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.
Small Man
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He was accustomed to danger
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
Into the township of Pecos he rode
Everyone noticed this stranger
Plainly it showed in the way that he rode in
Everyone watched as he climbed from his horse and walked by
Every eye dropped to the gun hanging low on his side
The silence was broken, the ranger had spoken
And these were his words
I've trailed an outlaw for thirty-six days
I'm twenty hours behind him
He's here in town so I'll just be around
Long as it takes me to find him, find him, find him
Slowly he turned and he looked down the street
Then he looked back to the crowd
Somethin' about him left no room to doubt
He spoke very little but loud, but loud, but loud
If it is pity you have for my size
Save it don't waste it, my friend
This equalizer I have on my hip
Makes me as big as the next man, next man, next man
Then from a door came a curse and they knew at a glance
The outlaw had stepped to the street to begin his advance
Women grabbed children, men grabbed their wives
And thay ran from the street
Even the soft, gentle breeze became still
Death had a minute to wait
Two hands would dive for a Colt forty-five
One hand would come up too late, too late, too late
"Go for your gun", was the outlaw's remark
"Tomorrow you'll sleep neath the stone."
The ranger replied, "There'll be plenty of time
After you go for your own, your own, your own."
All of a sudden it happened
Both of then grabbed for a gun
Both clearing leather, both fired together
Everyone thought it was one gun, one gun, one gun
A forty-five slug hit the outlaw and spun him around
His life was over, he died on his way to the ground
To our surprise we watched as the ranger
Took one faltering step
Slowly he crumbled and fell to the ground
A bullet was deep in his side
He looked all around but he spoke not a word
A faint little smile and he died, he died, he died
He was a small man but this man was all man
He was accustomed to danger
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
The song "Small Man" by Marty Robbins tells the story of a small ranger who arrives in the town of Pecos in search of an outlaw he's been trailing for 36 days. Despite his size, the ranger exudes confidence and instills fear in the hearts of the townspeople with the way he carries himself and handles his gun. He warns anyone who pities him for his size to save it because his gun makes him just as big as any other man.
The outlaw eventually appears and challenges the ranger to a duel. Both draw their guns and fire simultaneously, with the ranger killing the outlaw but getting mortally wounded himself in the process. He dies with a faint smile on his face, having successfully fulfilled his duty as a ranger.
The song is a classic western ballad that depicts the bravery, skill, and honor of a lone ranger. It also highlights how gunslinging was a way of life in the Wild West, where life and death were determined by the quickness of one's draw. The song's simple yet powerful lyrics and Robbins' emotive voice capture the tension and drama of the story.
Line by Line Meaning
He was a small man but this man was all man
Despite his size, he had all the qualities of a brave and strong man.
He was accustomed to danger
He was used to living in dangerous situations.
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
He was very familiar with the rough terrain and the all the dangerous outlaws who roamed around the area.
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
He was a law enforcement officer who worked as a ranger.
Into the township of Pecos he rode
He arrived in the town of Pecos.
Everyone noticed this stranger
The people in the town noticed him as he was not from around there.
Plainly it showed in the way that he rode in
His demeanor showed that he was more than just a typical passerby.
Everyone watched as he climbed from his horse and walked by
The people in the town were very interested in his arrival and observed him as he dismounted from his horse.
Every eye dropped to the gun hanging low on his side
Everyone noticed the gun he was carrying in a holster on his side.
The silence was broken, the ranger had spoken
He broke the silence and spoke.
And these were his words
He spoke the following statement.
I've trailed an outlaw for thirty-six days
He had been following an outlaw for 36 days.
I'm twenty hours behind him
He was close to catching up with the outlaw he had been tracking for over a month.
He's here in town so I'll just be around
The outlaw was in the town so he decided to wait around the town to capture him.
Long as it takes me to find him, find him, find him
He would continue looking for the outlaw until he was found.
Slowly he turned and he looked down the street
He slowly turned his head and looked down the street.
Then he looked back to the crowd
He then turned his gaze to the people gathered around.
Somethin' about him left no room to doubt
There was no doubt about his capability and authority.
He spoke very little but loud, but loud, but loud
He spoke very minimally, but it was very effective and powerful.
If it is pity you have for my size
If anyone feels sorry for his small size.
Save it don't waste it, my friend
He did not want or need anyone's pity.
This equalizer I have on my hip
He referred to his gun as an equalizer.
Makes me as big as the next man, next man, next man
His gun made him as strong and powerful as anyone else.
Then from a door came a curse and they knew at a glance
An outlaw came out of a door and everyone realized he was dangerous.
The outlaw had stepped to the street to begin his advance
The outlaw came out to confront the ranger.
Women grabbed children, men grabbed their wives
The town's people were running away because of the danger.
And thay ran from the street
They ran away from where the danger was.
Even the soft, gentle breeze became still
The atmosphere was tensed.
Death had a minute to wait
Someone's life was about to end.
Two hands would dive for a Colt forty-five
They both drew their guns from their holsters, both wielding Colt 45s.
One hand would come up too late, too late, too late
One person drew his gun too slowly.
"Go for your gun", was the outlaw's remark
The outlaw provoked the ranger to draw his gun.
"Tomorrow you'll sleep neath the stone."
Tomorrow you will be dead.
The ranger replied, "There'll be plenty of time
The ranger replied there is plenty of time.
After you go for your own, your own, your own."
When the outlaw fires his gun, the ranger will respond in turn.
All of a sudden it happened
Everything suddenly happened.
Both of then grabbed for a gun
Both the ranger and the outlaw drew their guns.
Both clearing leather, both fired together
They both shot each other at the same time.
Everyone thought it was one gun, one gun, one gun
The sound was so loud and fast that people thought it was only one gunshot.
A forty-five slug hit the outlaw and spun him around
The ranger hit the outlaw and he spun and fell to the ground.
His life was over, he died on his way to the ground
The outlaw died before he hit the ground.
To our surprise we watched as the ranger
The ranger then did something unexpected.
Took one faltering step
He took one step, but he struggled to balance himself.
Slowly he crumbled and fell to the ground
He then collapsed to the ground.
A bullet was deep in his side
He was shot in the side.
He looked all around but he spoke not a word
He examined his surroundings without saying anything.
A faint little smile and he died, he died, he died
He died with a faint smile.
He was a small man but this man was all man
Despite his small size, he was a real man.
He was accustomed to danger
He was used to dangerous situations.
He knew the badlands, he knew every bad man
He was very familiar with the rough terrain and all the dangerous outlaws who roamed around there.
This man was a ranger, ranger, ranger
He was a law enforcement officer who worked as a ranger.
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!