Overall, there have been 29 single releases throughout the years with 26 of them charting in the top 20 or better. Eight of those 26 have reached the coveted No.1 spot on the national country charts.
His first release, “Back Side of thirty” went nowhere fast. Three more singles also met with a minimum success, although they all charted. But in March of 1978, the label released “Rose Colored Glasses,” a song Conlee wrote, which became a huge hit as well as his signature song. In January of 1979, the label re-released “Back Side of Thirty” which went on to become a No. 1 record, and the hits continued to roll. The John Conlee hit list includes songs such as “Lady Lay Down,” “Before My Time,” “Friday Night Blues,” “Miss Emily’s Picture,” “Busted,” “I Don’t Remember Loving You,” “Common Man,” “I’m Only In It For The Love,” “In My Eyes,” “As Long As I’m Rocking With You,” “Years After You,” “Domestic Life,” “Mama’s Rockin Chair,” “Hit the Ground Runnin,” and “Fellow Travelers.” All of Conlee’s hits have that unmistakable common thread – that unique voice. Conlee has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1981.
Farther Along
John Conlee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Why it should be thus all the day long
While there are others living about us
Never molested though in the wrong
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
When death has come and taken our loved ones
It leaves our home so lonely and drear
And then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
When we see Jesus coming in glory
When he comes down from his home in the sky
Then we shall meet him in that bright mansion
We'll understand it all by and by
Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by
Yeah we'll understand it all by and by
The lyrics to John Conlee's song "Farther Along" deal with the themes of temptation, suffering, and the hope for understanding and enlightenment. The opening lines of the song set the tone for its message: "Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder / Why it should be thus all the day long / While there are others living about us / Never molested though in the wrong." These lines suggest the sense of injustice that can arise when one sees others who are seemingly more fortunate than oneself, despite having done wrong. This can lead to questioning and doubt, wondering why one is struggling while others appear to prosper.
The chorus of the song offers a message of hope and comfort, with the lyrics "Farther along we'll know all about it / Farther along we'll understand why / Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine / We'll understand it all by and by." These lines suggest that while we may not understand why things happen as they do, there is hope that someday we will gain understanding and clarity. The phrase "live in the sunshine" encourages the listener to focus on the positive aspects of life, even in the midst of hardship.
The final verse of the song speaks of the ultimate hope for understanding and enlightenment: "When we see Jesus coming in glory / When he comes down from his home in the sky / Then we shall meet him in that bright mansion / We'll understand it all by and by." This verse suggests that the ultimate answer to our questions and doubts will come only when we are united with our savior in the afterlife. Overall, the lyrics to "Farther Along" offer a message of hope and comfort to those who may be struggling to make sense of their lives and the world around them.
Line by Line Meaning
Tempted and tried we're oft made to wonder
As we face challenges and hardships in life, we often question why we must endure them.
Why it should be thus all the day long
We wonder why the difficulties persist day after day.
While there are others living about us
Even though we observe people around us doing wrong and facing no consequences.
Never molested though in the wrong
They seem to be doing well despite engaging in wicked behavior.
Farther along we'll know all about it
As time passes, we will gain greater understanding and insight.
Farther along we'll understand why
We will eventually grasp the reasons behind life's difficulties and the seeming injustice of others' success in wrongdoing.
Cheer up my brother live in the sunshine
We should find joy in life and hold on to hope.
We'll understand it all by and by
Eventually, we'll gain clarity and realize that everything happens for a reason.
When death has come and taken our loved ones
Death can bring feelings of loneliness and despair when it takes those closest to us.
It leaves our home so lonely and drear
Our family and our life can feel empty without the presence of our loved ones.
And then do we wonder why others prosper
We question why some people continue to flourish even when faced with loss and grief.
Living so wicked year after year
Those who act immorally and unjustly appear to thrive despite the harm they cause.
When we see Jesus coming in glory
When we witness divine intervention and salvation through Jesus, signifying the transcendence of life's struggles.
When he comes down from his home in the sky
When we recognize the power of faith and hope to lift us from our earthly burdens.
Then we shall meet him in that bright mansion
In the afterlife, we will experience a sense of wholeness and unity with God.
Yeah we'll understand it all by and by
Ultimately, we will recognize the meaning behind all of life's events, and find peace that transcends human understanding.
Contributed by Jasmine M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.