Foley was born in Blue Lick, Kentucky. He began playing the guitar and the harmonica as a young boy and at age seventeen he won first prize in a statewide talent show. Ultimately he signed with Decca Records in 1941. His hit songs include Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy, Old Shep, Sugarfoot Rag, and Tennessee Saturday Night. Peace in the Valley, backed up by The Sunshine Boys, in 1951 became the first gospel record to sell a million copies, and One By One, a duet with Kitty Wells, became a chart topper in 1954.
For more than two decades, Foley was a major star of country music, selling in excess of twenty-five million records. During 1962-63, Foley was a regular cast member along with Fess Parker in the television series, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.
Red Foley was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1967. For his contribution to the music industry, Red Foley also has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6225 Hollywood Blvd.
He died unexpectedly in 1968 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of fifty-eight from a heart attack. He is interred in the Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee.
His daughter from his second marriage to Judy Martin (nee: Eva Alaine Overstake) is Shirley Lee Foley who is married to singer Pat Boone. His granddaughter is singer Debby Boone.
Tennessee Border
Red Foley Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Her smile was like an angel fair
She was her daddy`s only daughter
On the Tennessee Border
[Chorus]
One night I took a ride just across the line
I picked her up in a pickup truck
Her mama said: "No-o, she`s my only daughter,"
But we got married on the Tennessee Border.
The roses were bloomin` there on the Border
The moon was shinin` there
Her personality made me want her
On the Tennessee Border.
[Chorus]
The lyrics to Red Foley's Tennessee Border tell the story of a man and a woman who fall in love on the Tennessee border. The woman is described as having beautiful blue eyes, auburn hair, and an angelic smile. She is also the only daughter of her father. Despite her mother's objections to their relationship, the man and woman end up marrying each other on the border.
The song highlights the idea of forbidden love, with the woman's mother trying to keep her daughter away from the man. However, their love proves to be too strong and they end up eloping. The imagery in the song, such as the blooming roses and shining moon, adds to the romantic atmosphere of the lyrics.
Overall, Tennessee Border is a classic country song that tells a timeless story of young love overcoming obstacles.
Line by Line Meaning
Her eyes were blue, her hair was auburn
She had bright blue eyes and reddish-brown hair.
Her smile was like an angel fair
She had a beautiful, angelic smile that lit up her whole face.
She was her daddy`s only daughter
She was the only daughter of her father.
On the Tennessee Border
She lived on the border of Tennessee.
One night I took a ride just across the line
One night, I drove across the Tennessee border.
I picked her up in a pickup truck
I met her and drove her around in my pickup truck.
And she broke this heart of mine
She caused me emotional pain and heartbreak.
Her mama said: 'No-o, she`s my only daughter,'
Her mother did not want her daughter to marry me.
But we got married on the Tennessee Border.
We got married on the Tennessee border, despite her mother's objections.
The roses were bloomin` there on the Border
The roses were in full bloom on the Tennessee border.
The moon was shinin` there
The moon was bright and shining on the Tennessee border.
Her personality made me want her
I was attracted to her personality and wanted to be with her.
On the Tennessee Border.
We fell in love and got married on the Tennessee border.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JIMMY WORK
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
debra jean wagoner
Loved this song since I was a child. Still Do.
E171955
Ernie Newton’s “ brush bass” drives this tune along really well! Great guitar too from Zeb Turner.
sharon morrison
Great Song from Red Foley love this one Thanks Sharon
RareRock
There is a live version he sang on The Ozark Jubilee TV Show which does sound even more interesting (to me). Same instrumentation but his vocals are slightly different in the live version. He's improvising a few lines and it just sounds fabulous....Maybe because it's got slightly more of a swing feel.
Tim Mercer
It's folk like Red Foley who made me take up the guitar and steel to do my own version, and why not?
Tim Frix
hes one of the best
Fecske
Porter Wagoner did good on this song, too.
debra jean wagoner
Porter learned a lot from Red Foley during his time on the Ozark Jubilee
Sharon McLain
Takes me back to my high school years! (Gosh, I must be OLD!) :-)
NoDramaMomma
Thought Hank Sr. Did this first?!