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.
In the Valley
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That weeps in the valley
Since you've gone,
Since you've gone from my arms
I'm as sad as the cold wind
That rythes in the treetops,
I'll be lonesome until you return
Come back, come back,
Come back to the valley,
Come back to this poor cowboy's arms
I will weep like the willow
That weeps in the valley,
I'll be lonesome until you return
Come back, come back,
Come back to the valley,
Come back to this poor cowboy's arms
I will weep like the willow
That weeps in the valley,
I'll be lonesome until you return
The song "In the Valley" by Marty Robbins expresses the sadness and loneliness of a cowboy who is separated from his lover. The lyrics compare his feelings to the weeping willow and the cold wind that rustles through the treetops. These natural elements symbolize the sorrow and desolation that the cowboy experiences. The repetition of the phrase "Come back to the valley" further emphasizes the yearning and desperation that he feels, as he longs to be reunited with his loved one. The final lines of the song, "I will weep like the willow, I'll be lonesome until you return," poignantly convey the depth of his emotions and his unwavering devotion.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm as sad as the willow
I'm feeling deeply hurt and sorrowful
That weeps in the valley
Just like how the willow tree sheds tears in the valley
Since you've gone,
Ever since you've departed
Since you've gone from my arms
Ever since you've left my embrace
I'm as sad as the cold wind
I'm as lonely and melancholic as the cold wind
That rythes in the treetops,
That rustles the leaves in the treetops
I'll be lonesome until you return
I'll be lonely and desolate until you come back
Come back, come back,
Please come back, I implore
Come back to the valley,
Return to this place we both love
Come back to this poor cowboy's arms
Come back to my loving embrace
I will weep like the willow
I will cry profusely like the willow tree
That weeps in the valley,
That is shedding tears in the valley
I'll be lonesome until you return
I'll be lonely until you come back to me
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
A
on Johnny Fedavo
This is a fantastic, emotional song, thanks to whoever added the meaning behind the lyrics to this song. Makes it easy for some to understand a bit better!