One By One
Roy Drusky & Priscilla Mitchell Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
(it was you who lied it was me who paid)
As sure as there's a heaven beyond the sun
We'll pay for our lies one by one
My plans and hopes have tumbled down
My castle of dreams plunged to the ground
(How can you face me after what you've done, you've shattered my dreams one by one)
One by one...
How can you go to sleep at night
Don't know mem'ries make you long for daylight
(You'll pay the price after having your fun, you'll regret each mistake one by one)
One by one...
The lyrics of "One by One" by Roy Drusky and Priscilla Mitchell are about a couple who have broken each vow they made to each other, and they will both have to pay for their lies one by one. The first stanza talks about how both of them are responsible for breaking their vows, but the singer has paid a higher price for the lies told. The second stanza is about the singer's shattered dreams and how difficult it is to face the person who has done it. The refrain, "One by one," is repeated throughout the song, emphasizing the inevitable punishment for their actions.
The second half of the song is sung from the perspective of the person who was lied to. They wonder how the other person can sleep at night, knowing the pain and betrayal they have caused. The singer implies that memories of the past will haunt the other person, and they will have to pay for each mistake they made one by one.
Overall, the song tells a story of two people who have broken their promises to each other and the consequences they will face. The repetition and the slow melody give the song a mournful tone, emphasizing the feeling of regret and hopelessness that comes with broken dreams and broken relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
One by one we've broke each vow we made
As our relationship deteriorated, we failed to uphold the promises we made to each other, but it was you who betrayed me and I suffered the consequences.
(it was you who lied it was me who paid)
You were the one who told lies, and it was me who suffered the consequences.
As sure as there's a heaven beyond the sun
Just as we can be certain that heaven exists beyond the sun, we can be sure that our deceitful actions will have consequences.
We'll pay for our lies one by one
Our lies will catch up to us, and we will suffer the consequences for each one separately.
My plans and hopes have tumbled down
My dreams and aspirations for our relationship have come crashing down.
My castle of dreams plunged to the ground
The foundation of our relationships was destroyed, just like a castle whose foundation has been undermined.
(How can you face me after what you've done, you've shattered my dreams one by one)
It's difficult to understand how you can continue to interact with me after destroying all the dreams I had for our relationship.
One by one...
Each consequence of our actions will come one after the other, and we will have to face them separately.
How can you go to sleep at night
Knowing the pain and suffering you've caused, how can you find peace in your conscience?
Don't know mem'ries make you long for daylight
I believe your memories of our relationship will haunt you at night, causing you to long for the daylight to escape them.
(You'll pay the price after having your fun, you'll regret each mistake one by one)
You might feel like you're having fun with your deceit, but eventually, all the consequences will catch up to you, and you'll be full of remorse for every mistake you made.
One by one...
Just as the consequences will come one by one, so will your regrets follow the same path.
Lyrics © HAL LEONARD CORPORATION
Written by: BENJAMIN I BEN KUIJTEN, MARINUS J A C VERKUYLEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@miltonmoore5294
There is some
reason why country music
is responsible for
producing the
greatest number of great male/female duets of
any genre, I just
don't have the
answer. But it
is really noticeable. This
one is BEYOND
beautiful; perfect
in all respects.
I feel sorry for
people who either
don't know of or
don't care for this
kind of music.
@miltonmoore5294
I have never heard
a country diva whose
voice impressed me
more than that of Priscilla Mitchell. What a crying shame
that the recording industry did not exploit it to mutual
advantage, and to the
benefit of the public.
There are no winners here. But at least we
have a few recordings to remember her by.
@barbarawilkes5037
Great rendition of a great song! One of the most "overlooked" duets in country music. Both have wonderful voices. RIP to both, each originally from Atlanta, Ga area, as was her husband, the late Jerry Reed, great guitarist, singer, comedian, actor.
@miltonmoore5294
There is some
reason why country music
is responsible for
producing the
greatest number of great male/female duets of
any genre, I just
don't have the
answer. But it
is really noticeable. This
one is BEYOND
beautiful; perfect
in all respects.
I feel sorry for
people who either
don't know of or
don't care for this
kind of music.
@miltonmoore5294
PURE GOLD! Never a greater
country duet partnership than
these two; a match made in heaven!
"One by one" I'm going to get people to listen
to this great song,
and leave nice comments, IF IT KILLS ME! First two country music lovers I'm gonna hit on are Ruth Boykin and Graham Bull!😆😄
@miltonmoore7687
I have not heard this song in ages and now I find that I am impressed by it whereas I
wasn't earlier. Can you post Roy and Priscilla singing TOGETHER AGAIN, my all-time favorite male/female duet? Keep up the good work.
@ruthboykin9873
I do still love Red Foley and Kitty Wells singing ONE by ONE , grew up with that one, my mother had the 45 and played it often. Went to AlanPaladin channel to listen again, I still love it as much as this one, for the memories for sure!
@miltonmoore5294
Will check this
one out. Thanks!
@ruthboykin9873
This has been a favorite for me by many people, but I have to say Priscilla Mitchell's voice, along with Roy Drusky's wins my heart! You can almost feel the pain.Love it! Thank you, Pat!
@miltonmoore5294
I have never heard
a country diva whose
voice impressed me
more than that of Priscilla Mitchell. What a crying shame
that the recording industry did not exploit it to mutual
advantage, and to the
benefit of the public.
There are no winners here. But at least we
have a few recordings to remember her by.
@jimmyjackson3653
Priscilla Mitchell and Roy Drusky recorded some of my favorite country songs. I love to listen to this kind of music. The theme of the songs,talent of the singers and musicians is timeless and a treasure to the American Music history of this great nation.
@7550375503
Pure & clean these two !