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.
The Little Green Valley
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Where Morning Glory vines are twining 'round my door
Oh, how I wish I were there again
Down in the little green valley
That's where my homesick heart will trouble me no more
There's only one thing ever gives me consolation
And that's the thought that I'll be going back someday
I pray the Lord to please take me
Back to that little old green valley far away
I hear a mockingbird down in the little green valley
He's singing out a song of welcome just for me
And someone waits by the garden gate
Down in the little green valley
When I get back again, how happy she will be
And by a little babbling brook, once more we'll wander
And in a shady nook, we'll dream the hours away
And I will leave all my cares behind
Go where I know I'll find sunshine
Back to that little old green valley far away
"The Little Green Valley" by Marty Robbins is an emotional song that describes the singer's longing to return to a peaceful and beautiful place where he feels truly at home. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the little green valley where the singer once lived and longs to return to. He describes seeing a candlelight in the distance, surrounded by Morning Glory vines, twining around his door. He wishes to be back in the valley, where his homesick heart can find solace.
The singer finds consolation in the thought that one day he will return to the little green valley. He prays to the Lord every night, hoping that he will be taken back to this place where he belongs. The valley represents a place of serenity and happiness for him. He hears a mockingbird singing a song of welcome, and he knows someone will be waiting for him by the garden gate. The singer yearns to return to the little brook by which he once dreamed and wishes to be reunited with someone special in his life.
The song is a poignant expression of the universal human desire to return to a place that we love and feel a sense of belonging. The singer's words capture the beauty of nature and its power to soothe our sorrows. The lyrics evoke a sense of nostalgia and longing for a simpler time and place. The little green valley represents an ideal, a place of peace, and freedom where one can escape from the cares of everyday life.
Line by Line Meaning
I see a candlelight down in the little green valley
Observing a flickering candle in the little green valley
Where Morning Glory vines are twining 'round my door
Spotting the beautiful Morning Glory vines twisting their way around the door
Oh, how I wish I were there again
Expressing a strong desire to visit the little green valley again
Down in the little green valley
Referring to the peaceful valley with greenery all around
That's where my homesick heart will trouble me no more
Assuming that being in the valley will provide relief from the pain of homesickness
There's only one thing ever gives me consolation
Stating that only one thought provides comfort
And that's the thought that I'll be going back someday
Saying that the comforting thought is of returning to the valley at some point
And ev'ry night down upon my knees
Kneeling in prayer every night
I pray the Lord to please take me
Asking the Lord to take them back to the little green valley
Back to that little old green valley far away
Describing the valley as old and far away, but still worth going back to
I hear a mockingbird down in the little green valley
Hearing the melody of the mockingbird in the valley
He's singing out a song of welcome just for me
Feeling that the bird is singing a song of welcome specifically for them
And someone waits by the garden gate
Knowing that someone is waiting by the garden gate in the valley
When I get back again, how happy she will be
Expecting the person waiting to be happy when they return
And by a little babbling brook, once more we'll wander
Walking again beside a small brook that chatters happily
And in a shady nook, we'll dream the hours away
Spending time alone with the person in a secluded spot, enjoying the time together and losing track of time
And I will leave all my cares behind
Promising to leave all worries behind upon arriving in the valley
Go where I know I'll find sunshine
Heading to the place where they know they'll find happiness and warmth
Back to that little old green valley far away
Confirming the intention to return to the green valley, despite it being far away
Lyrics © Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Carson J. Robison
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!