Widely considered one of the best country songs of all-time, several cover versions have been made of the song written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser, and recorded by Stafford in 1973.The song is sung from the point of view of a rodeo cowboy, driving at night from San Antonio to a county fair in Amarillo, that will begin the following morning. The man recounts the hardships his occupation has caused him, including divorce, broken bones, and poverty, but states that he does not regret his lifestyle: "I ain't rich/ But Lord, I'm free."
George Strait recorded the song for his 1982 album Strait from the Heart. It was released on MCA as a single. The publisher's release was January 14, 1983, and the full release came February 16, 1983. The single entered the Billboard Country chart February 12, 1983, peaking at #4. It has since become one of Strait's signature songs.
Amarillo By Morning
George Strait Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
When that sun is high in that Texas sky
I'll be buckin' at the county fair
Amarillo by morning
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
Well, I'll be looking for eight when they pull that gate
And I hope that judge ain't blind
Amarillo by morning
Amarillo's on my mind
Amarillo by morning
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I've got on
I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine
I ain't rich, but Lord, I'm free
Amarillo by morning
Amarillo's where I'll be
Amarillo by morning
Amarillo's where I'll be
In the first verse, the singer is vocalizing the desire to go to Amarillo, Texas, early in the morning from San Antone, Texas. The singer indicates that everything he owns, he is carrying on his back. He knows he has to compete in the rodeo and will be bucking at the county fair when the sun is high in the Texas sky. The imagery of the rodeo competition depicts a hardworking cowboy who has put all of his focus on the rodeo and nothing else. The point of view of the singer seems to be from a humble cowboy, and despite having nothing to his name but what he carries with him, he still has his aspirations and sights set on Amarillo.
In the second verse, the singer tells about losing his saddle in Houston and breaking his leg in Santa Fe. He also recognizes that he has lost his wife and a girlfriend somewhere along the way. Despite these challenges, the singer plans on continuing to compete in the rodeo and hopes to score a high of eight when the gate is pulled open. The last line of the verse expresses that Amarillo is still on his mind despite all of his troubles. The repetition of "Amarillo by morning" throughout the song gives the feeling of hope and desire and implies that everything else the singer has lost is worth the chance to compete and to find hope and purpose.
Line by Line Meaning
Amarillo by morning, up from San Antone
I'll be in Amarillo early in the morning, traveling from San Antonio.
Everything that I've got, is just what I've got on
I don't have much with me, everything I own is on me.
When that sun is high in that Texas sky
During the day when the sun is shining in the sky of Texas.
I'll be bucking at the county fair
I'll be riding a bucking horse at the county fair.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo I'll be there
I'll be in Amarillo in the morning, that's where I'm headed.
They took my saddle in Houston, broke my leg in Santa Fe
I lost my saddle in Houston, and got injured with a broken leg in Santa Fe.
Lost my wife and a girlfriend somewhere along the way
I lost both my wife and girlfriend in my travels, and don't know where they are now.
Well I'll be looking for eight when they pull that gate
I'll be looking to score at least 8 seconds when the horse riding event starts.
And I hope that judge ain't blind
I hope the judge won't be unfair or biased in my performance.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's on my mind
I'm thinking about Amarillo and getting there in the morning.
I ain't got a dime, but what I got is mine
I'm broke, but I still have ownership of what I have.
I ain't rich, but Lord I'm free
I may not be wealthy, but I feel free and independent.
Amarillo by morning, Amarillo's where I'll be
I'll arrive in Amarillo in the morning and that's where I'll stay.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Paul Fraser, Terry Stafford
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@CountryGospel101
Who's listening to this in 2024? You are truly a legend.
@lul5592
thanks
@erikaashleyxoborjas5813
Me
@williampaz2092
Me!
@juliomelendez2695
3/2/2021 one of my favorite
@justinmacklem9635
If they're not listening to this in 2021 they're not in the right state of mind lol
@seymourscagnetti1413
I am a retired cross country truck driver. In over 40 years on the road, I must have listened to this a thousand times. This is one of the greatest songs in history, in "all" of music. A true music masterpiece.
@jablinrasekjablinrasek3578
👍👍👍
@rev.dr.yvonneray2035
I don't like country music but for some reason I love this song?!
@nihility.
@@rev.dr.yvonneray2035 You probably just don't like "modern" country music. I can't stand that either.