Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the Billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the Number One hits 'I'm Movin' On' and 'I Don't Hurt Anymore'. Performing in lavish and colourful sequin-studded suits, Snow had a career covering six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1979.
THERE IS A HANK SNOW MUSEUM CLOSE TO BROOKLYN IN LIVERPOOL, NOVA SCOTIA, APPROPRIATELY, IT IS HOUSED IN AN ABANDONED TRAIN STATION. VERY WELL DONE
I reckon Hank Snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank was influenced by the famous Rail road blues singer Jimmie Rodgers and though Hank did copy Rodgers style in his early days, including the "blue yodel" he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. His guitar playing was so good he once cut a duet album of guitar music with the late Chet Atkins, master country Guitarist and music producer for RCA Victor. Hank was with RCA Victor label for almost 50 years and towards the end of his waning career RCA dropped him, just before he would have celebrated his half century with that label-always thought that was a bit mean of them.. Hank Snow and his Rainbow ranch boys, with Chubby Hayes on fiddle gave really great live concerts and the singing and playing they did was superlative and sounded as good as, if not equal to their recorded works.
I'll Ride Back to Lonesome Valley
Hank Snow Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To a cottage far away
And as restless cattle wander
I can hear a sweet voice say.
"You are leaving, Jack, your darling
With a lonesome broken heart
But I'll wait in Lonesome Valley
Yes, so well do I remember
Of the night we say goodbye
There were teardrops on your cheeks, dear
As I left your loving side.
But when round up time is over
Wheter skies are dark or fair
I'll ride back to Lonesome Valley
For I know I'll find you there.
You are my queen of Lonesome Valley
By your side I know no care
Nights out on the lonesome prairie
You have been my guiding star.
Soon my faithful paint I'll saddle
And beneath the western sky
I'll ride back to Lonesome Valley
And you'll be my blushing bride...
The song "I'll Ride Back to Lonesome Valley" talks about a cowboy's longing to return to his love in Lonesome Valley. The cowboy's mind is drifting far away to the cottage where his love stays. He can even hear her voice saying that she'll wait for him in Lonesome Valley, even if they're far apart. The lines "But when round up time is over, Whether skies are dark or fair" reflect the cowboy's commitment to his work but also his devotion to his love. He promises to return to Lonesome Valley after his round up, where he knows his love will be waiting for him.
The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia, yearning, and romanticism that are common in country music. The chorus particularly highlights the cowboy's unwavering love and devotion to his queen of Lonesome Valley. The song also reflects the hardships and sacrifices of being a cowboy and the importance of having someone to come home to. Overall, the song is a heartfelt expression of a cowboy's love for the woman he left behind.
Line by Line Meaning
My troublin' mind tonight is drifting
As I sit alone with my thoughts, I am lost in memories of the past.
To a cottage far away
My mind is wandering to a distant home.
And as restless cattle wander
Just like cattle who roam aimlessly, I too am lost and unsure.
I can hear a sweet voice say.
In my mind, I can hear the voice of a loved one speaking to me.
"You are leaving, Jack, your darling
I remember the conversation with my lover as I left her behind.
With a lonesome broken heart
I knew my departure caused my loved one great pain and heartache.
But I'll wait in Lonesome Valley
Despite the distance and pain, my loved one still waits for me - in a place called Lonesome Valley.
Tho' we may be far apart."
Even though we may be separated by great distances.
Yes, so well do I remember
I can recall the memories of that night - the sorrow and the tears.
Of the night we say goodbye
I remember the night when I left my loved one behind.
There were teardrops on your cheeks, dear
I saw the tears streaming down my loved one's face as we said our goodbyes.
As I left your loving side.
Leaving my loved one behind was a difficult thing to do.
But when round up time is over
When my work is done and I can return home.
Wheter skies are dark or fair
Regardless of weather conditions, I'll go home.
I'll ride back to Lonesome Valley
I'll go back to the place where my loved one waits for me.
For I know I'll find you there.
I know that my loved one will still be waiting for me when I return.
You are my queen of Lonesome Valley
My loved one is the most important person in my life, my queen.
By your side I know no care
When I'm with my loved one, I feel free of worry and stress.
Nights out on the lonesome prairie
When we are together in the vast, empty prairie.
You have been my guiding star.
My loved one has always been my guide and source of inspiration.
Soon my faithful paint I'll saddle
Soon I'll prepare my horse for the journey back.
And beneath the western sky
As the sun sets in the west.
I'll ride back to Lonesome Valley
I'll go back to be with my loved one in that special place.
And you'll be my blushing bride...
When I return, I hope to marry my loved one and start our life anew.
Contributed by Bella M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
CowboyOld
Oh my God, what a great song. I thought I'd heard all of Hank's songs. I especially liked his Canadian Steel player. Thanks
FoxRunMan
Thanks for posting the lyrics.
franielee38
Great!
Keith Kimmey
Goodun Thanks Hank Thumbs Up Cheers
Keith Douglas
Fantastic Canadian Bluebird B 4661.My ex girl friend broke all my 78s sad to say this one I had on Buff Bluebird with white label blue print.Well at least thanks to you I can still listen to it.Thanks loads.
Brasilian Rose
great thanks keith thumbs up