Cash released her first single in 1979, a duet with Bobby Bare called "We Don't Need No Memories Hangin' 'Round". Two years later, she had her first country No. 1 (and the biggest commercial hit of her career), "Seven Year Ache". Although Cash was a prominent country star throughout the '80s, alongside fellow decade-defining artists Emmylou Harris, Juice Newton, and Dolly Parton, her music was anything but traditional: She topped the charts with songs written not only by herself, but by her father ("Tennessee Flat Top Box"), John Hiatt ("The Way We Make a Broken Heart"), Tom Petty ("Never Be You") and the Beatles ("I Don't Want to Spoil the Party"), "I Don't Know Why You Don't Want Me", which won her a Grammy in 1985, and "It's Such a Small World", a 1987 duet with Rodney Crowell on his album Diamonds & Dirt, provided further hits. A sampling of these songs and more are included on the compilation Hits 1979-1989. In 1979, she married Rodney Crowell, who was to produce most of her hit records. Their stormy marriage lasted until 1992; its break-up is chronicled in Cash's Interiors and in Crowell's album Life Is Messy. Cash later married John Leventhal, who produced her albums The Wheel, 10 Song Demo, Rules of Travel, and Black Cadillac.
To date, Cash has had more than twenty top 40 country singles, including eleven chart-toppers, but none since 1990, and she has left Nashville in both spirit and body to pursue her artistic vision. Although she had recorded all of her hits for Columbia Records' Nashville division, she released 10 Song Demo for the pop division of Capitol. Cash resurfaced in 2003 with Rules of Travel. The album features guest appearances by Sheryl Crow and Steve Earle, as well as a tune penned by Joe Henry and the Wallflowers' Jakob Dylan. Cash's latest album, entitled Black Cadillac, was released by Capitol Records in January 2006 to critical acclaim. Many of the songs were written by Cash and address the losses (within a 24-month span) of her step-mother, her father, her step-sister (Rosey Nix Adams) and then finally her mother on Cash's fiftieth birthday.
I'm Movin' On
Rosanne Cash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Means your true lovin' mama ain't comin' back
Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
You were flyin' too high for my little sky
So I'm movin' on
That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
Said hello to the south land we're comin' to you
You had the laugh on me so I've set you free
And I'm movin' on
I told you baby from time to time
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
Now I'm movin' on, I'm rollin' on
You have broken your vow and it's all over now
And I'm movin' on
But someday baby when you've had your play
You're gonna want your momma but your momma will say
Keep movin' on, you stayed away too long
Oh I'm through with you too bad you're blue
And I'm movin' on
That big eight wheeler rollin' down the track
Means your true lovin' mama ain't comin' back
Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
You were flyin' too high for my little sky
So I'm movin' on
Movin' on
I'll soon be gone
The song "I'm Movin' On" by Rosanne Cash is a country classic that tells the story of a woman who has decided to leave her man behind and move on with her life. The "big eight-wheeler rollin' down the track" signifies that she is leaving for good and her "true lovin' mama ain't comin' back". She has made up her mind and is "movin' on" to a new life, leaving behind a relationship that has become toxic and unfulfilling.
The lyrics suggest that the woman tried to make things work, but her partner was not receptive to her needs. She tells him that he was "flyin' too high for my little sky" and that she is setting him free. She had warned him before that she might leave, but he didn't listen. Now, she has "broken [her] vow" to stay with him, and is "movin' on" for her own happiness and wellbeing.
The chorus repeats the idea that the woman is leaving for good, and while her partner may regret his mistakes one day, it will be too late. She has moved on to a better life without him. The song is a powerful statement about the importance of self-love and the courage it takes to leave a toxic relationship behind.
Line by Line Meaning
That big eight wheeler rollin' down the track
The train leaving symbolizes that I am leaving, and my true love will not be coming back.
Means your true lovin' mama ain't comin' back
My partner will not be returning due to my decision to leave.
Cause I'm movin' on, I'll soon be gone
I am taking control of my own life and leaving this relationship behind.
You were flyin' too high for my little sky
My partner had larger aspirations and dreams that did not align with my own, and this distance between us has caused me to leave.
So I'm movin' on
Therefore, I am choosing to move on and seek a different path for myself.
That big loud whistle as it blew and blew
The train whistle is a symbol of a new journey and a new beginning.
Said hello to the south land we're comin' to you
I am starting a new chapter in my life in the southern part of the country.
And we're movin' on, oh hear my song
I am ready to start anew and my actions are a testament to my resolve.
You had the laugh on me so I've set you free
My former partner did not take our relationship seriously or treat me with respect, so I am ending things on my own terms.
And I'm movin' on
Again, I am taking control of my life and moving on to a different path.
I told you baby from time to time
I had tried to express my concerns with the relationship, but they were not properly heard or addressed.
But you just wouldn't listen or pay me no mind
My partner was not attentive to my concerns, which has led me to leave the relationship.
Now I'm movin' on, I'm rollin' on
My new journey is taking shape and I am excited for the future.
You have broken your vow and it's all over now
My partner broke promises and did not hold up their end of the relationship, resulting in its end.
And I'm movin' on
Once again, I am choosing to move on and seek a fresh start for myself.
But someday baby when you've had your play
Maybe in the future, my partner will realize what they have lost and try to come back to me.
You're gonna want your momma but your momma will say
Even if my partner tries to return, it will be too late and I will have moved on.
Keep movin' on, you stayed away too long
I have already moved on and there is no going back. My former partner took too long to recognize our issues, and the damage has already been done.
Oh I'm through with you too bad you're blue
I am done with the relationship and have no desire to reconcile, even if my ex-partner is regretful or upset.
And I'm movin' on
One last time, I am officially moving on with my new journey and leaving the past behind.
Movin' on
I am moving on to a brighter and better future without my past baggage.
I'll soon be gone
I am ready to start a new chapter in my life, and my journey is just beginning.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Cloud9, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Snow
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Marion Heyenga
Amazing 👍👍👍🎶🎶🎶💕💕💕
Robert Purdy
Wonderful version!! Love the flavor she adds to this song!
Iam Zeus
How can anyone not love this. Outstanding!!
Pamela Drake
I love love LOVE the rootsy authenticity this woman has now. She's done the commercial mixes, sold the catchy records, evolved into I-can-do-anything maturity and reached for her roots, with richly satisfying results. Daddy's proud, Rosanne.
michelle G
2021 still one of my faves💖
Roger McNeece
What a great arrangement! I usually don't like variations of classics but This is awesome!
Axel Biehl
Slowing down the Hank Snow classic to give it a bluesy, sensuous feel was sheer brilliance. In fact, the whole album is great.
Tango Bango
Just saw Miss Cash live & she sang this one...simply fabulous lady!
Katie Rear
This is amazing! I love rose ann cash and I love what she did with this song!
Cody M
"The List" was Rosanne Cash's thirteenth studio album, and her only album for Manhattan Records, it was released on October 6, 2009. At the age of 18, Rosanne's father Johnny Cash gave her a list of 100 country songs to expand her knowledge of country music. The album featured guest performances; such as Elvis Costello and Rufus Wainwright. The album produced two singles; a cover of Don Gibson's 1961 hit "Sea of Heartbreak", and a cover of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On".