Billy Walker (January 14, 1929 – May 21, 2006) was an American country-musi… Read Full Bio ↴Billy Walker (January 14, 1929 – May 21, 2006) was an American country-music singer and guitarist, nicknamed "The Tall Texan."

Walker was born in Ralls, Texas, in 1929, and became active in the Dallas music scene in the late 1940s. After a brief stint with Capitol Records, he signed with Columbia Records in 1951 at the same time as Ray Price. Walker was a cast member on ABC-TV's Ozark Jubilee in the late 1950's.

He is most famous for his 1962 hit "Charlie's Shoes." He is also well known for his 1961 cover version of Willie Nelson's "Funny How Time Slips Away" and his 1964 hit "Cross the Brazos at Waco." [1]. Walker joined the Grand Ole Opry on January 1, 1960, and he was an active member until his death in 2006.

On Sunday, May 21, 2006, Walker died when the van he was driving back to Nashville after a performance in Foley, Alabama veered off Interstate 65 in Fort Deposit, Alabama and overturned. His wife Bettie, bassist Charles Lilly Jr., son of Everett Lilly of Bluegrass Hall of Fame Inductees, "The Lilly Brothers", and guitarist Daniel Patton were also killed in the 12:40 a.m. crash. Walker's grandson, Joshua Brooks, survived the crash with serious injuries.

Billy Walker played all over the world and was loved everywhere for his smooth singing and gentle mind. Several times in the 1980s Billy Walker sang at The International Festival of Country Music at Wembley Arena in London. Only one month before his death, Walker once again was in contact with Europe, recording the duet "All I Ever Need Is You" with the Danish singer [[Susanne Lana] for Hillside House Records. The recording took place in Nashville, Tennessee, at Signal Path Studio and was produced by Charlie McCoy.

Ramona
Billy Walker Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I wander out yonder o'er the hills
Where the mountains high
Seem to kiss the sky
Someone is out yonder, o'er the hills
Waiting patiently, Waiting just for me

Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love

I press you, caress you, and bless the day you taught me to care
To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall
I dread the dawn when I awake to find you gone
Ramona I need you my own

Let's wander out yonder o'er the hills
By a babbling brook
Where we'll find a nook
To build our own love nest, o'er the hills
Darling of my heart, Never more to part

Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love
I press you, caress you, and bless the day you taught me to care
To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall

I dread the dawn when I awake to find you gone
Ramona I need you my own

Overall Meaning

The verses of "Ramona" by Billy Walker paint a beautiful picture of natural landscapes where the mountains seem to touch the sky and there is a babbling brook nearby. The songwriter is out wandering, waiting to meet his love, who he believes is waiting patiently for him as well. The use of "yonder" in the lyrics sets the scene perfectly and gives the song a timeless quality.

The chorus reveals the name of his love, Ramona. The mission bells above are ringing out their song of love. The songwriter talks about how he cherishes the day that she taught him to care and to always remember the rambling rose she wears in her hair. The image of the rose is an ongoing symbol of their love and connection. He promises to meet her by the waterfall and declares his need for her in his life.

The song tells a beautiful story of love that has both a vintage feel and a timeless message. It speaks to the idea that true love is worth waiting for and cherishing. The beautiful imagery and romantic lyrics make "Ramona" a classic love song that has continued to be enjoyed over the years.

Line by Line Meaning

I wander out yonder o'er the hills
I walk alone over the hills

Where the mountains high
Where the mountains reach for the sky

Seem to kiss the sky
The mountains look like they're kissing the sky

Someone is out yonder, o'er the hills
Someone is waiting out there for me

Waiting patiently, Waiting just for me
They wait for me patiently and eagerly

Ramona, I hear the mission bells above
I hear the mission bells ringing for you

Ramona, they're ringing out our song of love
The bells are playing our love song

I press you, caress you, and bless the day you taught me to care
I hold you tightly, touch you lovingly, and cherish the day you taught me to love

To always remember the rambling rose you wear in your hair
To never forget the rose you wear in your hair

Ramona, when day is done you'll hear my call
When the day is over, I'll call for you

Ramona, we'll meet beside the water fall
We'll meet by the waterfall