The brothers adopted the name Louvin Brothers in the 1940s as they began their career in gospel music. Their first foray into secular music was the minor hit "The Get Acquainted Waltz", recorded with Chet Atkins. Other hits included "Cash on the Barrelhead" and "When I Stop Dreaming". They joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1955 and stayed there until breaking up in 1963.
Their songs were heavily influenced by their Baptist faith and warned against sin. Ira Louvin was notorious for his drinking, womanizing, and short temper. He was married four times; his third wife Faye shot him four times in the chest and twice in the hand after he allegedly beat her. Although seriously injured, he survived. When performing and drinking, Ira would sometimes become angry enough on stage to smash his mandolin; otherwise his style was heavily influenced by Bill Monroe.
As of 1963, Charlie was making enough money that he was able to start a solo career, and Ira also went on his own.
Ira died on June 20, 1965, at the age of 41. He and his fourth wife, Anne Young, were on the way home from a performance in Kansas City when they came to a section of construction on Highway 70 outside of Williamsburg, Missouri where traffic had been reduced down to one lane. A drunken driver struck their car head-on, and both Ira and Anne were killed instantaneously.[4] At the time, a warrant for Ira's arrest had been issued on a DUI charge.
Country-rock band The Byrds recorded the Louvin-penned "The Christian Life" for their 1968 release Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
In 2001, the Louvin brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. The tribute CD Livin', Lovin', Losin': Songs of the Louvin Brothers, produced by Carl Jackson and Kathy Louvin and released in 2003, won the 2004 Grammy Award for Best Country Album.
Although the brothers are still remembered today for their musical talent, they are also remembered for the unusual cover used for their 1959 album, Satan Is Real. Designed by Ira Louvin, the cover features the brothers standing in a rock quarry in front of a 12-foot-tall (3.7 m) plywood rendition of the Devil as several hidden tires soaked in kerosene burn behind them as fire and brimstone. While some reviewers count this as being one of the "greatest iconic album covers of all time", the cover can also be found today on several Web sites celebrating unusual or bizarre album covers. The cover has also become an Internet meme on a number of Web sites such as Fark.com, where it has been posted in discussion threads as an example of religious views of the era.
The opening bars of the album's title track "Satan is Real" can be heard at the beginning of Hank Williams III's "Medley: Straight to Hell / Satan is Real", on his Straight to Hell album of 2006. It is also excerpted in Will Ferrell's 2009 one-man Broadway show, You're Welcome America. A Final Night With George W Bush.
A Tiny Broken Heart
The Louvin Brothers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
In his little play house down by the gate
He stopped to watch a truck that was parking next door
At the home of his tiny playmate
Then he saw his Daddy watching too
As the man swiftly walked to the cottage door
He knew they were strangers that came from the town
Men he had never seen before
They soon were at their work and he heard his Daddy say
Our neighbors are moving today
Oh no he cried dear God don't let it be
They can't take my sweetheart away
I know Dad that you don't understand
How a heart so young could conceive a plan
I'm only seven now but it's just like you said
Daddy someday I'll be a man
The man who owns the farm where your playmate now lives
He told me it have to be this way
For winter time has come and their work is all done
So now they are moving away
Let us buy the farm so they can stay
Give them all my toys that dear Santy gave
And give him the pennies in my little piggy bank
Pennies that my darling helped me save
The Louvin Brothers' song, "A Tiny Broken Heart," narrates the story of a young boy who is about to lose his friend and playmate due to a move. The song's lyrics paint a vivid picture of childhood innocence and the impact of change in a young child's life. The young boy is depicted as a sweet and caring person who understands that he is powerless in this situation, yet he still wants to help his friend any way he can. He offers his toys and the pennies he's saved up to his friend as a gesture of goodwill.
The song offers up a sobering reminder of how much children can be affected by change, even the small changes that may seem insignificant to adults. It's a testament to how important stability and familiarity are to children, and how much support they need during times of transition. The lyrics also highlight the resilience of children, as the young boy acknowledges that he'll grow up to be a man someday and can eventually take on adult responsibilities.
Line by Line Meaning
He was just a little farm lad so busy at play
The boy was young and preoccupied with his games.
In his little play house down by the gate
He played in a small house near his house's entrance.
He stopped to watch a truck that was parking next door
He noticed that a vehicle stopped closer to his neighbour's home.
At the home of his tiny playmate
He recognized the location where his small friend lived.
Then he saw his Daddy watching too
The boy realized that his father was also observing the situation.
As the man swiftly walked to the cottage door
The father and the boy noticed the stranger heading towards the neighbour's home.
He knew they were strangers that came from the town
The boy recognized that the visitors were unfamiliar.
They soon were at their work and he heard his Daddy say
The father and the boy overheard the strangers starting to work while discussing the situation.
Our neighbors are moving today
The father informed his son that the neighbours were leaving that day.
Oh no he cried dear God don't let it be
The boy prayed to avoid the situation from happening.
They can't take my sweetheart away
The boy referred to his friend as his sweetheart and didn't want her to leave.
I know Dad that you don't understand
The boy acknowledged his father's confusion about the situation.
How a heart so young could conceive a plan
The boy felt that his age might be a concern, but he had already thought of a solution.
I'm only seven now but it's just like you said
The boy mentioned his current age and suggested that he could be more mature soon.
Daddy someday I'll be a man
The boy promised to become more responsible and capable as he grows older.
The man who owns the farm where your playmate now lives
The father explained the situation and identified the neighbour's landowner.
He told me it have to be this way
The man who owns the farm insisted that the neighbours had to leave.
For winter time has come and their work is all done
The neighbour had finished their work and had to go before winter.
So now they are moving away
The father reiterated that the neighbours were leaving the area.
Let us buy the farm so they can stay
The boy suggested purchasing the neighbour's land to let them live there.
Give them all my toys that dear Santy gave
The boy volunteered to offer all his toys to his friend to make her stay.
And give him the pennies in my little piggy bank
The boy decided to donate all his savings to his friend's family to ensure they would stay.
Pennies that my darling helped me save
The boy valued his friend's contribution and wanted her to know that she was appreciated.
Contributed by Landon R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Caleb Bunch
He was just a little farm lad so busy at play
In his little play house down by the gate
He stopped to watch a truck that was parking next door
At the home of his tiny playmate
Then he saw his Daddy watching too
As the man swiftly walked to the cottage door
He knew they were strangers that come from the town
Men he had never seen before
They soon were at their work and he heard his Daddy say
Our neighbors are moving today
Oh no he cried dear God don't let it be
They can't take my sweetheart away
I know Dad that you don't understand
How a heart so young can conceive a plan
I'm only seven now but it's just like you said
Dad someday I'll be a man
The man who runs the farm where your playmate now lives
He told me it'd have to be this way
For winter time has come and their work is all done
So now they are moving away
Let us buy the farm so they can stay
Give them all my toys that dear Santa gave
And give him the pennies in my little bank
Pennies that my darling helped me save
James Andersom
What a great song.You do not hear good songs like this anymore
Cecil Peterson
Great song. Great artists. No harmony beats the Louvins.........
MSASteeler
wish they still made music like this today!
halmahouse
Vintage Louvin Brothers-wonderful thoughtfull words, with a sad ending. got to see them in person in 1963 brfore Ira got killed. Love these guys!
Sue Nix
That was so sweet.I loved the Louvins,but never heard this one before.thanks
Brent Parson
OMG, this is such excellent music!...Bill Monroe once said, there were only 2 tenor men......Ira and himself.
betty stephenson
beautiful love it
Caleb Bunch
He was just a little farm lad so busy at play
In his little play house down by the gate
He stopped to watch a truck that was parking next door
At the home of his tiny playmate
Then he saw his Daddy watching too
As the man swiftly walked to the cottage door
He knew they were strangers that come from the town
Men he had never seen before
They soon were at their work and he heard his Daddy say
Our neighbors are moving today
Oh no he cried dear God don't let it be
They can't take my sweetheart away
I know Dad that you don't understand
How a heart so young can conceive a plan
I'm only seven now but it's just like you said
Dad someday I'll be a man
The man who runs the farm where your playmate now lives
He told me it'd have to be this way
For winter time has come and their work is all done
So now they are moving away
Let us buy the farm so they can stay
Give them all my toys that dear Santa gave
And give him the pennies in my little bank
Pennies that my darling helped me save
packingten
I was fortunate enough to get to spend an entire day with Charlie Louvin He told me this was a true story his little girl friend moved away when He was very young,He wrote this about it. tragic Songs of Life was Cut in 1955 according to Charlie I thought it was later but I guess the man should know:).Beautiful guitar by Chet Atkins,I thought it was Paul Yandell but Charlei told me it was Chet:)
Pachapuma1
Sometimes, when you remember and want something enough, it will come. I heard this recording on the radio 62 years ago when I was just 13. It touched me as a kid, and it still touches me as an old man. I thought I'd never find it; all I could remember was "our neighbors are moving today" and how the little boy would someday be a man. After all those years, I just found it today thanks to whomever uploaded this album. My heartfelt thanks. Now it's mine until the end.