About the song
The Highwaymen: A Timeless Tribute to the American Cowboy
If you’re a fan of classic country music, then you’re undoubtedly familiar with the iconic supergroup, The Highwaymen. Comprising country music legends Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, this quartet brought together some of the most distinctive voices in the genre. Their harmonies and storytelling abilities were unmatched, and their music has left an enduring legacy.
One of their most beloved songs is “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys”. This heartfelt ballad, penned by Kristofferson, paints a vivid picture of the rugged and often lonely life of a cowboy. The song’s lyrics explore themes of loss, longing, and the harsh realities of life on the range. It’s a poignant reminder of the sacrifices that cowboys make and the toll that their lifestyle can take on their loved ones.
The live recording of “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” from their 1990 album, American Outlaws, captures the band at the peak of their powers. The performance at Nassau Coliseum is particularly noteworthy, as it showcases the raw emotion and energy that The Highwaymen were known for. The audience’s enthusiastic response to the song is a testament to its enduring popularity.
What makes this song so special? It’s a combination of factors. First, the music itself is beautifully crafted, with a haunting melody and a driving rhythm. Second, the lyrics are both evocative and relatable, speaking to universal themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. And finally, the performances by Cash, Jennings, Nelson, and Kristofferson are simply breathtaking. Their voices blend together seamlessly, creating a rich and textured sound that is both powerful and intimate.
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” is more than just a song; it’s a tribute to a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. The cowboy has long been a symbol of the American West, and this song captures the spirit of the frontier in a way that few others can. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of country music or simply appreciate great songwriting, this is a song that is well worth listening to.
Video
Lyrics
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’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 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
Make ’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 and drive them old trucks
Make ’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