Highwayman
The Highwaymen Lyrics
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Along the coach roads, I did ride
With sword and pistol by my side
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
But I am still alive
I was a sailor
I was borne upon the tide
And with the sea, I did abide
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
But I am living still
I was a dam builder
Across the river deep and wide
Where steel and water did collide
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around
I'll always be around and around and around and around and around and around
I fly a starship
Across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
I'll be back again and again and again and again and again and again
The Highwaymen's song, Highwayman, recounts the tales of a man who has lived many lives and taken on different roles, from a highwayman to a sailor, a dam builder, and even a starship pilot. The song speaks of his experiences and how he has survived despite the challenges thrown his way.
In the first verse, the singer describes himself as a highwayman who rode the coach roads with a sword and pistol, robbing young women of their possessions and soldiers of their lives. Despite being hanged in 1825, he claims to still be alive. The second verse sees him take on the life of a sailor, who sailed around the Horn to Mexico and met his supposed death when the yards broke off. However, he insists he is still living.
In the third verse, he says he was a dam builder and fell into the wet concrete below in Boulder, Colorado. Although he was buried in a tomb, he claims to still be around. In the final verse, the singer says he now flies a starship across the universe and will find a place to rest his spirit if he can. He may become a highwayman again or a single drop of rain, but he knows he will remain and will always be back again.
The song is a narrative poem that tells the story of a man's various lives, and how he has defied death and mortality by surviving each life, yet always returning. The theme of reincarnation and rebirth is prevalent throughout the song, as the singer repeatedly claims to still be alive.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a highwayman
I used to rob people on the roads.
Along the coach roads, I did ride
I traveled on horses along the roads where people traveled by coach.
With sword and pistol by my side
I carried a sword and a gun with me to protect myself and to rob others.
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
I have stolen from many young women in the past.
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
I have killed many soldiers in the past.
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
I was caught and hanged by the authorities in 1825.
But I am still alive
Despite being hanged, I am still alive and I continue to exist.
I was a sailor
I also used to work as a sailor.
I was borne upon the tide
I traveled on the waves of the ocean.
And with the sea, I did abide
I spent a lot of time on the sea.
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I sailed a ship around Cape Horn to get to Mexico.
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
I climbed the ship's mast to furl the sail during a storm.
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
There was a rumor that I had died when the ship's yardarm broke.
But I am living still
I survived and I'm still alive.
I was a dam builder
I also worked as a builder of dams.
Across the river deep and wide
I built dams across wide and deep rivers.
Where steel and water did collide
The dams I built were in places where steel and water met.
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I built a dam in a place called Boulder on the wild Colorado river.
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
I fell into the wet concrete while working on the dam.
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
They buried me in a place without any noise or sound.
But I am still around
Despite being buried, I am still alive and I continue to exist.
I'll always be around and around and around and around and around and around
I will continue to exist forever in some form or another.
I fly a starship
I now travel through space in a spaceship.
Across the Universe divide
I travel across the vast distances of the universe.
And when I reach the other side
When I reach my destination on the other side of the universe.
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
I will try to find a peaceful place to rest my spirit.
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
I might go back to being a highwayman if the opportunity arises.
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
I might also just be a small drop of rain.
But I will remain
I will continue to exist in some form or another.
I'll be back again and again and again and again and again and again
I will return time and time again, continually existing.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Jimmy Webb
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@stevemiller2728
We lost another member of the Highwaymen yesterday, September 28, 2024. Kris Kristofferson passed away at his home in Maui Hawaii. He Joins Johnny Cash and Wayland Jennings leaving only the great Willie Nelson to carry on the wonderful music talent we've all enjoyed throughout the years. These are great men with exceptional talent who live in our hearts and minds forever. RIP Kris, Johnny and Wayland and thanks for the memories!!
@Lottodude-t9j
Legends never die! Celebrating the highway men tonite!
@Lottodude-t9j
Steve Miller thank you!
@benniejones8270
So sad RIP they will always be around around and again again ❤
@TheManny717
Regardless, we are blessed and grateful for his work. Until then, Kris.
@Myles452
Rest in peace
@WhatIsTheDill
I played this song for a few friends. None of them liked it. Clearly, I need new friends.
@bigjohonyas
Clearly
@Prod.Uisce1
Your friends should get cultured
@rinsanga_c
No just still stick with the same ones