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.
My Woman My Woman My Wife
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Doing work that never gets done
Hair, that's lost some of the beauty
By too many hours in the sun
Eyes, that show some disappointment
And there's been quite a lot in her life
She's the foundation I lean on
Everyday has been uphill
Oh, we climb but we can't reach the top
I'm weak and I'm easily discouraged
She just smiles when I want to stop
Lips, that are weary but tender
With love, that strengthens my life
A saint, in a dress made of gingham
My woman, my woman, my wife
Two little babies were born in the spring
But died when the winter was new
I lost control of my mind and my soul
But my woman's faith carried us through
When she reaches that river
Lord, you know what she's worth
Give her that mansion up yonder
'Cause she's been through hell here on earth
Lord, give her my share of Heaven
If I've earned any here in this life
'Cause God, I believe she deserves it
My woman, my woman, my wife
Marty Robbins's song My Woman My Woman My Wife is a tribute to a man's lifetime companion, his wife. The opening lines give us an image of a woman who has aged gracefully, showing wrinkles on her strong hands from work that is never-ending. Her hair is no longer as beautiful as it once was due to long hours spent in the sun. Her eyes show disappointment, but despite the difficulties she's faced in her life, she is the foundation that her husband leans on. She has supported him through thick and thin, always with a smile on her face.
The next verse reveals the uphill struggle that the couple has faced, with every day being a challenge that they find difficult to overcome. But the husband is quick to point out that his wife's love keeps him going. Her lips, though weary, are tender and her love strengthens his life. He affectionately describes her as a saint, wearing a gingham dress.
The song's bridge refers to a tragic period of the couple's life when they lost two of their babies close to one another. The husband describes this period as a time when he lost control of his mind and soul, but his wife's faith carried them through.
In the final verse, the husband speaks of his wife's worth and how she deserves heaven, as she has been through hell on earth. He asks God to give her his share of heaven if he has earned any in his life. The song is a touching tribute to a wife's enduring love and support, and it highlights the importance of having a lifetime companion to lean on during life's ups and downs.
Line by Line Meaning
Hands that are strong but wrinkled
Doing work that never gets done
My wife's hands have been worn and aged through years of hard work that never ends
Hair, that's lost some of the beauty
By too many hours in the sun
The sun has faded my wife's once beautiful hair, but it never affects her dedication towards me and our family
Eyes, that show some disappointment
And there's been quite a lot in her life
My wife's eyes have seen many difficulties and disappointments over the years, but she remains my strong foundation
She's the foundation I lean on
My woman, my woman, my wife
My wife is always there for me and she's the only one I can depend on when things go wrong. She is the most important person in my life
Everyday has been uphill
Oh, we climb but we can't reach the top
I'm weak and I'm easily discouraged
She just smiles when I want to stop
Life is tough for us, and we face challenges every day. I easily get discouraged, but my wife keeps me motivated, and her smiles give me the strength to keep going
Lips, that are weary but tender
With love, that strengthens my life
A saint, in a dress made of gingham
My woman, my woman, my wife
My wife's lips are tired, but still full of love and care that keeps me going. She is my saint, always dressed in humble gingham, the epitome of what a true woman is
Two little babies were born in the spring
But died when the winter was new
I lost control of my mind and my soul
But my woman's faith carried us through
We faced tough times, our babies died and I lost myself in despair, but it was the strength of my wife's faith that kept us going
When she reaches that river
Lord, you know what she's worth
Give her that mansion up yonder
'Cause she's been through hell here on earth
When my wife reaches the end of her days, I hope the good Lord grants her the rewards she deserves for all the hardships she's faced during her life.
Lord, give her my share of Heaven
If I've earned any here in this life
'Cause God, I believe she deserves it
My woman, my woman, my wife
I wish to give my wife all the rewards and love reserved for me in heaven because she is the one who rightfully deserves it more. She is my woman, my woman, my wife
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Royalty Network, Capitol CMG Publishing
Written by: MARTY ROBBINS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tarquin45
A song that is difficult enough to sing standing up, but here one of the greatest vocalists America has ever produced, can sing it sitting down! There'll never be another Marty Robbins. Absolutely no limits to his talents.
@DrBill-zv5dx
I was trying to hit the high notes. No one sings like him :)
@sylviaallan9026
This is Marty's Song as he wrote it.
@elaineacosta5356
I agree with you whole heartedly and this one will always be a treasure for all to remember for sure forever for all time.Marty Robbins will always be remembered as a great songwriter, of country music. E. A.
@wendypeters3269
This song reminds me of my mom ... I play it and I think of her ...so strong and had been through a lot in her life ....miss her sooo much 36 years later doesn't get any easier
@JMarkJones
Marty Robbins, Ray Price and Jim Reeves...the three big golden voices of country music, never to be duplicated.
Marty at his very best right here. This song is a masterpiece, delivered by a master.
@stevendudley5687
What abour George Jones?
@stevejenkins6924
One of the best singers ever lived!
@judymarie1
This beautiful and heartfelt song brings tears to my eyes especially the part of the loss of children. It's a song that attests to the strength and love of a woman and mother.
@emeraldcoast7917
I LOVE this song ! RIP, Marty. We are still singing your song !