About the song
Background
“Kentucky Waltz” is a beloved bluegrass standard, and while the exact origins are a little murky, it’s widely attributed to Bill Monroe, the “Father of Bluegrass Music.” There’s some debate on the exact year of composition, but it likely emerged sometime in the 1940s. The song became a staple in Monroe’s repertoire and went on to be covered by numerous bluegrass and country artists. You can even find a live performance by Bill Monroe with Emmylou Harris [YouTube Bill Monroe and Emmylou Harris – Live Kentucky Waltz].
Themes
The “Kentucky Waltz” is a melancholic ballad. The lyrics paint a picture of longing and lost love, a theme that resonates throughout country music. The waltz itself, a slow and elegant dance, adds to the song’s wistful atmosphere.
Lyrics
The lyrics of “Kentucky Waltz” are relatively simple but evocative. The narrator reminisces about a past love, specifically the way they used to dance together under the Kentucky moon.
Video
Lyrics
We were waltzing that night in Kentucky
‘Neath the beautiful harvest moon
And I was the boy who was lucky
But it all ended too soon
As I sit here alone in the moonlight
I can see your smiling face
And I long once more for your embrace
In that beautiful Kentucky waltz