Last Cowboy Song Lyrics
Is this the Best Cowboy Song ever?
The Last Cowboy Song Lyrics was written by Ron Peterson (co-written with Ed Bruce) and included the track on "Ed Bruce" (MCA
Records, 1980); the track, which featured guest vocals from Willie
Nelson, reached No.12 on the Billboard country music singles chart in
1980.
The track was also included on the "Highwayman" album (Columbia Records, 1985).
Is this the Best Cowboy Song ever? Maybe, maybe not, but it is an unforgettable sad song and tells a real cowboy story.
The
lyrics, I believe, are some of the very best written about the early American West, the old Chisholm trail, and the cowboy's sad dreams of tomorrow surrounded by fences. The song discusses the
disappearance of the American Old West and the values associated with
it, and if ever lost will make us much the poorer because of it.
Let's hope the words in this song will always be remembered by someone who cares.
When you watch the video, please read the Last Cowboy Song lyrics and you will see why I believe Ron Peterson and Ed Bruce were at their best when they penned this wonderful old cowboy song.
Ron Peterson is a prolific country music songwriter and, in the 1970s, he was President, twice, of The Nashville Songwriters Association.
The Last Cowboy Song Lyrics
Songwriters: Ron Peterson, Ed Bruce
Recorded in 1984 by the Highwaymen
Released 1985
This is the last cowboy song
The end of a hundred year waltz
The voices sound sad as they're singin' along
Another piece of America's lost
(Waylon Jennings)
He rides the feed lots, clerks in the markets
On weekends sellin' tobacco and beer
And his dreams of tomorrow, surrounded by fences
But he'll dream tonight of when fences weren't here
(Kris Kristoferson)
He blazed the trail with Lewis and Clark
And eyeball to eyeball, old Wyatt backed down
He stood shoulder to shoulder with Travis in Texas
And rode with the 7th when Custer went down
This is the last cowboy song
The end of a hundred year waltz
The voices sound sad as they're singin' along
Another piece of America's lost
(Willie Nelson)
Remmington showed us how he looked on canvas
And Louis L'Amour has told us his tale
Me and Johnny and Waylon and Kris sing about him
And wish to God we could have ridden his trail
(Johnny Cash Verse Spoken Over Chorus)
The old Chisholm trail is covered in concrete now
They truck it to market in fifty foot rigs
They roll by his markings and don't even notice
Like living and dying was all he ever did
This is the last cowboy song
The end of a hundred year waltz
The voices sound sad as they're singin' along
Another piece of America's lost
This is the last cowboy song
Last Cowboy Song Lyrics - Do you know Remington and Louis L'Amour?
As the lyrics are written, Remington and Louis L'Amour immortalized the image of the American cowboy in their works.
I
can attest to both their accomplishments as I have owned some Remington
paintings (small reproductions) and still have my Louis L'Amour
simulated leather bound collection purchased many years ago while living
in Texas.
The Last Cowboy Song has such real meaning. It tells a story, the tale of the American cowboy that has all but vanished from the scene.
A rough and dangerous calling,
the Cowboy's career (and possibly his life) could end in a number of
ways. But today's ranchers still need Cowboys to work their cattle, even
though herds no longer walk to market.
Last Cowboy Song Lyrics.
Ranch Worker Wanted.
Many years ago, while living near Austin, Texas I noticed an ad in a
local magazine titled, "Ranch Worker Wanted." I was simply amazed at the
requirements and skill needed to be a real working Cowboy.
For
reasons I cannot explain, I kept a copy of that ad and decided to share
with you all the talents needed to be a real Cowboy.
If by some chance
you decide you would like to be a real Cowboy I would suggest you read
this ad several times before allowing yourself to drift off into some
Cowboy campfire and happy trails dream land.
One more piece of Cowboy excitement. Cowboy Sam Garner made a cattle drive in 1871 and later wrote;
"Snow fell so deep that it covered the grass and our cattle and horses froze to death right in camp."
Cowboys are larger than life, confident and independent. No wonder they have been called Knights of the Range. Still want to be a Cowboy? Read on....
- Nature of Job: Worker's primary responsibility will be feeding, grazing and care of cattle and other livestock, as needed, and will be on call 24 hours/day, 7 days/week, Sundays & holidays included.
- Worker will also perform related ranch work such as: gather livestock; assist load & unload feed; scatter bulls; check, repair, rebuild or maintain fences, water facilities and other ranch improvements; sort & ship livestock; assist with calving, castrating, branding, ear marking, vaccinating, administering medications, examining animals for diseases, parasites & injuries;
- Check for and destroy noxious plant; and cut, transport, stack and burn prickly pear as forage for cattle.
- Worker may also clean barns, tend horses or mules and chop & control brush.
- Must be able to ride a horse in a safe manner and work livestock from horseback. Must be willing and able to live on ranch and to perform work with minimal supervision, alone or in small groups of other workers. Must be willing and able to work in all types of weather and must at all times be on call when not working. Must have basic working ability with fence tools, rope, tack and other common ranch implements.
- Must be able to find and maintain bearings to assigned work areas on the ranch. Must be reliable.
- Salary And Benefits: Gross: $910 per month. Employer provides free housing, groceries, utilities, tools, supplies, equipment and worker's compensation insurance coverage. Generally, worker will prepare own meals. Reasonable transportation and meal expenses to the work site will be reimbursed....
- From classified ad section of Austin American-Statesman, June 6, 1994.
One additional fact about Ed Bruce. He also wrote "Mamma, Don't Let your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" just five years previous to this song.
Sadly, Ed Bruce died on January 8, 2021. He was 81.
I love the Cowboy way and Campfire songs. Please visit my special section just for the Cowboy and his music.
Return to Highwaymen Main.
Return to Home Page
Recent Articles
-
Ricky Nelson Cover | "I Will follow You" Vinyl Record Memories.
The Ricky Nelson cover of the song, "I Will Follow You," was originally recorded in 1961 as an instrumental. In 1963 Nelson recorded "I Will Follow You" for his first Decca Album and sang the cover on…
-
Beach Boys Vinyl Record Memories | Albums, History and Collectibles
The Beach Boys vinyl record memories returns to 1961 where it all started, singing about California girls, surfing, custom cars and hot rods. Their hit song and album about The Little Deuce Coupe woul…
Storms Never Last
A Love Story
Storms Never Last, a song about passing through the hardships of marriage, and knowing their love for one another will endure. A final duet with Jessi Colter and husband, Waylon Jennings. Read more...
FTC Disclosure: If you make a purchase via a link on this site, I may receive a small commission on the transaction - at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
Here are 36 highlights from three albums by Country's greatest supergroup!
Visit Amazon's Highwaymen store.
See all albums in one location.
"Baby's Gone"
It's been more than fifty years since I heard this wonderful old tune.
A song I heard only a few times back in 1964, but from the first note of this memory-filled song, I was swimming in a sea of nostalgia. Read more ...
You Belong To Me
Patsy Cline songs are the voice of the average woman...the waitress at the diner, the counter girl at the all-night truck stop, or even the stay-at-home mom who stops to wonder what happened to all her dreams. Patsy Cline was their voice. Read more...
"That's The Way Love Goes"
Merle performs his classic #1 song live with Jewel. It is one of the better versions of the song ever recorded as a duet. Simply put...Jewel is a Diamond and Merle is pure Gold. Read more.
From Rodeo Star to Music Star, Moe Bandy Shines with Talent.
While the tears on my make-up melts my painted smile into a frown.
The crowd thinks I'm a dandy I'm Bandy the rodeo clown...Read more.
Amarillo By Morning.
Amarillo By Morning is a Rodeo ballad first recorded in 1973, but the George Strait version which came out ten years later is the one everyone knows and turned Strait into an overnight star. The whining fiddle arrangement will stay with you long after the song ends. Read more...
A Top Ten Country Album with a near perfect cover of the song, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." A truly unique cover of this Hank Williams standard. Read more...
Visit the Johnny Tillotson Amazon store.
See all 19 albums in one location.
Abilene, My Abilene...
Prettiest town I've ever seen,
Women there don't treat you mean.
The song seems to conjure up images of a romantic, almost mythic, corner of the American West in which cowboys still loom large on the landscape and long, desolate highways stretch uninterrupted into the western sunset. Read more...
Cowboy Campfire Songs.
Polish up your spurs, Saddle up ole paint and get ready to relive your childhood! Come with me and let's relive those bygone days with these cowboy campfire songs and fond memories of your favorite silver screen cowboys. Read more...
I Want to Be A Cowboy's Sweetheart.
Patsy Montana's cowboy song lyrics paints a different picture of a woman who wants to rope and ride and sleep out under the stars, just like her Cowboy Sweetheart. Suzy Bogguss does the song proud. Read More...
