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.
On the Old Kentucky Shore
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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Down by the Church of God
I looked upon the one I love
That would soon be covered with sod
Up along the Ohio River
Over on the old Kentucky shore
Once dwelled a fair young maiden
The angels took my darling
God needed the one I loved
I reached the old Kentucky shore today
I'll make my plans and meet her up above
The last words that my darling said
Was tell the one I love goodbye
I would like to see him before I go
But I'll meet him in the sky
Bill Monroe's song "On the Old Kentucky Shore" is a mournful ballad about saying goodbye to a loved one who has passed away. The song's narrator has gone to the graveyard near the Church of God to pay his respects to the woman he loved, who is about to be buried. The lyrics convey a deep sense of sadness and loss as the singer realizes he will never see his beloved again. The refrain, which is repeated throughout the song, speaks to the fact that the woman has passed from this world into the next: "I'll meet her up above."
The song also reflects on the place where the woman lived and died. The Ohio River and the old Kentucky Shore are central to the song's imagery, suggesting that the woman was from a rural, perhaps impoverished, area. The phrase "Now there's a crepe upon her door" evokes a sense of somber solemnity, as if the entire community is mourning the loss of someone they cherished. The fact that the woman's last words were "tell the one I love goodbye" adds to the sense of tragedy. Despite the singer's grief and sadness, however, the song ultimately ends on a note of hope. He believes that he will see his beloved again in the afterlife, and that he will be reunited with her in heaven.
Line by Line Meaning
I walked out to the graveyard
I went to the cemetery
Down by the Church of God
It was located near the Church of God
I looked upon the one I love
I saw the person I loved
That would soon be covered with sod
That was about to be buried
Up along the Ohio River
Along the Ohio River
Over on the old Kentucky shore
On the old Kentucky riverbank
Once dwelled a fair young maiden
A beautiful young woman once lived there
Now there's a crepe upon her door
But now there's a crepe hanging on her door, signaling her death
The angels took my darling
My beloved passed away and was taken to heaven by the angels
God needed the one I loved
God wanted my loved one with Him
I reached the old Kentucky shore today
I arrived at the old Kentucky riverbank today
I'll make my plans and meet her up above
I plan to make arrangements and reunite with her in heaven
The last words that my darling said
My beloved's final words were
Was tell the one I love goodbye
To say goodbye to the one I love
I would like to see him before I go
I wish to see him before I pass away
But I'll meet him in the sky
But I know we'll meet again in heaven
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind