On My Knees
Charlie Rich & Janie Fricke Lyrics


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You followed me to Texas
You followed me to Utah
We didn't find it there
So we moved on

You went with me to Alabama
And things looked good in Birmingham
We didn't find it there
So, we moved on

I know you're tired of following
My elusive dreams and schemes
For they're only fleeting things
My elusive dreams

You had my child in Memphis
Then I heard of work in Nashville
But we didn't find it there
So we moved on

To a small farm in Nebraska
To a gold mine in Alaska
We didn't find it there
So we moved on

Now we've left Alaska
Cause there was no gold there
But this time
Only two of us moved on

Now all we have is each other,
And a little memory to cling to
Still you won't let me go
Go on alone

I know you're tired of following
My elusive dreams and schemes




For they're only fleeting things
My elusive dreams

Overall Meaning

The song "On My Knees" by Charlie Rich and Janie Fricke is a heartbreaking story of a man who drags his wife through a series of moves while he chases his dreams. The opening lines "You followed me to Texas, you followed me to Utah" sets the stage for a journey that spans across the country in search of success. Despite their constant relocation, the man's dreams seem to slip from his grasp no matter where they go. The lyrics suggest that his wife's patience is running thin, and she's tired of the endless pursuit of something that isn't guaranteed.


The chorus "I know you're tired of following my elusive dreams and schemes, for they're only fleeting things, my elusive dreams" captures the man's realization that his dreams are just fleeting things, and that he has been holding onto something that may never come to fruition. The final lines, "Still you won't let me go, go on alone," suggests that despite the hardships, the couple has remained together, clinging to the memories of better times. The song resonates with anyone who has chased a dream relentlessly, only to realize that it may never come true.


Line by Line Meaning

You followed me to Texas
You came with me to Texas


You followed me to Utah
You followed me to Utah


We didn't find it there
We didn't find what we were looking for there


So we moved on
So we left that place for another


You went with me to Alabama
You accompanied me to Alabama


And things looked good in Birmingham
We had some hope in Birmingham


We didn't find it there
But we didn't find what we wanted there


So, we moved on
So we left again


I know you're tired of following
I understand that you're tired of following me


My elusive dreams and schemes
My dreams and plans that are hard to catch or achieve


For they're only fleeting things
Because they are only temporary and fleeting


My elusive dreams
My hard-to-catch dreams


You had my child in Memphis
Our child was born in Memphis


Then I heard of work in Nashville
Then I found out about a job in Nashville


But we didn't find it there
But we didn't find what we needed in Nashville


So we moved on
So we left again


To a small farm in Nebraska
We moved to a small farm in Nebraska


To a gold mine in Alaska
We went to a gold mine in Alaska


We didn't find it there
We didn't find any gold there


So we moved on
So we had to leave again


Now we've left Alaska
Now we're not in Alaska anymore


Cause there was no gold there
Because we didn't find any gold there


But this time
But for once


Only two of us moved on
Only you and I moved on this time


Now all we have is each other,
Now, all we have left is each other


And a little memory to cling to
And only a few memories to hold on to


Still you won't let me go
But you don't want to leave me


Go on alone
To leave by myself


I know you're tired of following
I understand that you're tired of following me


My elusive dreams and schemes
My hard-to-catch dreams and plans


For they're only fleeting things
Because they are only temporary and fleeting


My elusive dreams
My difficult-to-achieve dreams




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Billy Sherrill, Claude Putman Jr., Curly Putman

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Comments from YouTube:

arslp

Janie Fricke's voice is incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Melody Dixon

A great song.Charlie was a great singer.His wife Margaret was beautiful!

John Middleton

This is the best duet ever, they complement each other brilliantly.

jonesvox1

Margaret Anne Rich was Charlie’s rock. Beautiful, loyal and even wrote several songs he recorded. Thanks for adding these rare pictures 👍🏼

Steve Scott

Couldn't agree with you more, a lovely woman and a great songwriter,Life Has It's Little Ups And Downs,A Sunday Kind Of Woman,Pass On By,, fantastic.

SHIRLEY McKENNA

I love this song, Charlie Rich was such a great singer. Gone way to soon

joe palma

Yes. And he wrote the song while working at Sun Records.

Marisol Patriota

Quando e de que morreu😭

Sandy H

I love this song so much but I cry uncontrollably every time I hear it but I keep listening to it and crying and loving it.

Steven

Just keep listening! Cry if you want to. This song is that good!

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