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.
Cool Water
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Without the taste of water, cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water
Cool, clear, water
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
Each star's a pool of water
Cool water
And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
And carry on to water, cool clear water
Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water, cool clear water
The shadows sway and seem to say
Tonight we pray for water
Cool water
And way up there he'll hear our prayer
And show us where
There's water, cool clear water
Keep a-movin, Dan, don't you listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water, cool, clear, water
Cool, clear, water
"Cool Water" is a song by Marty Robbins that tells the story of his journey through a barren, dry wasteland with his horse, Old Dan. The song describes their desperate search for water to quench their thirst and restore their souls. The opening lines present the dire situation they are in, and how their craving for water has consumed them. The chorus beautifully describes the kind of water they crave, which is cool and clear. The verses also talk about how the stars seemingly reflect pools of water, and the hope that awaits them the next day for this liquid gold.
The song's lyrics go on to describe how Old Dan and Robbins encounter the Devil or a similarly evil presence, who spreads burning sand to prevent them from finding water. However, they persevere in their search and eventually come across a big, green tree where water is running free. The last few lines encourage Old Dan to keep moving and not to heed the Devil's advice, and Robbins reminds Dan of the clear water awaiting them under the big, green tree.
What makes "Cool Water" so hauntingly beautiful is the vivid imagery it conjures up of the parched landscape and the duo's thirst. It's a metaphor for the spiritual journey that we all follow in life. Finding cool, clear water is a metaphor for our quest for spiritual sustenance and rejuvenation.
Line by Line Meaning
All day I've faced a barren waste
Throughout the day, I have been traversing a desolate and lifeless terrain
Without the taste of water, cool water
Unfortunately, I am devoid of the refreshing sensation of water, especially cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
My companion, Old Dan, and I are experiencing severe dehydration resulting in dry, parched throats
And souls that cry for water
Our spirits are yearning for water to quench our thirst and replenish our vitality
Cool, clear, water
The specific type of water we are craving is cool and crystal clear
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
Despite the soothing temperature of the nights, I feel foolish for traveling in such an unforgiving environment
Each star's a pool of water
In my delirium, I am imagining stars as shimmering pools of water
And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
Upon sunrise, I will awaken and involuntarily stretch my mouth widely, craving water to alleviate my dryness
And carry on to water, cool clear water
I will continue my journey in the hopes of finding the essential life-giving liquid I desire so greatly, which is cool and crystal clear water
Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan
I encourage my companion, Dan, to keep on moving and ignore the temptations to stop due to the opposing voice's deceptive instructions
He's a devil, not a man
The voice trying to mislead Dan is not human but rather a diabolical entity
And he spreads the burning sand with water
This wicked voice is tricking Dan by promising moisture but only causing more harm through spreading scorching sand
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Dan, do you notice the large and abundant tree in the near distance?
Where the water's runnin' free
Water is flowing easily and plentifully near that tree
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Surely this readily available water is there for us to relieve our thirst and attempt to restore our well-being
The shadows sway and seem to say
The movements of the shadows around us appear to be murmuring something
Tonight we pray for water
This evening, we will devote ourselves to prayer and positivity, particularly for the attainment of water
And way up there he'll hear our prayer
We have faith that the divine spirit will hear our ardent requests for aid
And show us where there's water, cool clear water
God will reveal to us the sought-after substance, water that is invigoratingly cool and crystal clear
Cool, clear, water
Once again, the song ends with a reminder of the type of water we desire, cool and crystal clear water
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bob Nolan
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@youtubizeiro
All day I've faced a barren waste
Without the taste of water, cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water
Cool, clear water
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
Each star's a pool of water, cool water
And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
And carry on to water
Cool, clear water
Keep a-movin', Dan, don't you listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burnin' sand with water
Dan, can you see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water, cool, clear water
The shadows sway and seem to say
"Tonight we pray for water, cool water"
And way up there He'll hear our prayer
And show us where there's water
Cool, clear water
Keep a-movin', Dan, don't you listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burnin' sand with water
Dan, can you see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water, cool, clear water
Cool, clear water
@margaritaharing6929
[Verse 1]
All day I've faced a barren waste
Without the taste of water, cool water
Old Dan and I with throats burned dry
And souls that cry for water
Cool, clear water
[Verse 2]
The nights are cool and I'm a fool
Each star's a pool of water
Cool water
And with the dawn I'll wake and yawn
And carry on to water
Cool, clear water
[Verse 3]
Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waiting there for you and me?
Water
Cool, clear water
[Verse 4]
The shadows sway and seem to say
Tonight we pray for water
Cool water
And way up there He'll hear our prayer
And show us where there's water
Cool, clear water
[Verse 5]
Keep a-movin, Dan, dontcha listen to him, Dan
He's a devil, not a man
And he spreads the burning sand with water
Dan, can ya see that big, green tree?
Where the water's runnin' free
And it's waitin' there for you and me?
Water
Cool, clear water
Cool, clear water
@doccosborn316
My dad sung this song to me every morning at 4:30am to wake me up to go help him feed 200 head of cattle on 400 acres, he's gone now and I'm a man In my 40s in a country I barely recognize, such is life I suppose, at least these ballads exist to teleport me to a simpler time.
@adrian2004tgm
You have nice memories at least
@cortelyons9540
You had the dream, I have the nightmare it seems.
@doccosborn316
@Corte Lyons maybe?
@RedMoonsEcho
You all don't give up on dreams if u run into trouble and bad luck. Keep going until u get to that cool clear water
@neptunearnatuk6378
my father also woke me up with Christian music in the morning. just played his keyboard while singing as well before i went to school. now that I'm far from home, I guess I do miss home as well
@ruthelizabeth9638
I am 64, my Dad played this album on Sundays, fond memories
@mcplanmuneh2350
I am a young kid, I love Marty Robbins voice! I like his songs(with a few favorites of course). I haven't heard all the songs but I'm sure they are all great and interesting.
I see many older people talking about how they used to listen to these songs since they were around or in their teenage years. I hope to be able to grow up with these songs as well.
I hope the lord has a spot for Mr. Robins
@ruthelizabeth9638
@McPlan Muneh You have very good taste in music.
@mcplanmuneh2350
@Ruth Elizabeth Thank you kindly,
ma'am/sir. Hoping you have a good day.