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.

The Old Cross Road
Bill Monroe Lyrics

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Oh my brother, take this warning
Don't let old Satan hold your hand
You'll be lost in sin forever
You'll never reach the promised land

The old crossroad now is waiting
Which one are you going to take
One leads down to destruction

The other to the pearly gate

One road leads up to heaven
The other goes down below
Jesus our savior will protect you
He'll guide you by the old crossroad

The old crossroad now is waiting
Which one are you going to take
One leads down to destruction
The other to the pearly gate

Soon this life will be over
You'll have to face the old crossroad
Will you be ready then, my brother
To shun the one goes down below

The old crossroad now is waiting
Which one are you going to take

One leads down to destruction
The other to the pearly gate

Overall Meaning

In "The Old Cross Road," Bill Monroe delivers a timeless message about the power of choice and the consequences of our actions. The lyrics warn against giving in to temptation and allowing Satan to lead us astray down the path of sin, ultimately leading us away from the promise of eternal life. The song presents a choice between two roads, one leading to destruction and the other to the pearly gates of heaven, and encourages listeners to choose wisely.

The haunting melody and somber tone of the song add to the weight of the lyrics, creating a sense of urgency in the message. Monroe, with his distinctive high lonesome sound, masterfully conveys the importance of taking responsibility for our choices and living a life in accordance with our beliefs. The song ends on a poignant note, reminding us that we all must face the old crossroad at the end of our lives and that we must be prepared to make the right choice.

Overall, "The Old Cross Road" is a powerful testament to the importance of faith, morality, and the consequences of the choices we make.

Line by Line Meaning

Oh my brother, take this warning
Listen to this warning, my brother

Don't let old Satan hold your hand
Don't be swayed by the devil's temptations

You'll be lost in sin forever
You will remain in a state of immorality forever

You'll never reach the promised land
You will be unable to attain eternal paradise

The old crossroad now is waiting
You are at a crossroads in life

Which one are you going to take
You must choose which path to follow

One leads down to destruction
One path leads to ruin

The other to the pearly gate
The other path leads to the gates of heaven

One road leads up to heaven
One path leads to eternal paradise

The other goes down below
The other path leads to eternal damnation