Wells' success in the 1950s and 1960s was so enormous that she still ranks as the sixth most successful female vocalist in the history of the Billboard country charts according to historian Joel Whitburn's book "The Top 40 Country Hits", behind Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Reba McEntire, Tammy Wynette, and Tanya Tucker. Wells was the third country music artist, behind Roy Acuff and Hank Williams, to receive the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1991 as well as being the seventh woman and first Caucasian woman to receive the honor. In 1976, she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Lonesome Valley
Kitty Wells Lyrics
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The fields are white and the harvest falling come and work for him today
You've got to walk that lonesome valley you've got to go there by yourself
There's no one here can go there with you you've got to go there by yourself
[ steel ]
My mother told me when she was dying just before her breath was gone
My darling one put trust in Jesus for I'll leave you here alone
You've got to walk...
Some people say he was a Baptist others say he was a Jew
But the Holy Bible tells us that he was a preacher too
You've got to walk...
Kitty Wells's song Lonesome Valley is a spiritual gospel song that touches on the theme of salvation and the call to action to follow Christ. The lyrics begin with a voice calling to "Come and work for him today" as the fields are white and ripe for harvest. This voice is later revealed to be Jesus himself.
The central message in the chorus is the idea that every Christian has to walk their own "lonesome valley," that is, their own path towards salvation. No one can do this for them, and they must learn to rely on their own faith to guide them on their journey. The second verse is a personal anecdote from the singer's mother, who urges her to put trust in Jesus before she leaves this world. The final verse ends by addressing some controversies around Jesus' identity, ultimately concluding that it doesn't matter if he was a Baptist or a Jew - what matters is that he was a preacher and the way to salvation.
Line by Line Meaning
Hark the voice of Jesus calling come and work for him today
Listen to Jesus calling and ask you to work for him now
The fields are white and the harvest falling come and work for him today
Join Jesus now as the time to harvest crops is right
You've got to walk that lonesome valley you've got to go there by yourself
You must cross the lonely path and find your own way
There's no one here can go there with you you've got to go there by yourself
Don't depend on anyone else to accompany you; fight your own battle
[ steel ]
Instrumental
My mother told me when she was dying just before her breath was gone
My mom reminded me when she was dying, about to leave for good.
My darling one put trust in Jesus for I'll leave you here alone
My dear, trust in Jesus or else you will face loneliness and feel abandoned.
You've got to walk...
You must cross the lonely path and find your own way
[ steel ]
Instrumental
Some people say he was a Baptist others say he was a Jew
Some claim he was a Baptist, others say a Jew
But the Holy Bible tells us that he was a preacher too
However, the Gospel shows that he was also a preacher
You've got to walk...
You must cross the lonely path and find your own way
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: WOODY GUTHRIE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind