THE ETERNAL FLAME OF A TRAGIC ROMANCE: Tammy Wynette — “‘Til I Can Make It on My Own”
In the final weeks of her life in early 1998, the “First Lady of Country Music” reportedly made a heartbreaking confession to her daughter: George Jones remained the great love of her life, despite the years of public turmoil and their 1975 divorce. Their union was the stuff of Nashville legend—a volatile mix of soaring harmonies and devastating heartbreak that defined an era. This particular song, co-written by Tammy in 1976 just after their split, served as her personal manifesto of resilience. Recorded at Columbia Recording Studios, it captures the raw, trembling strength of a woman trying to navigate a world that no longer included the man she called “The Possum.”
Introduction
There is a haunting, prophetic weight to her performance, especially knowing that the bond between them never truly snapped. It reflects the bittersweet reality that some souls are tethered by a melody that outlasts the marriage license. Hearing that signature “tear” in her voice, one realizes that for Tammy, singing about moving on was often a brave act of survival rather than a finished journey.
As the final swell of the strings recedes, it leaves behind the image of two lonely stars who could never quite align, yet never stopped shining for one another in the dark.
Video
Lyrics
🎵 Let’s sing along with the lyrics! 🎤
In a pawn shop in Chicago
On a sunny summer day
A couple gazes at the
Wedding rings there on display
She smiles and nods her head
As he says Honey that’s for you
It’s not much but it’s the best that I can do
Golden ring with one tiny little stone
Waiting there for someone to take it home
By itself it’s just a cold metalic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring
In a little wedding chapel
Later on that afternoon
An old up right piano
Plays that old familiar tune
Tears roll down her cheeks
And happy thoughts run through her head
As he whispers low with this ring I thee wed
Golden ring with one tiny little stone
Shining ring now at last it’s found a home
By itself it’s just a cold metalic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring
In a small two room apartment
As they fight their final round
He says you won’t admit it
But I know you’re leavin’ town
She says one thing’s for certain
I don’t love you anymore
And throws down the ring
As she walks out the door
Golden ring with one tiny little stone
Cast aside like the love that’s dead and gone
By itself it’s just a cold metalic thing
Only love can make a golden wedding ring
In a pawn shop in Chicago