Tomb of the Unknown Love
Kenny Rogers
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One time I drove to see a girl across the country One night as I was driving through to Mexico I had the windows wide open It was cold and I was crying And I later laid her on the radio Then I stopped that side of Tahoe Through this tiny mining town At a diner to be filled for the ride And in the wind I heard this crying Like a heart broke cried a tune I turned my collar up and went inside. Well, I saw this smiling waitress Joshing friendly with these truckers That give her pats and she gives them shoves I said: Miss watch that awful crying Everybody laughed and said: It's the tomb of the unknown love And then they pointed out the window to this stone All by myself, beneath the tree, beside the hill And on that winter night I read these words alone These words that are haunting me still, it said: He lies a young man struck down in his prime By the awesome burning power of love He couldn't stand this true love cheating So he shot the girl down They hung him from that tree up ( right ) above I know that local folks say it's the wind But I know it's crying from the tomb of the unknown love. So I drove on to my destination I did the job my heart commanded of me And when the sheriff sirens came up I did believe and tried to find They counted ten, I came out at three So now I guess tomorrow morning Warden reads some kind of paper How I'm gonna pay the state for what I've done Hey, didn't they put their shackles on me And they'll take a little walk They won't have to drag me 'cause it's said and done And maybe someday they can put me at this stone All by itself, beneath the tree, beside the hill And lovers everywhere can come and meet alone These words that forgive them up to, and it'll say: He lies a young man.
The easy, fast & fun way to learn how to sing: 30DaySinger.com
Written by: MICHAEL SMOTHERMAN
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
12 facts about this song
Artist"Tomb of the Unknown Love" is a song performed by Kenny Rogers, a famous American musician known for his extensive contributions to country music.
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Release YearThe song was released in 1986 as part of the album "The Heart of the Matter."
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Chart Achievement"Tomb of the Unknown Love" is an acclaimed song that topped Billboard's Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, making it one of Kenny Roger's Number One hits.
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SongwriterThe song was written by Mike Settle, a notable singer-songwriter who has penned many successful tracks.
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ThemeLyrically, the song depicts a tale of heartbreak, mystery, and unanswered questions through a metaphor of exploring an unknown tomb.
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Album SuccessThe album, "The Heart of the Matter," where the song appeared, peaked at #2 on the country album chart, further cementing Kenny Rogers' popularity in country music.
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Song's PopularityDespite its success on country music charts, "Tomb of the Unknown Love" did not crossover to the pop charts as several previous singles by Rogers had done, but it remained popular in his concerts.
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Last #1 Solo Hit"Tomb of the Unknown Love" was Kenny Rogers' last solo to reach Number One on the country charts.
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VideographyA music video for the song was also produced, further highlighting the poetic, sadness-infused narrative of the song.
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Critical ReceptionThe song received positive reviews from music critics, often cited as an exemplar of Kenny Rogers' storytelling skills and his ability to convey deep emotions.
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Notable PerformancesKenny Rogers often performed "Tomb of the Unknown Love" live during his concerts and television appearances, further boosting its popularity among listeners.
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GenreAs with many of Kenny Rogers' works, "Tomb of the Unknown Love" falls under the country genre, with a melodic focus on guitars and Rogers' distinctive vocal performance.
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Citation
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"Tomb of the Unknown Love Lyrics." Lyrics.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 6 Feb. 2025. <https://www.lyrics.com/lyric/19213120/Kenny+Rogers/Tomb+of+the+Unknown+Love>.
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