Born in Glendale, Arizona, Robbins taught himself guitar while serving in the United States Navy during World War II, and subsequently drew fame performing in clubs in and around his hometown. In 1956, he released his first No. 1 country song, "Singing the Blues" and one year later, released two more No. 1 hits, "A White Sport Coat" and "The Story of My Life". In 1959, Robbins released his signature song, "El Paso", for which he won the Grammy Award for Best Country & Western Recording. Later releases that drew critical acclaim include "Don't Worry", "Big Iron" and "Honkytonk Man", the last for which the 1982 Clint Eastwood film is named, and in which Robbins made his final appearance before death.
Over the course of his career, Robbins recorded more than 500 songs and 60 albums, and won two Grammy Awards, was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was named the 1960s Artist of the Decade by the Academy of Country Music. Robbins was a commercial success in both the country and pop genres, and his songs were covered by many other famous artists, including Johnny Cash, the Grateful Dead and Elvis Presley. His music continues to have an influence in pop culture today, having recently appeared in several contemporary pop culture features, including the video game Fallout: New Vegas, and the series finale of AMC's Breaking Bad.
Robbins was born in Glendale, a suburb of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. His mother was mostly of Paiute Indian heritage. Robbins grew up in a difficult family situation. His father took odd jobs to support the family of 10 children; however, his hard drinking led to divorce in 1937. Among his warmer memories of his childhood, Robbins recalled having listened to stories of the American West told by his maternal grandfather, Texas Bob Heckle, who was a local medicine man. At 17, Robbins left his troubled home to serve in the United States Navy as an LCT coxswain during World War II. He was stationed in the Solomon Islands in the Pacific Ocean. To pass the time during the war, he learned to play the guitar, started writing songs, and came to love Hawaiian music.
Robbins' discography consists of 52 studio albums, 13 compilation albums, and 100 singles. In his career, Robbins charted 17 Number One singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, as well as 82 Top 40 singles.
Robbins' highest charting album is 1959's Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs. It charted to #6 on the all-genre Billboard 200, and was also certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album's first single, "El Paso", became a hit on both the country and pop charts, charting to Number One on the Hot Country Songs as well as the Billboard Hot 100. While that would be his only pop Number One, in 1957, "A White Sport Coat" charted to #2, and in 1961, "Don't Worry" charted to #3.
His final Top 10 single was "Honkytonk Man" from the 1982 eponymous film in which Robbins had a role. He died shortly before its release. Since his death, four posthumous studio albums have been released, but they made no impact on the charts.
Robbins married Marizona "Mari" Baldwin on September 27, 1948. They had two children, Ronny and Janet, and were married 34 years until his death.
Ballad of the Alamo
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In the town of San Antone
There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one
But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun
You can hear a ghostly bugle
As the men go marching by
You can hear them as they answer
Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett, and a hundred eighty more
Captain Dickinson, Jim Bowie
Present and accounted for.
Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis
"Get some volunteers and go
Fortify the Alamo."
Well the men came from Texas
And from old Tennessee
And they joined up with Travis
Just to fight for the right to be free.
Indian scouts with squirrel guns
Men with muzzle-loaders
Stood together, heel and toe
To defend the Alamo.
"You may ne'er see your loved ones,"
Travis told them that day
"Those who want to can leave now
Those who fight to the death let 'em stay."
In the sand he drew a line
With his army sabre
Out of a hundred eighty five
Not a soldier crossed the line
With his banners a-dancin'
In the dawn's golden light
Santa Anna came prancing
On a horse that was black as the night.
Sent an officer to tell
Travis to surrender
Travis answered with a shell
And a rousing rebel yell
Santa Anna turned scarlet
"Play deguello!" he roared
"I will show them no quarter
Every one will be put to the sword!"
One hundred and eighty five
Holding back five thousand
Five days, six days, eight days, ten
Travis held and held again
Then he sent for replacements
For his wounded and lame
But the troops that were coming
Never came, never came, never came...
Twice he charged and blew recall
On the fatal third time
Santa Anna breached the wall
And he killed 'em, one and all
Now the bugles are silent
And there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers...
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...
In the southern part of Texas
Near the town of San Antone
Like a statue on his pinto rides a cowboy all alone
And he sees the cattle grazing where a century before
Santa Anna's guns were blazing and the cannons used to roar
And his eyes turn sorta misty
And his heart begins to glow
And he takes his hat off slowly...
To the men of Alamo.
To the thirteen days of glory
At the siege of Alamo...
The Ballad of the Alamo tells the story of the battle of the Alamo, which took place from February 23 to March 6, 1836, during the Texas Revolution. It describes the defenders of the Alamo as a small group of men who were greatly outnumbered by the Mexican Army led by Santa Anna. Despite the odds against them, they stood their ground for thirteen days before they were overwhelmed and killed.
The lyrics of the song pay tribute to the soldiers who fought and died at the Alamo, and the chorus refers to the roll call in the sky, indicating that the heroic defenders of the Alamo are remembered long after their deaths. The song also highlights the bravery of Colonel Travis and the other notable figures who fought in the battle, such as Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, and William Barret Travis. The lyrics note their willingness to fight to the death for the right to be free, and call attention to the courage and sacrifice of the men who died defending the Alamo against all odds.
Overall, The Ballad of the Alamo is a powerful tribute to the men who fought and died for Texas, and it remains a popular patriotic song to this day.
Line by Line Meaning
In the southern part of Texas
The setting is in southern Texas.
In the town of San Antone
The location is the town of San Antonio.
There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown
There is a ruined fortress overtaken by weeds.
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one
No graves can be found for the soldiers who died there.
But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun
At times when darkness transitions to light.
You can hear a ghostly bugle
A ghostly bugle can be heard.
As the men go marching by
The sounds of marching men are heard.
You can hear them as they answer
Voices responding to the bugle can be heard.
To that roll call in the sky.
The voices are responding to a call from the heavens.
Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett, and a hundred eighty more
Notable figures among the soldiers were Colonel Travis and Davy Crockett, along with one hundred eighty others.
Captain Dickinson, Jim Bowie
Other noteworthy soldiers were Captain Dickinson and Jim Bowie.
Present and accounted for.
The soldiers were present and ready for action.
Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis
A conversation occurred between Houston and Travis in 1836.
"Get some volunteers and go
Houston instructed Travis to recruit volunteers.
Fortify the Alamo."
Their mission is to strengthen the Alamo fortress.
Well the men came from Texas
Volunteers came from Texas to join the mission.
And from old Tennessee
Volunteers also came from Tennessee.
And they joined up with Travis
The volunteers, including those from Texas and Tennessee, joined Travis.
Just to fight for the right to be free.
The soldiers fought for their freedom.
Indian scouts with squirrel guns
The soldiers included Native American scouts armed with squirrel guns.
Men with muzzle-loaders
The soldiers also included those with muzzle-loading firearms.
Stood together, heel and toe
All soldiers fought together, united.
To defend the Alamo.
The soldiers were united to protect the Alamo fortress.
"You may ne'er see your loved ones,
Travis warns the soldiers that they may not see their loved ones again.
Travis told them that day
Travis delivered the warning message.
"Those who want to can leave now
Travis offered the option for soldiers to abandon the mission.
Those who fight to the death let 'em stay.
Travis acknowledges that those who stay are committed to fighting to the death.
In the sand he drew a line
Travis drew a line in the sand as a symbolic call to duty.
With his army sabre
The sand line was drawn with his army saber.
Out of a hundred eighty five
Of the total one hundred eighty five soldiers.
Not a soldier crossed the line
None of the soldiers defected when given the option.
With his banners a-dancin'
The opposing army arrived with demonstrative banners on display.
In the dawn's golden light
The sun had just risen.
Santa Anna came prancing
Santa Anna made an appearance, arriving on horseback.
On a horse that was black as the night.
The horse that Santa Anna rode was entirely black in color.
Sent an officer to tell
Santa Anna dispatched an officer to deliver the message.
Travis to surrender
The message ordered Travis to surrender.
Travis answered with a shell
Travis responded to the message with a shell.
And a rousing rebel yell
Travis and his troops launched a vocal protest.
Santa Anna turned scarlet
Santa Anna became indignant.
"Play deguello!" he roared
Santa Anna ordered his soldiers to play a battle tune.
"I will show them no quarter
Santa Anna warned his opposition that he will not show mercy.
Every one will be put to the sword!"
All opposition will be vanquished.
One hundred and eighty five
The combined number of soldiers.
Holding back five thousand
The small number of soldiers withstood an army of five thousand.
Five days, six days, eight days, ten
The Alamo battle lasted between five and ten days.
Travis held and held again
Despite being outnumbered, Travis and his troops held their ground.
Then he sent for replacements
Travis called for reinforcements.
For his wounded and lame
The reinforcements were for the injured soldiers.
But the troops that were coming
Unfortunately, the reinforcements never arrived.
Never came, never came, never came...
The reinforcements never arrived, leaving Travis and his troops with limited support.
Twice he charged and blew recall
Travis ordered two charges and subsequent returns to their position.
On the fatal third time
During the third charge, tragedy occurred.
Santa Anna breached the wall
The opposing army finally breached the fort's walls.
And he killed 'em, one and all
The Alamo soldiers were defeated and all were killed.
Now the bugles are silent
The sounds of the bugles and soldiers are gone.
And there's rust on each sword
The swords of the dead soldiers are covered in rust.
And the small band of soldiers...
The small group of soldiers who fought in the battle.
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...
The soldiers are now in peace in the hands of the Lord.
Like a statue on his pinto rides a cowboy all alone
A solemn cowboy rides on horseback, seemingly in deep thought.
And he sees the cattle grazing where a century before
The cowboy observes grazing cattle where the battle occurred a hundred years prior.
Santa Anna's guns were blazing and the cannons used to roar
The location of the cattle grazing was the same location where Santa Anna once attacked with great force.
And his eyes turn sorta misty
The cowboy becomes emotional.
And his heart begins to glow
The cowboy's heart fills with emotion.
And he takes his hat off slowly...
In a sign of respect, the cowboy removes his hat.
To the men of Alamo.
The cowboy honors the brave soldiers who fought in the battle of Alamo.
To the thirteen days of glory
Acknowledgement of the bravery and valor of the soldiers during the thirteen days of battle.
At the siege of Alamo...
The battle is known as the siege of Alamo.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DIMITRI TIOMKIN, PAUL FRANCIS WEBSTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Conner Wilson
Lyrics:
In the southern part of Texas
In the town of San Antone
There's a fortress all in ruins that the weeds have overgrown
You may look in vain for crosses and you'll never see a-one
But sometimes between the setting and the rising of the sun
You can hear a ghostly bugle
As the men go marching by
You can hear them as they answer
To that roll call in the sky.
Colonel Travis, Davy Crockett, and a hundred eighty more
Captain Dickinson, Jim Bowie
Present and accounted for.
Back in 1836, Houston said to Travis
"Get some volunteers and go
Fortify the Alamo."
Well the men came from Texas
And from old Tennessee
And they joined up with Travis
Just to fight for the right to be free.
Indian scouts with squirrel guns
Men with muzzle-loaders
Stood together, heel and toe
To defend the Alamo.
"You may ne'er see your loved ones, "
Travis told them that day
"Those who want to can leave now
Those who fight to the death let 'em stay."
In the sand he drew a line
With his army sabre
Out of a hundred eighty five
Not a soldier crossed the line
With his banners a-dancin'
In the dawn's golden light
Santa Anna came prancing
On a horse that was black as the night.
Sent an officer to tell
Travis to surrender
Travis answered with a shell
And a rousing rebel yell
Santa Anna turned scarlet
"Play deguello!" he roared
"I will show them no quarter
Every one will be put to the sword!"
One hundred and eighty five
Holding back five thousand
Five days, six days, eight days, ten
Travis held and held again
Then he sent for replacements
For his wounded and lame
But the troops that were coming
Never came, never came, never came...
Twice he charged and blew recall
On the fatal third time
Santa Anna breached the wall
And he killed 'em, one and all
Now the bugles are silent
And there's rust on each sword
And the small band of soldiers...
Lie asleep in the arms of the Lord...
In the southern part of Texas
Near the town of San Antone
Like a statue on his pinto rides a cowboy all alone
And he sees the cattle grazing where a century before
Santa Anna's guns were blazing and the cannons used to roar
And his eyes turn sorta misty
And his heart begins to glow
And he takes his hat off slowly...
To the men of Alamo.
To the thirteen days of glory
At the siege of Alamo...
Joey Fleeger
God bless the Alamo
God bless the light Calvary
God bless the rebels
God bless the Gettysburg
God bless the bull run
God bless the men and women who fought
God bless the dead
God bless this land
GOD BLESS AMERICA
Sony Blank
Visiting the Alamo, seeing the bullet holes, and how small the church is, it's stunning that 185 could hold out for 13 days against such an overwhelming force.
Jacob Hargiss
Most of the 13 days was santa ana shelling them and depriving them of sleep as he bolstered his forces, the really amazing part is that facing a certain bloody death, no one fled.
Hank Gillette
The battle wasn’t in the church. The Alamo was a big courtyard, about a quarter-mile around. Some of the walls were low and one part had fallen and was partially repaired by rocks and timber. The Alamo was undefendable and everyone knew it, which is why Houston told Travis to destroy it, not defend it.
Conner Gohlke
Well actually the reason it fell was because it was too big to defend go look at a layout of the yard from that time its absolutly massive,and they couldve cover all the walls with the necesarry amount of men and the north wall,which was already in ruins,was the first to go
Conner Gohlke
@Hank Gillette yeah the north wall i believe was in ruins as well as the "little ol picket fence over there" as crockett ssaid next to the chapel
Matt Jahnke
Yes, but it was a hell of a lot bigger then.
George Vreeland Hill
Outnumbered, but they stood tall and brave. When you visit the Alamo, you visit the true spirit of America.
Jack Thorton
Remember the Alamo!
Anonymous Washington Center
Indeed, sacrificial lambs appear to pay off
Anonymous Washington Center
@Lacey Sheridan Koolaid? What you tryna say? Also, didnt they surrender but get chopped up in the courtyard afterwards?