Introduction
“Poem For My Little Lady,” a heartfelt ballad by country music legend Kenny Rogers, first appeared on the 1968 album of the same name by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, the group Rogers fronted before his successful solo career. The song’s origins remain a little hazy, but its themes of self-doubt and devotion resonated deeply with audiences.
The lyrics paint a picture of a traveling musician, a “guitar pickin’ drifter,” who recognizes the worth of a kind and innocent young woman (“young and soft and kind”) who loves him. Despite his own restless lifestyle and feelings of inadequacy (“never gave a damn”), he acknowledges she deserves a better life, a stable home, and perhaps even a family (“baby’s mother”). The song’s emotional core lies in this internal conflict – the desire to be with the woman he loves versus the fear of holding her back from a more fulfilling future.
“Poem For My Little Lady” became a breakout hit for Kenny Rogers & The First Edition, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1968. Its success helped launch Rogers’ solo career, establishing him as a singer who could deliver both catchy melodies and emotionally resonant lyrics. The song’s enduring popularity speaks to the universal themes of love, sacrifice, and the complexities of relationships.
So, prepare to be swept away by a gentle melody and lyrics that capture the bittersweet beauty of love and selflessness. As Kenny Rogers croons this “Poem For My Little Lady,” listen closely to the story of a man wrestling with his own demons while cherishing a love pure and true.