The duo started performing together in Toronto in 1959. By 1962, they were living in New York City, where they caught the attention of manager Albert Grossman, who managed Peter, Paul and Mary and would soon become Bob Dylan's manager. Grossman secured them a contract with Vanguard Records and they released their first album late in the year.
Four Strong Winds, their second album, featured title song "Four Strong Winds", written by Ian Tyson. "Four Strong Winds" was a major hit in Canada and ensured their stardom. Years later, the song was named as the greatest Canadian song of all time by the CBC-Radio program 50 Tracks: The Canadian Version.
Their third album, Northern Journey, featured the song "Someday Soon", a composition by Ian Tyson that would rival "Four Strong Winds" in its popularity.
Their fourth album, Early Morning Rain, introduced the work of the couple's fellow Canadian songwriter and performer Gordon Lightfoot through the title song and "(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me".
In 1969, Ian & Sylvia formed the country rock group Great Speckled Bird.
By 1975, Ian & Sylvia had stopped performing together and soon afterwards were divorced.
In 1992, they were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.
In 1994, they were both made Members of the Order of Canada.
When I Was A Cowboy
Ian & Sylvia Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I don't sulk for hours on end
I don't wanna reach out 'n' punch someone
I am what I hated when I was young
I don't wear designer clothes
I ain't got pins in my nose
I ain't got a tattoo on my bum
I am what I hated when I was young
Poverty was a wonderful thing everyone enjoyed
We were eatin' grass not smokin' it
Wasn't like this when I was a boy
Wasn't like this when I was a boy
I don't rob old people's homes
I don't steal no cellular phones
I kinda like my Dad and Mom
I am what I hated when I was young
I don't holler, I don't hoot
I don't act like a nincompoop
I don't hide when the police come
I am what I hated when I was young
I'm slowin' down, I'm getting old
N' my back is getting bad
I just sit 'n' moan all day
Wasn't like this when I was a lad
Wasn't like this when I was a lad
Comb my hair, brush my teeth
Wash my feet more than once a week
N' I never leave my flies undone
I am what I hated when I was young
I'm the original mixed up kid
I ain't proud of what I did
Now I'm older, calmed down some
I hate what I used to be when I was young
I hate what I used to be when I was young
I hate what I used to be when I was young
The song "When I was a Cowboy" by Ian & Sylvia is a humorous take on the idea of growing older and reflecting on one's younger years with a new perspective. The first half of the song consists of the singer listing off all the things they don't do or don't have (such as following trends, wearing designer clothes, or having tattoos) and then admitting that those were things they actually disliked when they were younger. This ties into the chorus, which repeats the phrase "I am what I hated when I was young." The second half of the song continues with this idea, as the singer reflects on how things have changed as they've grown older - they no longer steal or act like a "nincompoop," but they also acknowledge that they are slowing down and experiencing physical ailments.
Overall, the song pokes fun at the process of aging and the changes in perspective that come with it. The message seems to be that we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously and should be able to laugh at our younger selves, even as we strive to be better people as we get older.
Line by Line Meaning
Well I don't follow any trend
I don't conform to popular culture or fads
I don't sulk for hours on end
I don't mope for long periods of time
I don't wanna reach out 'n' punch someone
I don't have violent tendencies
I am what I hated when I was young
I have become the exact thing I despised when I was younger
I don't wear designer clothes
I don't dress in expensive, brand name clothing
I ain't got pins in my nose
I don't have piercings in my nose
I ain't got a tattoo on my bum
I don't have a tattoo on my buttocks
Poverty was a wonderful thing everyone enjoyed
Everyone appreciated the simple joys of life when they didn't have much
We were eatin' grass not smokin' it
We didn't have the luxuries of drugs and indulgences
Wasn't like this when I was a boy
Things were different in the past compared to how they are now
I don't rob old people's homes
I don't break into elderly people's homes and steal from them
I don't steal no cellular phones
I don't steal cellphones
I kinda like my Dad and Mom
I have a positive relationship with my parents
I'm slowin' down, I'm getting old
I'm realizing that I'm aging and my body is changing
N' my back is getting bad
My back is causing me physical discomfort
I just sit 'n' moan all day
I spend my days complaining
Comb my hair, brush my teeth
I take care of my hygiene
Wash my feet more than once a week
I make sure to clean my feet regularly
N' I never leave my flies undone
I ensure that my pants zipper is always closed
I'm the original mixed up kid
I was a confused and complicated individual
I ain't proud of what I did
I regret my past actions
Now I'm older, calmed down some
I've matured and become more reserved with age
I hate what I used to be when I was young
I dislike the person I was when I was younger
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: IAN HUNTER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@andrewjwheelerjr275
this gem gets down deep in your cowboy soul of a thought you just gotta love it and I do love it all bless them two Canadian love birds peace everyone😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂.