Vern Gosdin – Chiseled In Stone

Introduction:

Chiseled in Stone, released in 1988, is a country ballad by American country music artist Vern Gosdin. The song, co-written by Gosdin and Max D. Barnes, became the title track for Gosdin’s 1988 album of the same name. While not reaching the chart-topping heights of some of his other hits, “Chiseled in Stone” still managed to resonate with audiences, peaking at number six on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart. The song’s emotional weight and poignant lyrics also earned it the prestigious Country Music Association’s Song of the Year award in 1989.

A Story of Marital Strife and Hard-Earned Lessons

“Chiseled in Stone” paints a vivid picture of a struggling relationship on the brink of collapse. The song opens with the narrator and his partner engaged in a heated argument, with both retreating to separate spaces to vent their frustrations. The narrator, filled with regret, drowns his sorrows at a bar. It’s there that he encounters a wise old man who offers him a powerful perspective. The old man shares his own story of loneliness and loss, urging the narrator to appreciate the love he still has in his life.

A Song of Redemption and Second Chances

The encounter with the old man serves as a wake-up call for the narrator. He realizes the potential for permanent loss if he doesn’t mend the rift with his partner. Armed with newfound understanding and a bouquet of flowers, the narrator seeks forgiveness and reconciliation.

Vern Gosdin: A Country Music Powerhouse

“Chiseled in Stone” is a prime example of Vern Gosdin’s talent for storytelling through song. Often referred to as “The Voice” due to his rich baritone, Gosdin was a prolific country music artist with a long and successful career. Throughout the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, Gosdin racked up an impressive 19 top-10 solo hits on the country music charts, including three number-one singles: “I Can Tell By the Way You Dance (You’re Gonna Love Me Tonight)”, “Set ‘Em Up Joe”, and “I’m Still Crazy”. “Chiseled in Stone” stands out not only for its chart success and industry recognition, but for its relatable portrayal of love, loss, and the importance of cherishing what we have.

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Lyrics:

“Chiseled In Stone”

You ran cryin’ to the bedroom
I ran off to the bar
Another piece of heaven gone to hell
The words we spoke in anger
Just tore my world apart
And I sat there feeling sorry for myself

Then that old man sat down beside me
And looked me in the eye
And said “Son, I know what you’re going through
You ought to get down on your knees
And thank your lucky stars that you got someone to go home to”

You don’t know about lonely
Or how long nights can be
Till you lived through the story
That’s still livin’ in me
And you don’t know about sadness
Till you faced life alone
You don’t know about lonely
Till it’s chiseled in stone

So I brought these pretty flowers
Hoping you would understand
Sometimes a man is such a fool
Those golden words of wisdom
From the heart of that old man
Showed me I ain’t nothing without you

You don’t know about lonely
Or how long nights can be
Till you lived through the story
That old man just told me
And you don’t know about sadness
Till you faced life alone
You don’t know about lonely
Till it’s chiseled in stone
You don’t know about lonely
Till it’s chiseled in stone