About the song
“Big Iron,” a classic country ballad by Marty Robbins, has cemented its place in music history with its gripping narrative and memorable melody. Originally released as an album track on “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs” in September 1959, it captivated listeners and later gained even more popularity as a single released in February 1960, with “Saddle Tramp” as its B-side.
The song unfolds a dramatic tale set in the rugged Arizona terrain, focusing on a showdown between an Arizona Ranger and the notorious outlaw, Texas Red. The confrontation takes place in the town of Agua Fria, where the ranger’s skill with his “big iron” gun is put to the ultimate test against Texas Red, who has a notorious reputation for having already taken the lives of 20 men. The song builds tension as the townspeople anticipate the ranger’s demise, only to witness his victorious duel with Texas Red, solidifying his legendary status.
Upon its release, “Big Iron” climbed to number 5 on the Billboard Country chart and reached number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in April 1960. Its success contributed significantly to Marty Robbins’ career and solidified his reputation as a master storyteller in country music.
Decades later, “Big Iron” found new life in popular culture. It gained widespread recognition when featured in the 2010 video game “Fallout: New Vegas” on the in-game radio station, which introduced Robbins’ music to a new generation of listeners. This resurgence sparked a revival of interest in Robbins’ work in the 21st century, demonstrating the enduring appeal of his storytelling and musical style.
Moreover, “Big Iron” transcended its original release to become an Internet phenomenon in the 2010s, evolving into a meme through various remixes and humorous parodies online. Its evocative lyrics, accompanied by Robbins’ distinctive vocals and the song’s Western-themed instrumentation, continue to resonate with audiences worldwide, further solidifying its status as a timeless classic in the country music genre.
Video
Lyrics
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say,
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
The stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
He came riding from the south side, slowly lookin’ all around
“He’s an outlaw loose and runnin'”, came a whisper from each lip
“And he’s here to do some business with a big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip”
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
He was vicious and a killer, though a youth of twenty four
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and nineteen more,
One and nineteen more
Now the stranger started talkin’ made it plain to folks around
Was an Arizonia ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
He was here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
And he said it didn’t matter that he was after Texas Red,
After Texas Red
Wasn’t long before this story was relayed to Texas Red
But the outlaw didn’t worry, men who tried before were dead
Twenty men had tried to take him, twenty men had made a slip,
Twenty one would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip
Now the morning passed so quickly and it was time for them to meet
It was twenty past eleven when they rode out in the street
Folks were watchin’ from their windows,
Every body held their breath,
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death,
About to meet his death
There was twenty feet between them
When they stopped to make their play
And the swiftness of the Ranger still talked about today
Texas Red had not cleared leather when a bullet fairly ripped
And the ranger’s aim was deadly, with the big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip
It was over in a moment and the crowd all gathered ’round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground
Oh, he might have went on livin’ but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip
Big iron, big iron,
Oh he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip,
Big iron on his hip