About The Song
Kenny Rogers, with his smooth baritone and heartfelt lyrics, has been a staple in country music for decades. His songs, often imbued with themes of love, loss, and life’s simple pleasures, have resonated with audiences worldwide. One such song that continues to captivate listeners is “Tomb of the Unknown Love”.
This particular track, while less well-known compared to some of Rogers’ other hits, offers a poignant reflection on love, loss, and the enduring nature of human emotion. The “Tomb of the Unknown Love” is a metaphorical concept that represents a heart broken and buried by the weight of unrequited love. It’s a place where dreams of a love that could have been are laid to rest.
Rogers’ voice, as always, is the perfect vehicle for this melancholic tale. His delivery is both emotive and restrained, allowing the listener to fully immerse themselves in the song’s somber atmosphere. The lyrics, filled with imagery of solitude and longing, paint a vivid picture of a heart aching for a love that has slipped away.
The song’s arrangement is equally evocative, with a subtle blend of traditional country elements and contemporary production techniques. The gentle strumming of an acoustic guitar provides a foundation for Rogers’ vocals, while subtle string arrangements add depth and richness to the overall sound.
“Tomb of the Unknown Love” is a testament to Rogers’ ability to connect with audiences on a deep emotional level. It’s a song that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences with love and loss. Whether you’ve experienced heartbreak firsthand or simply appreciate a well-crafted ballad, this track is sure to leave a lasting impression.
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Lyric
One time I drove to see a girl across the countryOne night as I was driving through to MexicoI had the windows wide openIt was cold and I was cryingAnd I later laid her on the radioThen I stopped that side of TahoeThrough this tiny mining townAt a diner to be filled for the rideAnd in the wind I heard this cryingLike a heart broke cried a tuneI turned my collar up and went inside.Well, I saw this smiling waitressJoshing friendly with these truckersThat give her pats and she gives them shovesI said: Miss watch that awful cryingEverybody laughed and said:It’s the tomb of the unknown loveAnd then they pointed out the window to this stoneAll by myself, beneath the tree, beside the hillAnd on that winter nightI read these words aloneThese words that are haunting me still, it said:He lies a young man struck down in his primeBy the awesome burning power of loveHe couldn’t stand this true love cheatingSo he shot the girl downThey hung him from that tree up ( right ) aboveI know that local folks say it’s the windBut I know it’s crying from the tomb of the unknown love.So I drove on to my destinationI did the job my heart commanded of meAnd when the sheriff sirens came upI did believe and tried to findThey counted ten, I came out at threeSo now I guess tomorrow morningWarden reads some kind of paperHow I’m gonna pay the state for what I’ve doneHey, didn’t they put their shackles on meAnd they’ll take a little walkThey won’t have to drag me ’cause it’s said and doneAnd maybe someday they can put me at this stoneAll by itself, beneath the tree, beside the hillAnd lovers everywhere can come and meet aloneThese words that forgive them up to, and it’ll say:He lies a young man.