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.
There's Power In The Blood
Marty Robbins Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There′s power in the blood power in the blood
Would you o'er evil a victory win
There′s wonderfull power in the blood
There is power power wonder working power in the blood of the lamb
There is power power wonder working power in the precious blood of lamb
There's power in the blood power in the blood
Sin's stains are lost and it′s life giving flow
There′s one flicker power in the blood
There is power power...
Would you do service for Jesus your king
There's power in the blood power in the blood
Would you lift David his praises to sing
There′s wonderfull power in the blood
There is power power...
Marty Robbins's song "There's Power In The Blood" is a Christian hymn that has been widely popular among different denominations. The song speaks about the power and wonder of the blood of Jesus Christ, particularly in regard to freeing oneself from the burden of sin, gaining victory over evil, whitening oneself as snow, and doing service to Jesus Christ. The lyrics suggest that by accepting and relinquishing oneself to the blood of Jesus Christ, one can be freed from the chains of sin, be filled with life-giving energy, and be empowered to serve one's Savior.
The first stanza of the song asks the listener if they want to be free from the burden of sin, and affirms that the power to do so lies in the blood of Jesus Christ. Similarly, the second stanza speaks to the listener who desires to overcome evil, to be whiter than snow, and to thank Jesus Christ for his blessings. The chorus of the song repeats the phrase "There is power, power, wonder-working power in the blood of the lamb/precious blood of lamb," emphasizing the unyielding power of Jesus Christ's sacrifice. Finally, the last stanza speaks of service to Jesus Christ, of glorifying Him, and of the leading role that His precious blood plays in empowering the believer to do so.
Overall, Marty Robbins's "There's Power In The Blood" seeks to convey to the listener the incredible power and significance of the blood of Jesus Christ. The song inspires the believer to recognize the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the transformative power of His blood, and the profound impact that accepting this gift can have on one's life.
Line by Line Meaning
Would you be free from your burden of sin
If you desire to be free from the heavy weight of the sins that burden you, listen closely to what I'm about to say.
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
By the virtue of having the blood of the lamb, there exists an incredible, wonder-working power in it.
Would you o'er evil a victory win
Should you require a victory over evil, know that the blood holds an immensely powerful force in this regard.
There's wonderful power in the blood
One can't help but marvel at the life-changing power that the precious blood of the lamb provides to those who believe.
There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the blood of the lamb
It's important to re-iterate just how magnificent the power that blood has, as it's truly a miraculous wonder-working force.
There is power, power, wonder-working power, in the precious blood of the lamb
Whether you refer to it simply by 'blood', or by the more wholesome 'precious blood of the lamb' moniker, its power is undeniable.
Would you be whiter much wither than snow
If the goal is to have a complexion that's whiter than snow, sin stains and all impurities will need to be eradicated. Fortunately, the blood has the ability to accomplish this.
Sin's stains are lost and it's life-giving flow
As promised, the blood does indeed wash away all traces of sin, moreover, it provides life-giving properties above all else.
There's one flicker power in the blood
One should not be mistaken into thinking that the blood's power is lacking or weak, there is indeed an abundance of power within it.
Would you do service for Jesus your king
If you're interested in serving Jesus as your king, there's no better starting point than to recognize the significance and potency of his blood.
There's power in the blood, power in the blood
Let it be known that the blood holds a wealth of life-changing, status-changing power within it.
Would you lift David his praises to sing
And finally, should you consider it an honor to sing David's praises (or anyone's praises for that matter), such an opportunity is facilitated by the power of the blood as well.
Writer(s): Don Marsh, Lewis Jones
Contributed by Lily O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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!