’ve heard.
The Country Gentlemen, like most other artists, sped the song up and straightened out the rhythm. Kristofferson and Charlie Waller (lead singer for the Country Gentlemen) both sang “Cecil Darby loved his wife.” I chose to go with “Cecil Darby had a wife.” I chose that wording because it plays upon the idea of Darby’s love being in question…because of how it was/was not expressed.
I hope you enjoyed this story song and that you weren’t too bummed out by it! Next week, we’ll have a more upbeat story song, Lord willing. Thanks for watching!
Paul
Original singles released on Spotify.
Shepherd of My Soul (Album released in 2016).
The Wilson Brothers Words of Life Album released in the 70s.
Nice song Paul, really enjoyed your take of it!
I’m a big fan of the late Kris Kristofferson. I never heard him sing this. I’ll check out his rendition, but Paul, yours is lovely rendition to me. The song is sad, but beautiful to listen to. Love and blessings, today, tomorrow and always to all the Acorns and the Wilson and Presley families.
I heard this first by Shawn Mullins. I didn’t know Kristofferson wrote it, but I’m not surprised. Here’s that version/ https://www.google.com/search?q=shawn+darby%27s+casrle&rlz=1C1RXQR_enUS1152US1152&oq=shawn+darby%27s+casrle&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIJCAEQIRgKGKABMgkIAhAhGAoYoAEyCQgDECEYChigATIGCAQQIRgKMgcIBRAhGI8CMgcIBhAhGI8C0gEKMTU2MzNqMGoxNagCCLACAfEFf_GAUOD4JoY&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:5e189e22,vid:nfh87KVawPQ,st:0
You did a great job with that song, Paul. I miss your singing with your mom. She had such a sweet voice.
Kris Kristopherson is a favorite of mine. I love all the older singers. Very few of the new ones, although I do try to give them a chance.
I heard this song several years ago on the “Goin’ across the mountain” radio show, but it was Alan Bibey & Grasstowne’s version. I really like the way they sing it. I don’t think it’s all that sad of a song. The songs that get to me are the ones about dogs or children. Those will have me tore up every time!
I always love hearing you sing and play, Paul. I don’t recall ever hearing this song before. You did a beautiful job with it!
Hi Paul. Country music seems to thrive on relationship problems. It’s a beautiful song. I love your version.
This was a great song, Paul. It made me think of “The Dangling Conversation ” by Simon and Garfunkel speaking of a married couple that had grown apart… so sad. Thanks for the history. I had no idea about Kristofferson’s military/educational background. That was so interesting to me. As always, I enjoyed your singing. Looking forward to more, from SC ♥️
Thank you for the song and the history. I have always enjoyed movies and songs by Kris Kristofferson. You did a great job singing.
Kris Kristofferson was really an amazing writer. I think that was his strength as opposed to singing and acting–but nevertheless, I still admired his skills and personality. I don’t think I’ve heard that song before, but it sure goes to prove that people show their love in different ways. Thank you for sharing and hope you are getting along okay. I know how you spent a lot of time staying with and taking care of Granny–so I know you are lonesome for her. Pretend I am giving you a big hug around the neck. That’s what my daddy would say to me when we were talking on the phone and not near one another.
Thank you Paul, I in really enjoyed the history & the sad song.
Seems to me that many older men believed that providing financially was all they needed to do. Generations since have realized that emotional connection to spouses & children make for a more rich & full life for all.
I’ve always been an admirer of Kris. There’s perhaps no stronger indication of his powerful intellect than the fact he was a Rhodes Scholar. His many and widely varied talents made him the modern equivalent of a Renaissance man. Although I’m not exactly qualified to make much of a judgment on the subject, I’ve always thought his singing skills were just sound rather than exceptional. I’m appreciably better qualified to evaluate his abilities as a wordsmith/songwriter. Quite simply, they are extraordinary.
I hadn’t heard this song in some time so I’m pleased as punch you chose it.
Thank you, Paul, for the story of this song and of Kris, who was one of my fav’s. Not much has changed to this day on how love is expressed between couples or within the family – what one thinks speaks love might not be how the other person feels of hears it.
I have always loved this song. Great job.
Roy Pipes wrote about Darby too!
Bummed out? Are you kidding?
Your stories and songs are far from it.
Thanks for this fascinating look into Kristoffersons life and music. I have always loved the highwaymen and with age learned more about Kristofferson being a part of them (but not seen often at that time) I recognized him in “A Star is Born” and with the song Evergreen, and learned about his connection to them then. I agree, Kristofferson was a unique man. His life was one of mystery, IMO. Playing Whistler in the blade series with vampires? An odd choice indeed. But he played it well.
Thanks again Paul. It’s always good to hear from you.
I’ll be looking at these videos soon.
I know where there is an actual Darby’s Castle. It sits beside a busy US highway, visible for about a half mile away north or south. It was planned-to-be a big two-story house. The window openings now only show sky and the walls have turned black in the weather. He worked by day for necessities and built at night, getting close to having it dried in. She left him suddenly and he walked away. I heard it said he vowed he’d never strike another lick at it. I understand how some things just take the heart out of a body. No matter the who or the what or the how or the why, it is always such a tragedy. We humans have been subject to such since the Fall in the garden.
Learning more about the writer and singer enhances the song in many ways. Thanks for sharing all this with others, Paul. And to hear your interpretation only adds to the lyrics and music. Keep up the good work.
good morning Paul, thank you for the story , thank you for the song, praise God I got to see my brother yesterday, I got to hug him, I got to pray with him and for him, God bless you Paul, thank you for praying,
Thank you Paul for another in depth look at a song, it’s writer, and in this case it’s singer. One of my favorite bands is the Highwaymen. What amazed me about Kris is that he was also a Rhodes Scholar. His songs show the depth if his learning. “Sunday Morning Coming Down” is one of my favorites. Again Paul thank you for a wonderful blog. May God continue to bless you.
I don’t remember ever hearing this song. Thank you for the history lesson. I love that about your segments. Great job singing it!
Wow! That’s so true nowadays too. So sad.