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.
Many Tears Ago
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, how happy was this heart of mine
Then a dark cloud came from out of nowhere
And the sun went down, no more to shine
Many tears ago, I've learned too well, love
What it means to bear a heavy load
I found out just what is meant by sorrow
Many tears ago along life's road
I built it very strong and very tall
Though I thought it had a firm foundation
Many tears ago I saw it fall
Many tears ago, was in the springtime
When you said goodbye and went away
Oh, how well this achin' heart remembers
Many, many tears ago today
The lyrics of Marty Robbins's song "Many Tears Ago" describe the pain that the singer has experienced in the past. The song opens by describing a time when the singer was happy because someone he or she loved said they loved him or her. But a dark cloud suddenly appeared and took away the happiness that the singer felt. The sun went down, and there was no more shining light. The singer then goes on to say that he or she has learned what it means to bear a heavy load and experience sorrow. It seems that the singer had a difficult time dealing with the pain of losing someone he or she loved. The dark clouds and the sun setting represent the singer's emotions, which turned dark and gloomy once the love affair ended.
The second half of the song describes how the singer built a castle, which he or she thought was very strong and tall. The castle likely represents the singer's feelings of strength and stability before falling in love. However, the singer eventually discovered that the foundation of the castle was not as firm as he or she thought. The castle ultimately fell, and the singer experienced heartbreak as a result. The last verse talks about how the singer remembers the heartache that occurred in the springtime many tears ago. The singer still feels the pain, as if it only happened today.
Line by Line Meaning
Many tears ago you said you loved me
Once upon a time, you professed your love for me, dear
Oh, how happy was this heart of mine
My dear heart was filled with so much joy upon hearing your words
Then a dark cloud came from out of nowhere
Alas, suddenly our happy moment was turned bleak and uncertain
And the sun went down, no more to shine
Our once brilliant sky turned dark - no longer offering us any rays of light
Many tears ago, I've learned too well, love
As the years passed by, dear, I painfully learned the true weight and depth of love
What it means to bear a heavy load
I discovered all too vividly how difficult and strenuous love can be
I found out just what is meant by sorrow
My heart experienced firsthand the true depth and intensity of pain and grief
Many tears ago along life's road
As I journeyed along life's path, dear, I encountered countless moments of sorrow and tears
Many tears ago I built a castle
In the past, I constructed a fortress - strong and mighty
I built it very strong and very tall
I invested much time and effort ensuring that it was built resiliently, hoping it would last forever
Though I thought it had a firm foundation
Having complete trust and confidence in my structure, I believed it had a sturdy, unshakeable ground beneath it
Many tears ago I saw it fall
A time came when my castle crumbled to the ground, leaving me sobbing with great sadness
Many tears ago, was in the springtime
It was a beautiful spring day, dear, when you declared your departure
When you said goodbye and went away
And, with that, you left me behind - bidding me farewell and going on your way
Oh, how well this achin' heart remembers
The anguish and pain of that futureless moment is still vividly etched in my heavy heart
Many, many tears ago today
And today, even after so many lonely years have passed, the wound still feels as fresh as it was many tears ago
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: SCOTT WINFIELD
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bubs D
Many tears ago you said you loved me
Oh, how happy was this heart of mine
Then a dark cloud came from out of nowhere
And the sun went down, no more to shine
Many tears ago, I've learned too well, love
What it means to bear a heavy load
I found out just what is meant by sorrow
Many tears ago along life's road
Many tears ago I built a castle
I built it very strong and very tall
Though I thought it had a firm foundation
Many tears ago I saw it fall
Many tears ago, was in the springtime
When you said goodbye and went away
Oh, how well this achin' heart remembers
Many, many tears ago today
Zane Starr
Anyone needing the definition of talent, simply watch this man. He has it in spades
Sandi Davis
I can't get enough of Marty
Anne Marie MacKay
I am 73 years old and have listened to Marty for many many years. Talented man who left us too soon. Read Diane Diekmann's book on Marty and cried when I read it. RIP Marty
twinPaula12
What a wonderfully smooth voice Marty has. He can sing anything and make it special. I've always loved this old song. The fellows with him are great and it's always great to hear such talent as this which is hard to find these days. Thank you for posting this winner. - Paula
Maj-Brith H
What a great voice!
Georges Desrosiers
Paul daraiche
Ray Pryke
This is Marty at his best. Need I say more?
Shirley Lawlor
Just beautiful could listen to him all day ,,,
Jim Beaumont
only great SINGERS back then. Marty was the best. No question.
kallisann
Just wanted to say ,thank you for posting. Our Marty was one of a vey special kind. He sure could deliver a song and tell stories. RIP ..till we meet again