I’m Movin’ On
Ray Charles Lyrics


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That big eight-wheeler runnin' down the track
Means your true lovin' daddy ain't acomin' back
Cause he's movin on, he's rollin on
You were flyin to high for my little ol' sky
So I'm movin' on

But some day baby when you've had you play
Your gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
Keep movin' on, keep rollin' on
You were flyin to high for my little ol' sky
So I'm movin' on. Move on baby.

Mr. Farmer won't you please listen to me
Cause I gotta pretty momma in Tennessee
Keep rollin on, keep movin' on,
Please listen to me let this rattler free
And keep movin' on

Move on ol' son, move on
Well I told you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
And now I'm movin' on, I'm rollin' on
I'm through with you, too bad you're blue
But I'm movin' on

Move on baby, move on
I said move on, I said move on,
I said move on, I said move on,
Well I'm through with you, too bad you're blue




I said move on, I said move on
I said move on, I said move on

Overall Meaning

The song "I'm Movin' On" by Ray Charles is an upbeat, fast-paced track that expresses the need for moving on from a toxic relationship, a theme that is all too relatable. The singer of the song has found himself in a relationship that just wasn't meant to be, and after trying to make it work for a while, he realizes that it's time for him to move on. The opening lines of the song compare his decision to leave to a big eight-wheeler running down the track, signifying that his departure is a done deal. The repetition of "moving on" and "rolling on" emphasizes the finality of the decision and the determination to not look back.


The second verse addresses his former partner, warning her that even though she may eventually come to regret her actions and try to come back, he will have already moved on. The line "You were flying too high for my little ol' sky" is a metaphor for her being out of his league, and he's come to terms with that. The third verse takes a slight detour, addressing a farmer and pleading with him to release a snake that was caught in his plow. This section feels like a nod to traditional country music themes and storytelling, where unrelated elements come together to form a cohesive narrative.


Overall, "I'm Movin' On" is a song about finding the strength to leave a relationship that's just not working out. The upbeat tempo and infectious melody make it an easy song to dance to, but the underlying message is still one of heartbreak and a desire to move forward.


Line by Line Meaning

That big eight-wheeler runnin' down the track
The train that you see passing by signifies that your true loving father has decided to leave without telling you


Means your true lovin' daddy ain't acomin' back
The fact that the train is leaving represents that your father has made the decision to never return


Cause he's movin on, he's rollin on
Your father is moving on and rolling forward with his life


You were flyin to high for my little ol' sky
You wanted something bigger and better than what I could offer you


So I'm movin' on
Therefore, I am going to leave and move on with my life


But some day baby when you've had you play
At some point in the future, when you have had your fun and are tired of playing games


Your gonna want your daddy but your daddy will say
You'll want to turn to your father for comfort, but he won't be there for you


Keep movin' on, keep rollin' on
He will continue to move forward in life


Mr. Farmer won't you please listen to me
Hey Mr. Farmer, could you please listen to what I am about to say?


Cause I gotta pretty momma in Tennessee
I have a beautiful mother waiting for me in Tennessee


Please listen to me let this rattler free
Please heed my request to let the snake go and leave it alone


And keep movin' on
And then we can continue to move forward


I'm through with you, too bad you're blue
I am done with you and your sadness is unfortunate


I said move on, I said move on
I am telling you to move on with your life, again and again




Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: HANK SNOW

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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