The Greatest Cowboy Of Them All
Johnny Cash & Waylon Jennings Lyrics
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I've loved a lot of legends
Many men in my mind are riding tall
But my cowboy hero hat's off
To the man who rode a donkey
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
He loves all His little dogiesHe speaks to them kind and gentle
And He'll lift up any maverick that falls
He sees every stray that's scatters
Like he's the only one that matters
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
Once He rode into the sunset
Of some returning sunrise
He'll call up all the riders in the sky
I'll get my roll together
Getting ready for that roundup
That winds up where old cowboys never die
The trail He rides is narrow
But it's straighter than an arrow
And He rides point for all the great and small
He will take us through the wire
On to that plane that's higher
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
Once He rode into the sunset
Of some returning sunrise
He'll call up all the riders in the sky
I'll get my roll together
Getting ready for that roundup
That winds up where old cowboys never die
The trail He rides is narrow
But it's straighter than an arrow
And He rides point for all the great and small
He will take us through the wire
On to that plane that's higher
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
The lyrics of Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings’ The Greatest Cowboy Of Them All are centered around the concept of a cowboy hero, and how it transcends beyond the traditional cowboy figure. The first verse establishes the idea that the singer has had heroes before, but that the ultimate position of “greatest cowboy” belongs to a man who rode a donkey. This is a reference to Jesus Christ, and the use of “cowboy” as a descriptor speaks to the idea of a hero who rode into town and saved the day.
The second verse further solidifies the connection to Jesus Christ as it talks about how He loves all of His “little doggies” and is kind and gentle with them. The reference to “mavericks” falling shows how He lifts up those who have fallen, and how He considers every “stray” who is lost. These lines allude to the Christian belief of how Jesus views each individual person as important and valuable.
The last verse talks about Jesus’s ultimate goal, which is to take every great and small person on a journey through the “wire” and onto a higher plane. This is a reference to the idea of the afterlife, and how Jesus will guide his followers to eternal life.
Overall, the lyrics of The Greatest Cowboy Of Them All use the image of a cowboy hero to compare and contrast the traditional cowboy figure to Jesus Christ. By doing so, they highlight how Jesus can be seen as the ultimate hero and guide for those who follow him.
Line by Line Meaning
I have always had my heroes
Throughout my life, I have admired many individuals and considered them as heroes.
I've loved a lot of legends
I have an immense admiration for many legendary figures.
Many men in my mind are riding tall
There are several men that I hold in high esteem in my thoughts.
But my cowboy hero hat's off
However, none of my heroes can quite match up to my ultimate cowboy hero.
To the man who rode a donkey
My ultimate cowboy hero is the one who rode a donkey into Jerusalem, Jesus Christ.
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
In my eyes, Jesus Christ is the most significant and admirable cowboy of all time.
He loves all His little doggies
Jesus loves and cares for all of his followers, referring to them as his 'sheep.'
He speaks to them kind and gentle
Jesus communicates with his followers in a gentle and caring way.
And He'll lift up any maverick that falls
Jesus will help and support any individual who struggles and falls from their path.
He sees every stray that's scatters
Jesus is aware of every lost and wandering individual.
Like he's the only one that matters
He treats every individual as if they are the most important person to him.
Once He rode into the sunset
Jesus ascended into heaven after his mission on Earth was complete.
Of some returning sunrise
It is believed that Jesus will return someday, signified by the rising sun.
He'll call up all the riders in the sky
When Jesus returns, he will gather all of his followers from heaven and Earth.
I'll get my roll together
I will prepare myself and be ready to meet Jesus when he returns.
Getting ready for that roundup
I will be ready to be 'rounded up' and taken to heaven with Jesus.
That winds up where old cowboys never die
Heaven is where nobody ever dies, including the 'cowboys,' or followers, of Jesus.
The trail He rides is narrow
The path to follow Jesus is not an easy one, but rather narrow and challenging.
But it's straighter than an arrow
However, this path is direct and leads straight to heaven.
And He rides point for all the great and small
Jesus leads and guides all of his followers, regardless of their status or significance.
He will take us through the wire
Jesus will help us overcome any obstacles or barriers that may stand in our way.
On to that plane that's higher
Jesus will ultimately guide us to heaven, a higher and more perfect place.
He's the greatest cowboy of them all
Overall, Jesus Christ is the ultimate and greatest cowboy hero of all time.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: Johnny Cash
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@uglymoon78
Two of the greatest singers in all popular music! Amazed at the flexibility of Waylon's voice, he could sing both low baritone and high tenor equally well.
@travisowens8602
I just realized this song is about Jesus. Wow, love it even more now.
@jackdundon2261
How far into did it take you to realize who it was?
@travisowens8602
Jack Dundon About the 5th time I listened to it, “he rode a donkey” is the line that told me.
@jackdundon2261
@@travisowens8602 me too. Actually I was trying to think what Hollywood hero rode a donkey, & my wife chimed in 'jesus rode a donkey', and I honestly lost it when I realized the truth.
Anyhow, from dogie to another. Happy Trails.
@tonymitchellltennessee
I was listening to Johnny singing a song called I'm Gonna Try To Be That Way. That was on his Johnny Cash Show album and I heard Jesus in my heart say to me. He's talking about me!!
@calebd910
I just realized it this week. Took me a while. I have the same response, now this is one of my favorites of his that he wrote.
@trollmanize
Awsome song explains my faith
@joachimmartinlopena538
Johnny, Waylon, Don Henley and Glenn Frey on their way to heaven on horseback.
Jesus, coming from the left on a white stallion
J: Mighty fine of you gentlemen to come and join Me.
@mrzeegrr
If anyone ever asks you what talent is,send them here.