Bill Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) developed the style of… Read Full Bio ↴Bill Monroe (September 13, 1911 – September 9, 1996) developed the style of country music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for his home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader. He is often referred to as "the father of bluegrass."

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.

Live and Let Live
Bill Monroe Lyrics

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They tell me that you are going away
What makes you want to leave?
You gave me your love and you gave me your vow
Now you're leavin' me here to grieve

Live and let live, don't break my heart
Don't leave me here to cry
I never could live if we should part

Tell me you don't mean goodbye

Stayed awake last night and I walked the floor
What makes you treat me so?
Live and let live, don't break my heart
I don't want to live if you go

You're the one who's made me love you so
You're the one who's makin' me cry

You're the one who'd break my heart if you go
Tell me you don't mean goodbye

Overall Meaning

This song by bluegrass legend Bill Monroe, "Live and Let Live," is a plea from a lover to their departing partner to reconsider their decision to leave. The song opens with the despairing observation that "they" (presumably mutual acquaintances) have informed the singer that their lover is going away. The singer pleads with their beloved, asking why they would want to leave after having given their love and vow of commitment. The chorus urges the lover to "live and let live," not to break the singer's heart: "Don't leave me here to grieve / I never could live if we should part / Tell me you don't mean goodbye."

The second verse reveals that the singer has spent a sleepless night grieving their lover's decision, and begs them not to "break my heart," insisting that they "don't want to live if you go." The final verse is a more direct appeal to the lover's sympathies: "You're the one who's made me love you so / You're the one who's making me cry / You're the one who'd break my heart if you go / Tell me you don't mean goodbye." The song strikes a plaintive note, embodying the universal experience of heartbreak and the desperation that often accompanies it.

Line by Line Meaning

They tell me that you are going away
I have heard rumors that you plan on leaving me.

What makes you want to leave?
Please tell me the reason why you want to end our relationship.

You gave me your love and you gave me your vow Now you're leavin' me here to grieve
You promised me your love, but now you're breaking your vow and leaving me to suffer.

Live and let live, don't break my heart Don't leave me here to cry I never could live if we should part Tell me you don't mean goodbye
Please have mercy on me and don't end our relationship. My happiness depends on you, so assure me that you won't leave me.

Stayed awake last night and I walked the floor What makes you treat me so? Live and let live, don't break my heart I don't want to live if you go
I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about the prospect of you leaving me. Please don't hurt me like this. Without you, life wouldn't be worth living.

You're the one who's made me love you so You're the one who's makin' me cry You're the one who'd break my heart if you go Tell me you don't mean goodbye
It is your love that has captured my heart and caused me to love you. Now, you're the one who's making me suffer. Your departure would be like breaking my heart into pieces. I beg you to tell me that you don't plan on leaving me.

Lyrics © Peermusic Publishing
Written by: GENE SULLIVAN, WILEY WALKER

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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