The Sons of the Pioneers did several songs for the John Ford movies Wagon Master (in 1949) and Rio Grande in (1950).
The six members who made the Sons of the Pioneers famous in the late 1930s with their close-harmonied western style music were elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980. In 1995, they were inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
In 1977, the Smithsonian designated the Sons of the Pioneers as "national treasures". Through many changes to the line-up, the Sons of the Pioneers have continued to perform.
High Noon
Sons Of The Pioneers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On this, our weddin' day
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Wait, wait along
I do not know what fate awaits me
I only know I must be brave
And I must face a man who hates me
Or lie a coward in my grave
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along
Nearin' high noon
He made a vow while in state prison
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh
What will I do if you leave me?
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
You made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
Now that I need you by my side
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Wait along, wait along
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along)
The lyrics to Sons of the Pioneers' "High Noon," tell the story of a newlywed man facing a daunting challenge that could result in the loss of his life. The chorus emphasizes the urgency of the man's plea to his bride not to abandon him on their wedding day when he will be confronted with a dangerous adversary. It is a poignant expression of the fear, anxiety, and confusion that can arise when confronted with a potentially life-ending challenge. The man grapples with the decision to stand and fight, potentially sacrificing his own life, or to run and live with the label of being a coward. He laments the difficult choice between love and duty and the possibility of losing his beloved.
The lyrics touch on classic themes of honor, courage, and loyalty while still reflecting the emotional vulnerability of the man. The song is a testament to the power of storytelling through music and has become a quintessential Western song. While the lyrics can be interpreted in many ways, it ultimately speaks to the universal experience of facing challenging situations and having the support of loved ones to face them.
Line by Line Meaning
Do not forsake me, oh my darlin'
Please do not abandon me, oh my beloved
On this, our weddin' day
Especially because it's our wedding day
Wait, wait along
Please wait for me, without ever losing hope
I do not know what fate awaits me
I have no idea what destiny has in store for me
I only know I must be brave
I only have faith that I must remain courageous
And I must face a man who hates me
I must confront a man who despises me
Or lie a coward, a craven coward
Or retreat as a coward, a spineless coward
Or lie a coward in my grave
Or die with the shame of cowardice
Oh, to be torn 'twixt love and duty
Oh, to be conflicted between love and responsibility
S'posin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
What I happen to lose my beloved?
Look at that big hand move along
The clock's ticking is a reminder of the danger approaching
Nearin' high noon
It's almost high noon, the time we agreed to meet
He made a vow while in state prison
He threatened me with a promise while in jail
Vowed it would be my life or his'n
He swore that either he or I would be killed
I'm not afraid of death but oh
I do not fear dying, but oh...
What will I do if you leave me?
But what would I do without you by my side?
You made that promise as a bride
You offered that vow when we got married
Although you're grievin', don't think of leavin'
I know you are sad, but please do not abandon me
Now that I need you by my side
Especially because I need you next to me now
Wait along, (wait along) wait along
Please, wait for me
Wait along, wait along
Keep waiting patiently
(Wait along, wait along, wait along, wait along
Keep on waiting...
Lyrics © Kanjian Music, Universal Music Publishing Group, Royalty Network, Songtrust Ave, Shapiro Bernstein & Co Inc, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Dimitri Tiomkin, Ned Washington
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Bill Akins
on The Devil's Great Grandson
"The Devil's Great Grandson" (Lyrics)
Recorded by Roy Rogers & The Son's Of The Pioneers
(Lyrics submitted by Bill Akins)
(The Devil's Great Grandson performed by the Sons Of The Pioneers and written by Bob Nolan. The tune was recorded in Los Angeles on December 14, 1937 and the group at that time was Roy Rogers, Bob Nolan, Lloyd Perryman and the Farr brothers.)
Old Skyball Paint was the devil's saint
His eyes were a fiery red
Good men have tried this horse to ride
And all of them are dead
Now I won't brag but I rode this nag
Till his blood began to boil
Then I hit the ground and ate three pound
Of good old western soil
Singin' Hi-ho lad don't you make me mad
I'm the devil's great grandson
And I'm doin' my best to tame the west
With my great big forty-four gun
(Light group harmony yodel)
I swore by heck
I'd break his neck for the jolt he gave my pride
I threw my noose on that old cayuse and once more took a ride
He turned around and soon
I found his tail where his head should be
So says says I Perhaps he's shy or he just don't care for me
Singin' Hi-ho lad don't you make me mad
I'm the devil's great grandson
And I'm doin' my best to tame the west
With my great big forty-four gun
(Only Roy Rogers STRONG yodeling, group harmony humming and ahhing along)
In town you see just to have a spree when
I meets old Sheriff Jim
With fistic fun and my big six-gun
I buys the town from him
For a whoop and a holler and a counterfeit dollar
Then I ask for a bill of sale
But my face turned red when the contract said just thirty days in jail
Singin' Hi-ho lad don't you make me mad
I'm the devil's great grandson
And I'm doin' my best to tame the west
With my great big forty-four gun
(Light group harmony yodel again)
Where the greasewood bats wear
Stetson hats and the bad men all run free
Where they sold the jail at a bargain sale
That's the land for me
Where the desert ants wear buckskin pants and help me rule the land
With the ants and the bats and my two gats
I'll rule with an iron hand
Singin' Hi-ho lad don't you make me mad
I'm the devil's great grandson
And I'm doin' my best to tame the west
With my great big forty-four gun
(Only Roy Rogers STRONG yodeling, group harmony humming and ahhing along)