Carl Mann was born in rural Tennessee. He was a multi-talented musician who… Read Full Bio ↴Carl Mann was born in rural Tennessee. He was a multi-talented musician who sang, played guitar and piano. He was signed to Jaxon Records in 1957 where he released a few singles. His one hit ''MONA LISA" however, was released on Sun Records and reached #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1959.It reached #16 on rythym and blues.

Movin' On
Carl Mann Lyrics

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That big eight wheeler rolling down the track
Means your true lovin' daddy ain't coming back
I'm movin' on I'll soon be gone
You were flying too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on

That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
Said hello to the Southland we're coming to you
We're movin' on oh hear my song

You had the laugh on me so I've set you free and I'm movin' on
[ banjo ]
Mister fireman won't you please listen to me
I've got a pretty woman in Tennessee
Keep movin' me on keep rollin' on
So shovel the coal let the black smoke roll keep rollin' me on
[ fiddle ]
I warned you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
I'm movin' on I'm rollin' on
You broken your vow and it's all over now so I'm movin' on

But some day baby when you've had your play
You're gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say

Keep movin' on stayed away too long
I'm through with you too bad you're blue so keep movin' on

Overall Meaning

The song "Movin' On" by Carl Mann tells the story of a man who decides to leave his woman behind and hop on a train that represents his new journey. The train, a big eight-wheeler, symbolizes the singer's life moving forward without his partner, as the loud whistle proclaims his declaration to the world. He tells the fireman that he has a pretty woman in Tennessee, but he still chooses to leave her behind and keep rolling on. The reason for his departure is due to his partner flying too high and breaking her promise to him, forcing him to set her free and move forward.

The singer warns his partner from time to time, but she doesn't listen to him, leading to the end of their relationship. The song can be interpreted as a representation of breaking out of a toxic relationship where one party is not willing to compromise and grow together, and the other decides to move on and leave that lifestyle behind.

The lyrics include descriptions of the train: "big 8 wheeler," "loud whistle," "shovel the coal," and "black smoke,” toward the end of the song. These descriptions amplify the mood and add to the sense of progression and travel.

Line by Line Meaning

That big eight wheeler rolling down the track
The train that you see moving down the track means that your father, who you truly love, is not coming back

I'm movin' on I'll soon be gone
I am leaving you and moving forward in my life

You were flying too high for my little old sky so I'm movin' on
You were too much for me to handle, so I am moving on

That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
The loud train whistle is announcing our departure

Said hello to the Southland we're coming to you
We are arriving to the Southland and the whistle is our way of acknowledging it.

We're movin' on oh hear my song
I am leaving you, hear me as I sing about it

You had the laugh on me so I've set you free and I'm movin' on
You had the last laugh, but now I am setting you free and leaving you behind

Mister fireman won't you please listen to me
Train conductor, listen to my plea

I've got a pretty woman in Tennessee
I have a beautiful woman back in Tennessee

Keep movin' me on keep rollin' on
Keep pushing me forward and rolling down the tracks

So shovel the coal let the black smoke roll keep rollin' me on
Add more coal to the fire to keep the train moving and rolling down the tracks

I warned you baby from time to time
I gave you warning on several occasions

But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
But you did not listen to me or pay attention to what I was saying

I'm movin' on I'm rollin' on
I am leaving and will continue on the train's journey

You broken your vow and it's all over now so I'm movin' on
You broke your promise and now it is the end of our relationship, so I am leaving

But some day baby when you've had your play
But someday when you have had fun

You're gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
You will want me back, but I will refuse.

Keep movin' on stayed away too long
Continue on moving and I have been gone for too long

I'm through with you too bad you're blue so keep movin' on
I am done with you, it is too bad for you that you are feeling sad, but just keep moving on

Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK SNOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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