This series will include as many of my all-time
favorite (ATF) tunes as I can get my grubby little hands on (so to speak). Now, each one included in each edition will
have some connection with the other—albeit only as a figment of my imagination,
but they will not be numbered. For I
just cannot bring myself to rate some higher than others. So, this will not be a countdown, but if you
are enjoying them as much as I do, it won’t matter. Besides, with no countdown, this could go on
forever and ever! Oh, and despite the
fact that there is absolutely no way your musical tastes could be as exquisite
as mine, I welcome any suggestions you might dare to make. For I am, after all, quite magnanimous by
nature.
Link: [Waylon Jennings]
Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies
Grow Up To Be
Cowboys
Waylon Jennings
Cowboys ain't easy to love
And they're harder to hold
They'd rather give you a song
Than diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles
And old faded Levis
And each night begins a new day
If you don't understand him
And he don't die young
He'll probably just ride away
Mamas don't let your babies
Grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars
Or drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors
And lawyers
And such
Mamas don't let your babies
Grow up to be cowboys
‘Cause they'll never stay home
And they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smoky old pool rooms
And clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies
And children
And girls of the night
Them that don't know him
Won't like him
And them that do
Sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong
He's just different
But his pride won't let him
Do things to make you think he's right
Mamas don't let your babies
Grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars
Or drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors
And lawyers
And such
Mamas don't let your babies
Grow up to be cowboys
‘Cause they'll never stay home
And they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Link: [Willie Nelson]
My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys
Willie Nelson
I grew up a-dreamin'
Of bein' a cowboy
and Lovin' the cowboy ways
Pursuin' the life
Of my high-ridin' heroes
I burned up my childhood days
I learned of all the rules
Of the modern-day drifter
Don't you hold on to nothin' too long
Just take what you need from the ladies
Then leave them
With the words of a sad country song
My heroes have always been cowboys
And they still are
It seems
Sadly in search of
And one step in back of
Themselves
And their slow-movin' dreams
Cowboys are special
With their own brand of misery
From being alone too long
You could die from the cold
In the arms of a nightmare
Knowin' well that your best days are gone
Pickin' up hookers
Instead of my pen
I let the words of my youth fade away
Old worn-out saddles
And old worn-out memories
But no one and no place to stay
My heroes have always been cowboys
And they still are
It seems
Sadly in search of
And one step in back of
Themselves
And their slow-movin' dreams
Sadly in search of
And one step in back of
Themselves
And their slow-movin’ dreams
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I really enjoy your ATF series. Must confess, I'm not a huge fan of C&W. Never listened to Wayling Jennings, but enjoyed the wry humour of the lyrics. Willie Nelson is a bit of a star in my view - but I'm sorry, Jerry, I'm gonna let you down by saying I think he's done better than this. I see the connection between the two, of course.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, my dear Mike!!! Well, it is a good thing for your sake that we have "evolved" from the practices of the good olde days. For you would surely find yourself in the Tower of London after after refusing to pay homage to two of the highest lords of C&W music! (LOL?)
DeleteOf these two I prefer Willie Nelson.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, my dear Stephen!!! I have a hard time thinking of either one being apart from the other on either song. By the way, you should have heard me trying to play and sing :My Heroes..." way back when. For even my mother had to consider my rendition(s) as being quite poignant (and not in a good way, neither). Sigh.
DeleteI never listened to a whole lot of Waylon Jennings but I know that song
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, my dear Ann!!! Yes, it has been around...just about everywhere.
DeleteNice, thank you for this treat
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFkcAH-m9W0
Thanks for stopping by, my dear Martin!!! Oh yes, Highwayman will is on the list to be included in this series later on, as is the duet Willie did with Ray Charles, Seven Spanish Angels.
DeleteDoes country music only have one tune...?
ReplyDeleteThaks for stopping by, my dear Adullamite!!! No.
Delete