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.
Let Me Rest At The End Of The Day
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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I'm weary, tired, and old
Let me rest at the end of my journey
Heaven is my home and my goal
Old paint is tired, his feet are all sore
We'll ride the range no more
Let me rest at the end of my journey
A cowboy's life on the old Texas trail
Herding doggies is all that he knows
A cowboy's life on the old cattle trail
Leads from Texas to old Mexico
The song "Let Me Rest at the End of My Journey" by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys is a poignant ballad that speaks to the experience of a weary, aged cowboy near the end of his life. The opening lines, "Let me rest at the end of my journey / I'm weary, tired, and old," establish a mournful, introspective tone that continues throughout the song. The cowboy in question is tired of the rough riding and hard work of his life on the trail, and is ready for his journey to end so that he can find peace and rest in Heaven.
The second stanza of the song further outlines the cowboy's weariness, as it describes his faithful horse Old Paint as being "tired" and with "feet all sore." The cowboy and his horse have traveled many miles and faced many challenges together, but now they are both ready to lay down their burdens and find their rest. The repetition of the refrain "Heaven is my home and my goal" drives home the idea that the cowboy has a strong faith in God and is looking forward to the afterlife.
Overall, "Let Me Rest at the End of My Journey" is a beautifully written and performed song that captures the essence of the cowboy experience in a way that is both honest and reverent. It speaks to the hardships of life on the trail, as well as to the importance of faith and hope in uncertain times.
Line by Line Meaning
Let me rest at the end of my journey
I have traveled far and wide, and now I long for a peaceful resting place.
I'm weary, tired, and old
My body and soul are tired from the many experiences I've had throughout my life.
Heaven is my home and my goal
I have lived my life with the hope of reaching heaven, which I see as my true home.
Old paint is tired, his feet are all sore
Even my trusted horse is exhausted from our travels, and I can see that he needs rest as well.
We'll ride the range no more
I realize that my days of riding across the open range are over, and I must accept this change in my life.
A cowboy's life on the old Texas trail
I have spent much of my life as a cowboy, following the path of the old Texas trail.
Herding doggies is all that he knows
For a cowboy, herding cattle is the only life he knows and the only job he has ever had.
A cowboy's life on the old cattle trail
I have spent many years on the old cattle trail, guiding herds of cattle from Texas to Mexico.
Leads from Texas to old Mexico
The trail from Texas to Mexico is long and difficult, but it is one that I have traveled many times in my life.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
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TyeeHox
Thanks Butch. One of my big hits, "The horse with the tired feet" as it used to get requested.