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.
Long Gone Lonesome Blues
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But I got to the river so lonesome I wanted to die, Oh Lord!
And then I jumped in the river, but the doggone river was dry.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
I had me a woman who couldn't be true.
She made me for my money and she made me blue.
A man needs a woman that he can lean on,
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
I'm gonna find me a river, one that's cold as ice.
And when I find me that river, Lord I'm gonna pay the price, Oh Lord!
I'm goin' down in it three times, but Lord I'm only comin' up twice.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
She told me on Sunday she was checkin' me out
Long about Monday she was nowhere about.
And here it is Tuesday, ain't had no news.
I got them gone but not forgotten blues.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
The lyrics to Marty Robbins's song "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" describe a man's deep sense of loneliness and heartbreak after his woman leaves him. He goes down to the river to try and find solace but instead feels even more lonely and desperate - so much so that he jumps into the river but finds that it is dry. The chorus "She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue" is repeated after each verse, emphasizing the overwhelming sadness that the man is experiencing.
The second verse explains that the man's woman was unfaithful and used him for his money. He laments that he needs a woman to rely on, but his support system has now disappeared. The third verse describes how the man plans to find a new river, one that is "cold as ice" and will cause him to suffer, perhaps as a way of punishing himself for his failed relationship. The final verse describes the woman's sudden disappearance and lack of communication, leaving the man with the "gone but not forgotten blues".
Overall, the lyrics of "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" speak to the universal experience of heartbreak and the feeling of loneliness that can persist even after a relationship ends.
Line by Line Meaning
I went down to the river to watch the fish swim by;
I went to the river to find some peace, but my loneliness was so intense that I wished to die.
But I got to the river so lonesome I wanted to die, Oh Lord!
I was so alone that it caused me pain and I wished to end my suffering.
And then I jumped in the river, but the doggone river was dry.
I tried to find some solace but was let down yet again in my attempts to find happiness.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
My love is gone and I am left with nothing but sadness.
I had me a woman who couldn't be true.
I had a partner who was dishonest and unfaithful to me.
She made me for my money and she made me blue.
My partner exploited me for my financial resources and made me feel depressed.
A man needs a woman that he can lean on,
Every person needs a supportive partner who they can rely on for emotional support.
But my leanin' post is done left and gone.
My source of support has vanished and I am left without anyone to lean on.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
My love is gone and I am left with nothing but sadness.
I'm gonna find me a river, one that's cold as ice.
I will continue my search for peace and solace, no matter how difficult and painful it might be.
And when I find me that river, Lord I'm gonna pay the price, Oh Lord!
My search for peace will come at a great cost, but I am willing to endure the pain.
I'm goin' down in it three times, but Lord I'm only comin' up twice.
I will continue to dive into my search for happiness, but it will only bring me pain and heartache.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
My love is gone and I am left with nothing but sadness.
She told me on Sunday she was checkin' me out
My partner informed me that she was evaluating our relationship on Sunday.
Long about Monday she was nowhere about.
By Monday, she had disappeared without any explanation or warning.
And here it is Tuesday, ain't had no news.
It is now Tuesday, and I have not heard anything from my partner.
I got them gone but not forgotten blues.
I cannot forget my lost love and am left in a state of deep sadness and despair.
She's long gone, and now I'm lonesome blue.
My love is gone and I am left with nothing but sadness.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK WILLIAMS SR.
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!