Don Reno secured his place in history as the world-renowned bluegrass banjo… Read Full Bio ↴Don Reno secured his place in history as the world-renowned bluegrass banjo virtuoso of Reno and Smiley fame. Bluegrass experts and fans alike agree that Don's lightning-fast banjo riffs heavily influenced bluegrass music as we know it today. Don Reno's dexterity, timing, and wonderful musical talents set a standard for banjo pickin' that will last forever. Although known more for his banjo work, Reno was equally as talented on the guitar, hence the nickname "King of the Flat-Picking Guitarists." Reno died in 1984 at age 57, but today his three sons, Ronnie, Dale, and Don Wayne, continue the esteemed Reno musical tradition as successful bluegrass musicians.

Born February 21, 1927 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Don Reno grew up on a farm in Haywood County, North Carolina. His father, Zebulon Reno, gave him his first guitar at age 9, and by age 12 Reno was playing on local radio. At 14, he took a musical apprenticeship with the Morris Brothers at WSPA in Spartanburg, where he also worked with Arthur Smith and His Crackerjacks. The Morris Brothers introduced Reno to mountain music, a subgenre of bluegrass quickly gaining popularity in the Carolinas at the time. While under Smith, Reno learned everything from country to big band music. Reno would later renew his partnership with Smith in 1955 with the famous duet, Feuding Banjos.

Between 1944 and 1946 Reno entered the service, fighting on the front line in Burma with the unit known as Merrill's Marauders. When he returned to the States, he immediately resumed his musical career. Before the war, Reno caught the eye of Bill Monroe, and he asked Reno to become a regular with his band. Opting instead to serve his country, Reno turned down the offer. Upon his return home, Reno searched for Monroe and found him in Taylorsville, North Carolina without a banjo picker. One night as Monroe performed, Reno strapped on his banjo and walked right onto the stage. A surprised, but delighted Bill Monroe exclaimed "Where you been boy! I've been looking for you!"

While with Monroe, Reno had the opportunity to hone his guitar skills as well as his banjo style. On the banjo he popularized the three finger roll technique originated by Snuffy Jenkins in the 1930's. As a guitarist, he quickly made a name for himself, and at just over 20 years old Reno became the "King of the Flat-Picking Guitarists." Not only did Reno play with the best in the business, he became the best, pioneering a style that many artists emulate even today.

Reno spent the next decade playing as the banjo half of the famed duo, Reno and Smiley.

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Don Reno Lyrics

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The day I met you my heart spoke to me
It said to love you through eternity
Not knowing that you were another's bride
I vowed I'd always be close by your side

[Chorus:]
You know I love you and I always will
I know you're married but I love you still

You broke a heart dear that would die for you
I'd give this world dear to belong to you
The game is over and I know I've lost
My broken heart will have to pay the cost

[Chorus]

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Don Reno's song "I Know You're Married" tell the story of a man who falls in love with a woman, only to discover that she is already married. He sings of how his heart still loves her, even though he knows that their love can never be fully realized. The opening lines reveal that he fell in love with her immediately, and that his heart knew he would love her forever. Despite knowing that she was already taken, he made a vow to always be by her side. In the chorus, he acknowledges that he understands that she is married, but he loves her anyway.

In the second verse, the man reveals that he has been hurt by the situation. He sings of how much he loves her, and would give up the world for her, but ultimately knows that he has lost her to her husband. The chorus is repeated, emphasizing the man's undying love for this woman, even though he knows that he can never have her.

The lyrics of "I Know You're Married" are both heartbreaking and relatable to anyone who has suffered through an unrequited love. The song is a classic example of the enduring appeal of country music storytelling, and continues to resonate with listeners today.

Line by Line Meaning

The day I met you my heart spoke to me
On the day when I met you, I felt a strong connection with you which my heart conveyed to me

It said to love you through eternity
My heart instructed me to love you forever and always

Not knowing that you were another's bride
I had no idea that you were already married to someone else

I vowed I'd always be close by your side
I made a promise to myself that I would always be there for you and stay by your side no matter what

[Chorus:] You know I love you and I always will
Despite the fact that you are already committed to someone else, I still love you very much and my love for you will never fade away

I know you're married but I love you still
I am aware that you are already married, but that hasn't stopped me from loving you

You broke a heart dear that would die for you
You have shattered the heart of someone who loved you so much and was willing to make any sacrifice for you

I'd give this world dear to belong to you
I would give up everything I have just to be with you and belong to you

The game is over and I know I've lost
I have come to the realization that I have lost this game of love and I have nothing left to fight for

My broken heart will have to pay the cost
I have to bear the pain of having a broken heart as a consequence of my love for you

[Chorus]
Repeating the chorus to emphasize that even though the person is married, the singer still loves them deeply

Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DON RENO, MACK MAGAHA

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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