Promised to John
Hank Snow · The Singing Ranger, Vol. 3 [Bear Family (Germany)] [1994]
I'm promised to John, promised to John
Can't you see that I'm promised to John.
I saw her on the square and I fell in love right there
Though I was told she was promised to John
I followed her in a store and I loved her even more
Though I knew she was promised to John.
I'm promised to John promised to John
Don't you know I'm promised to John
And his heart would surely break if I made this mistake
Can't you see that I'm promised to John.
I said, ''Let's take a walk someplace where we can talk.
Yes, I know that you're promised to John.
It won't hurt anyone, we'll just have a little fun
'Cause I know that you're promised to John.''
We walked behind a tree and she gave her lips to me
Even though she was promised to John
And I guess she's with him now, she should be anyhow
'Cause she said she was promised to John.
''I'm promised to John, promised to John.
Don't you know I'm promised to John?
And his heart would surely break if I made this mistake
Can't you see that I'm promised to John?''
''Can't you see I'm promised to John
Don't you know I'm just promised to John?...''
Promised to John
Hank Snow's 'Promised to John' stands as a quintessential example of his mastery in country storytelling and yodeling. Recorded on the album 'The Singing Ranger, Vol. 3', the track exemplifies the emotional depth and vocal range that defined Snow's career during the late 1940s and early 1950s. The song reflects the genre's tradition of narrative ballads, where personal devotion and rural life intersect. Snow's distinctive yodeling adds a unique texture to the melody, elevating the song above a simple love story into a broader commentary on commitment and faith. As part of his extensive discography, this recording showcases his ability to blend traditional country elements with a polished production style that would influence countless subsequent artists in the genre.