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.
Careless Love
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Love oh love careless love
Love oh love oh careless love
See what careless love has done
Once I wore my apron low
Once I wore my apron low
Once I wore my apron low
What oh what will mama say
What oh what will mama say
What oh what will mama say
When she learns I've gone astray
I love my mama and papa too
I love my mama and papa too
I love my mama and papa too
See what I get for lovin' you
Now I wear my apron high
Now I wear my apron high
Now I wear my apron high
You pass my door you walk on by
The lyrics of Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys' song "Careless Love" are a lamentation of the singer's heartbreak and regret caused by careless love. The repeated refrain of "Love oh love, careless love" highlights the theme of how love can be reckless and thoughtless, causing pain and heartbreak. The singer reflects on the changes in their life since they fell in love, particularly the wearing of the apron, which symbolizes the traditional role of a woman as a homemaker. The line "I couldn't keep you from my door" suggests that the singer was powerless to resist the pull of love, even though it caused her to disrupt her traditional role in society.
The second stanza reflects the singer's anxiety about the judgment of their mother, who is represented as a figure of authority and respect. The fear of what Mama will say when she learns of the singer's infidelity indicates that the singer recognizes their actions go against the morals and expectations of their community. Finally, the singer expresses their love for their parents and laments that they have disappointed them by pursuing this reckless love.
Line by Line Meaning
Love oh love careless love
Love, love, oh how careless it can be
See what careless love has done
Look at the mess that lovelessness has made
Once I wore my apron low
I used to be more vulnerable and open to you
I couldn't keep you from my door
I was too weak to reject you even though it may be harmful
What oh what will mama say
What kind of disappointment have I caused my mother now?
When she learns I've gone astray
When she hears that I have lost my way
I love my mama and papa too
I care for and appreciate both of my parents
See what I get for lovin' you
This is what happens when I am careless with my love
Now I wear my apron high
I have learned from my mistakes and am more guarded
You pass my door you walk on by
If you come around now, I won't let you in or acknowledge you
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ANGELO BADALAMENTI, JOHN MAYBURY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Harold Armstrong
Certainly a hero of many a 5 stringer players. Loved all his music through many, many years!!
R
Wow! Effortless and beautiful!
calarasu Ion
Yes original country. Thank you.
Fabio Gutierrez
🤗💓🎼💯
graham “Gus” bull
Magic!
gacitizen2
Wow, they're all there in one place, nice.
pattymac822
J. D., this is your long lost cousin, Patricia Crowe McDavid. Love hearing you again.
campa cp
First🥰
OG DEADSHOT
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