In the rock (and roll) community, Bill Monroe may be best known via one of Elvis Presley's earliest recordings at Sun Records, that of Monroe's 'Blue Moon of Kentucky'. Patsy Cline also made a highly regarded version of this song.
All the Good Times Are Passed and Gone
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Or died when I was young
I never would have seen your sparkling blue eyes
Or heard your lying tongue
All the good times are past and gone
All the good times are o'er
All the good times are past and gone
Little darling don't weep no more
Don't you see that turtle dove
That flies from pine to pine
He's mourning for his own true love
Just like I mourn for mine
Come back, come back my own true love
And stay awhile with me
You've been that friend to me
The lyrics of "All the Good Times Are Passed and Gone" convey deep sorrow and nostalgia for a lost love. The singer expresses regret at ever being born or wishes to have died young, to avoid the pain of experiencing betrayal by someone with "lying tongue" and to have never met the person with "sparkling blue eyes." The use of these poetic and melancholic lines sets a somber tone for the rest of the song. The repetition of the phrase "All the good times are past and gone" emphasizes the sense of finality and loss that the singer feels, alluding to better times that have now vanished.
The imagery of the mourning turtle dove adds another layer of symbolism to the song. The bird symbolizes the universal theme of love and loss, as it mourns for its own true love just as the singer mourns for their own lost love. This comparison highlights the universality of heartbreak and the singer's deep emotional pain, connecting the personal grief to the larger natural world.
The plea for the return of the lost love in the lines "Come back, come back my own true love/And stay awhile with me" reveals the singer's desperate longing for reconciliation or closure. The nostalgia and yearning for the past love is palpable in these lines, as the singer acknowledges the unique and irreplaceable bond they shared with this person. The mention of the lost love as the singer's only true friend in the world further emphasizes the depth of their connection and the profound impact of the loss.
Overall, "All the Good Times Are Passed and Gone" captures the universal experience of heartbreak and longing for a lost love, while also showcasing the beauty and poignancy of bluegrass music. The lyrics touch on themes of regret, sorrow, and the enduring power of love and friendship, resonating with listeners who have experienced similar feelings of loss and yearning. The emotional depth and sincerity of the lyrics, combined with the soulful delivery of the song, make it a poignant and memorable addition to the bluegrass genre.
Line by Line Meaning
I wish to the lord I'd never been born
I deeply regret my existence
Or died when I was young
Even an early death would have been preferable
I never would have seen your sparkling blue eyes
Your beauty is now a painful memory
Or heard your lying tongue
I cannot forget your deceitful words
All the good times are past and gone
The happy moments have come to an end
All the good times are o'er
The joyful times are now over
All the good times are past and gone
The pleasant memories are gone
Little darling don't weep no more
Do not sorrow any longer, my dear
Don't you see that turtle dove
Observe that mourning bird
That flies from pine to pine
As it moves from tree to tree
He's mourning for his own true love
Just like I grieve for my lost love
Just like I mourn for mine
Similar to how I lament for my love
Come back, come back my own true love
Return to me, my beloved
And stay awhile with me
Remain by my side for a time
For if ever I've had a friend in this world
You have been my one true companion
You've been that friend to me
Your companionship has meant everything to me
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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