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.
Rocky Road Blues
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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Now the road is rocky, but it won't be rocky long
Another man has got my woman and gone
I've got those blues,
I'm wearing out the soles of my shoes
I've got those blues,
I'm wearing out the soles of my shoes
My gal went away and left me
You'll never miss your water til the well runs dry
You'll never miss your water til the well runs dry
You'll never miss your woman
Until she says goodbye
I wish to the Lord you'd bring my woman back home
I wish to the Lord you'd bring my woman back home
I'm not so lonesome, just don't want to be alone
The lyrics to Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys' "Rocky Road Blues" is a classic country and bluegrass song that tells the story of a heartbroken man who has been left by his woman. The opening line, "Now the road is rocky, but it won't be rocky long," is a hopeful statement that despite the current pain and difficulty, things will get better in time. However, the following line reveals the reason for the man's hardship: "Another man has got my woman and gone." The man is left with the blues, walking and wearing out the soles of his shoes. He's left with the "dog gone blues" after his woman left him.
The next verse serves as a warning to anyone who takes their significant other for granted: "You'll never miss your water til the well runs dry, you'll never miss your woman until she says goodbye." This emphasis on the importance of appreciating what you have while you have it is a common theme in country and bluegrass music. The song closes with the man asking the Lord to bring his woman back home. He's not necessarily lonely, but he doesn't want to be alone.
Line by Line Meaning
Now the road is rocky, but it won't be rocky long
Although times are difficult right now, they won't stay that way forever
Another man has got my woman and gone
My girlfriend has left me for another man
I've got those blues,
I'm wearing out the soles of my shoes
I'm feeling sad and lonely, and I've been walking around so much because of it that my shoes are wearing out
My gal went away and left me
She left me with the dog gone blues
My girl left me and I'm feeling really down
You'll never miss your water til the well runs dry
Sometimes we don't appreciate what we have until we no longer have it
You'll never miss your woman
Until she says goodbye
You won't realize how much you need your girlfriend until she breaks up with you
I wish to the Lord you'd bring my woman back home
I'm praying that my girlfriend comes back to me
I'm not so lonesome, just don't want to be alone
I'm not exactly lonely, I just don't enjoy being alone
Lyrics © BMG RIGHTS MANAGEMENT US, LLC
Written by: BILL MONROE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind