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.
Put My Little Shoes Away
Bill Monroe Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
For I'm growing very weak
Let one drop of water, Mother,
Fall upon my burning cheek
Go and tell my little playmates
That I never more will play
Give them all my toys, but Mother,
You will do this won't you Mother?
Please remember what I say
Give them all my toys, but Mother,
Put my little shoes away
Santa Claus he brought them to me
With a lot of other things
And I thought he brought an angel
With a pair of golden wings
Soon the baby will be larger
And they'll fit his little feet
Won't he look so nice and funny
As he walks upon the street
You will do this won't you Mother?
Please remember what I say
Give them all my toys, but Mother,
Put my little shoes away
The lyrics to Bill Monroe's song "Put My Little Shoes Away" is a heart-wrenching story of a child who is on the verge of death. The child asks their mother to bathe their forehead, for they're growing very weak, and they request that one drop of water fall upon their burning cheek. The child then proceeds to ask their mother to tell their little playmates that they will never play again and to give them all their toys. However, the child doesn't want their little shoes to be given away. Instead, they ask their mother to put them away safely. The child believes that their baby sibling will fit into the shoes soon and look nice and funny as they walk upon the street.
The lyrics of "Put My Little Shoes Away" evoke feelings of grief and loss, highlighting the fragility of life. As the child faces the end of their journey and the possibility of leaving behind everything they've ever known, they cling to something familiar - their little shoes. The lyrics are also reflective of times past, as the theme of childhood mortality was all too familiar during the early 20th century. The song is a reminder of the hardships faced by many families and their children at that time.
Line by Line Meaning
Now, come and bathe my forehead, Mother
I am feeling very weak, could you come and help me freshen up?
For I'm growing very weak
I am not feeling well and am becoming weaker.
Let one drop of water, Mother,
Could you give me some water to drink or place a damp cloth on my forehead to help with my fever?
Fall upon my burning cheek
I have a fever and my cheeks are hot and burning.
Go and tell my little playmates
Could you please inform my friends that I won't be able to play with them anymore?
That I never more will play
I won't be able to play anymore.
Give them all my toys, but Mother,
Please give my friends all my toys except for my little shoes.
Put my little shoes away
Please keep my little shoes in a safe place.
You will do this won't you Mother?
Could you promise me that you'll do these things, Mother?
Please remember what I say
Please don't forget what I've asked of you.
Santa Claus he brought them to me
I received these shoes from Santa Claus as a gift.
With a lot of other things
I also received other gifts along with these shoes.
And I thought he brought an angel
These shoes were very special to me and I thought they were a gift from an angel.
With a pair of golden wings
I thought the shoes had golden wings on them, which made them even more special.
Soon the baby will be larger
As time passes, my younger sibling will grow and will be able to wear these shoes.
And they'll fit his little feet
The shoes will eventually fit my younger sibling's tiny feet.
Won't he look so nice and funny
It would be amusing to see my younger sibling wearing these shoes.
As he walks upon the street
It would be entertaining to see him walk down the road wearing these little shoes.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: SAMUEL ALLOYSIUS MITCHELL, CHARLES PRATT
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edmund StAustell
Thanks. He sure did. And he does a bang up job on this. So does Rose Maddox. If you ever get a chance to hear her and her brothers sing this song, don't miss it. It's not an easy record to find. If I can find it, I'll post it.
Edmund StAustell
@banjajohn Thank you very much. Yes, he sure does deserve credit. He virtually salvaged the Celtic music tradition of the hill country, which is very good music, which now has a huge audience of all kinds of people. Good comment, thanks!
Jack Patton
i heard this song as a kid in w.va.and still love it.bill made bluegrass what it is today
Moon City Antiques
This is one of my favorite Monroe songs. Great music.....
Peaceful
My husband loved traditional bluegrass. He sang this on his deathbed. He is in heaven now. Miss him.
gerdeco
Great music. I enjoyed very much.
banjajohn
Happy 100th Birthday. Sept. 13, 2011. You deserve more recognition then you where given. We miss you, John
Edmund StAustell
@roaddog4630 My pleasure. He was remarkable, and his music is great!
Jack Patton
i like every thing rose did as well as wilma lee and stoney cooper.we are both over 70,but watch us dance to saro jane.we really like those old songs and grandfathers clock is great and true storp
carlos v. chivardi
I really love that kind of songs, ajua