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.
Sold Down the River
Bill Monroe Lyrics
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Gone like the flowers in the fall
You crossed your heart, now you're double crossing mine
You've been pretending after all
I was sold down the river to a port of broken dreams
Drifting in sorrow down the stream
Sold down the river on a ship that won't return
I never dreamed that your love would grow so cold
Hiding behind the rainbow's end
You must be blind for the glitter of the gold
Gold that can never find a friend
I was sold down the river on the port of broken dreams
Drifting in sorrow down the stream
Sold down the river on a ship that won't return
When it anchors in the sea of broken dreams
You'll never know what it means to sit and cry
After your heart is broken too
Someday you'll learn and your soul will burn and die
When some one double crosses you
I was sold down the river to a port of broken dreams
Drifting in sorrow down the stream
Sold down the river on a ship that won't return
When it anchors in the sea of broken dreams
The lyrics to Bill Monroe's song "Sold Down the River" are about being betrayed by someone who was once trusted. The singer is questioning where the promised love has gone and realizes that they have been deceived by someone who crossed their heart while double-crossing the singer. The song's title itself is a metaphor - to be "sold down the river" is an expression that refers to being betrayed or sold out by someone you trusted. In essence, it means to be deceived or misled.
The first verse sets the tone for the rest of the song - the singer is questioning where the love has gone and expresses sadness that it has disappeared like the flowers of fall. They then accuse the person who betrayed them of pretending all along, a harsh accusation which implies that they have been lying about their feelings.
The second verse reveals more about the extent of the betrayal - the singer has been sold down the river to a port of broken dreams. This metaphor implies that the singer has been taken advantage of and left in a place where their hopes and dreams have been shattered. They are left drifting in sorrow down a stream, unable to return to their previous life. The third verse highlights the singer's pain, expressing that they never thought the love would grow so cold and that the person they trusted has blinded themselves with the glitter of gold.
Overall, the song is a lament about betrayal and the pain that comes with realizing someone you trusted has deceived you. The metaphors of being sold down the river and being in a port of broken dreams are powerful and evocative, conveying a sense of loss and sorrow.
Line by Line Meaning
Where is the love that you promised 'neath the pine?
The love that was assured in the serene surroundings of the pine forest, where has it vanished?
Gone like the flowers in the fall
Disappeared like the autumn flowers that fade away with the wind.
You crossed your heart, now you're double crossing mine
You swore by crossing your heart, but now you're breaking my heart by going back on your word.
You've been pretending after all
You have been faking your love all along.
I was sold down the river to a port of broken dreams
I was betrayed and deceived, and now I am stranded in a place where all dreams are shattered.
Drifting in sorrow down the stream
I am floating aimlessly in the river of tears, consumed by grief.
Sold down the river on a ship that won't return
I was discarded and left to suffer, with no hope of ever coming back.
When it anchors in the sea of broken dreams
When it finally comes to a stop amidst the ocean of shattered hopes and aspirations.
I never dreamed that your love would grow so cold
I never expected that your love would turn so distant and indifferent.
Hiding behind the rainbow's end
You are hiding behind the illusion of happiness and hope, deceiving yourself and others alike.
You must be blind for the glitter of the gold
You have become ignorant due to the allure and shine of wealth and possessions.
Gold that can never find a friend
The wealth and riches you seek will never be able to offer you true companionship and love.
You'll never know what it means to sit and cry
You will never comprehend the pain and agony of crying alone in despair.
After your heart is broken too
Once your heart is shattered into pieces as well.
Someday you'll learn and your soul will burn and die
One day you will gain wisdom from your experience, but it will leave you feeling empty and destroyed inside.
When someone double crosses you
When someone breaks your trust and deceives you, just like you did to me.
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: VAUGHN HORTON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind