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.

Roll On Buddy Roll On
Bill Monroe Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I'm going to that east pay road
I'm going to that east pay road
I'm going to the east
I going to the west
I'm going to the one that I love best

Roll on, buddy, roll on
Roll on, buddy, roll on

You wouldn't roll so slow
If you knew what I know
So roll on, buddy, roll on

I've got a good woman just the same
I've got a good woman just the same
My woman just the same
Says she's gonna change her name
I've got a good woman just the same

Roll on, buddy, roll on
Roll on, buddy, roll on
You wouldn't roll so slow
If you knew what I know
So roll on, buddy, roll on

My home is down in Tennessee
My home is down in Tennessee
In Tennessee
That's where I long to be
Way down in sunny Tennessee

Roll on, buddy, roll on
Roll on, buddy, roll on
You wouldn't roll so slow

If you knew what I know
So roll on, buddy, roll on

Overall Meaning

"Roll On Buddy Roll On" is a song about a man who is traveling to see his loved one. He's going to the east, he's going to the west, and he's going to the one that he loves the best. He's singing to his horse, telling it to roll on faster because he's eager to get to his destination. He implores the horse to speed up, telling it that it wouldn't roll so slowly if it knew what he knows.

Throughout the song, he expresses his love for his woman, saying that he's got a good woman just the same, and that she's going to change her name. He longs to be back home in Tennessee with his love. The song is a classic example of bluegrass music, which is known for its straightforward lyrics and simple melodies that often tell a story.

Overall, "Roll On Buddy Roll On" is a song about the joys and trials of being in love, and the lengths that people will go to be with the ones they love.

Line by Line Meaning

I'm going to that east pay road
I'm headed out to that eastern path, where I intend to venture forth

I'm going to the east
I'm headed towards the east, to my one true love who awaits me there

I'm going to the west
I'm headed towards the west, to all the possibilities and adventures that lie there

I'm going to the one that I love best
I'm headed to my true love, the one who holds my heart, no matter the distance

Roll on, buddy, roll on
Keep on moving, my friend, keep on moving

You wouldn't roll so slow If you knew what I know
You'd move faster if only you knew what I do, but I can't break this secret and tell it to you

I've got a good woman just the same
Despite my wanderlust, I have a good woman who loves me always

Says she's gonna change her name
My woman has promised to become my wife, changing her name to match mine

My home is down in Tennessee
Tennessee is where I come from, where my roots are set, and where my heart belongs

That's where I long to be Way down in sunny Tennessee
There's no place I'd rather be than in Tennessee, basking in sunshine and surrounded by the love of family and friends

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CLARKJAY PRODUCTIONS, INC.
Written by: DOYLE WILBURN, TEDDY WILBURN

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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