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.
Beautiful Dreamer
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
美麗的夢仙
Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
-- Stephen Foster
The lyrics of Stephen Foster's "Beautiful Dreamer" speak to the timeless desire for peace and escape from the troubles of life. The song invites the "beautiful dreamer" to wake up to a world of starlight and dewdrops, where the harshness of the daily life is replaced by the soothing influence of moonlight. The dreamer is addressed as the "queen of my song," perhaps indicating a romantic interest or an idea of perfection and unattainable beauty.
The song suggests that the seemingly endless pressures and responsibilities of everyday life can be set aside for a time to embrace the healing power of nature and beautiful dreams. This theme echoes throughout many of Foster's songs, which often celebrated the natural beauty of America and the simple pleasures of the countryside.
Ultimately, "Beautiful Dreamer" speaks to the universal human desire for a respite from the demands of daily life and the peaceful release of beautiful dreams.
Line by Line Meaning
Beautiful dreamer, wake unto me,
Oh, wondrous dreamer, awaken to my voice,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
The twinkling stars and glistening dew eagerly await your awakening;
Sounds of the rude world, heard in the day,
Noises of the coarse world, heard in daylight,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all pass'd away!
Soothed by the moonlight, have disappeared completely!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
Splendid dreamer, the muse of my music,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Please take heed as I serenade you with a gentle tune;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng,
All the concerns of life's tumultuous crowd vanished,
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Hey, charming dreamer, arise and be with me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Hey, charming dreamer, arise and be with me!
Contributed by Vivian L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Conner Trapper
Beautiful Dreamer, wake unto me,
Starlight and dewdrops are waiting for thee;
Sounds of the rude world heard in the day,
Lull'd by the moonlight have all passed away!
Beautiful dreamer, queen of my song,
List while I woo thee with soft melody;
Gone are the cares of life's busy throng
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Beautiful dreamer, awake unto me!
Patricia Sailor
Just breathtaking..What a magic voice this beautiful man has..
Connie Mitchell
I remember we would sing this in school back in the late 1940! Just as beautiful now as back then. Thanks for posting by and amazing singer Marty Robbins.
Kim Weir
What a beautiful voice. My favorite cover of this song.
Charlotte Bankston
OMG!! LOVE this version by Marty Robbins!
CHIBINSKI
marty robbins can do no wrong musically. I would have a hard time choosing between marty robbins and roy orbison. each evokes a lot of emotion from me. and it is one of my most favorite songs.
Crail Clinton
Gramma sang this to me when I was a kid. She never got the lyrics right and the pitch was terrible. But Gramma Browne did it so well. After, we got a story about growing up on the Kansas prairie of Humbolt KS. She had a job in a cafe and worked for tips. The stories still make make me wonder why the hell they stayed there during the depression. Always I will hold this near to my heart as a tribute to Granny Browne.
Zane Starr
Countless people have sung this song, but this man got it right...but then he always did...
jose latonio
...wait on my song. Not Queen...
Alan Towncar
Marty Robbins from the album "Just Me And My Guitar" What a Voice !!!!
ALesina Young
mum loved this version by Marty Robbins. just so so beautiful