Michael Martin Murphey (born 14 March 19… Read Full Bio ↴AKA Michael Martin Murphey.
Michael Martin Murphey (born 14 March 1945 in Dallas, Texas) is a successful American country singer-songwriter whose biggest hit was "Wildfire" in 1975, produced by Bob Johnston. He was associated with the outlaw country movement. Murphey currently lives in Westby, Wisconsin, with interests in New Mexico and Texas.
Wildfire
Michael Murphey Lyrics
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On a dark, flat land she rides
On a pony she named Wildfire
With a whirlwind by her side
On a cold Nebraska night
Oh, they say she died one winter
When there came a killing frost
Busted down its stall
In a blizzard, he was lost
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
She ran calling Wildfire
By the dark of the moon, I planted
But there came an early snow
Been a hoot-owl howling outside my window now
'Bout six nights in a row
She's coming for me, I know
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go
We'll be ridin' Wildfire
We'll be ridin' Wildfire
We'll be ridin' Wildfire
On Wildfire we're gonna ride
We're gonna leave sodbustin' behind
Get these hard times right on out of our minds
Riding Wildfire
The lyrics of Michael Martin Murphey's song Wildfire depict a story of a woman who rides on a pony named Wildfire accompanied by a whirlwind on a cold Nebraska night. The woman is later mentioned to have died due to a frost, which caused Wildfire to break his stall and get lost in a blizzard. The singer then mentions how he planted during the dark of the moon, but an early snow arrived with a hoot-owl howling outside his window. He concludes the song by saying that he, too, is going to go on Wildfire with the woman, leaving their troubles and hard times behind.
The lyrics of this song paint vivid imagery of a woman's journey and her companion pony, Wildfire, through the dark and cold land of Nebraska. However, the symbolism used in the song can be interpreted in several ways. Some listeners believe that Wildfire represents a destructive force of nature, and the woman's journey represents a futile attempt to escape it. Others link the song with the tragic fate of several American pioneers who perished in the harsh conditions of the Great Plains.
Line by Line Meaning
She comes down from Yellow Mountain
A woman comes down from the mountain and enters a flat land.
On a dark, flat land she rides
The woman rides on her horse through the dark and flat land.
On a pony she named Wildfire
The woman rides a horse that she has named Wildfire.
With a whirlwind by her side
She rides with a speedy and powerful companion.
On a cold Nebraska night
The events in the song take place on a chilly night in Nebraska.
Oh, they say she died one winter
Rumors have it that she died during a cold winter season.
When there came a killing frost
During the winter, the frost was so severe that it caused destruction.
And the pony she named Wildfire
The horse called Wildfire belonged to the woman.
Busted down its stall
Wildfire broke out of its enclosure.
In a blizzard, he was lost
During the snowstorm, Wildfire could not be found.
She ran calling Wildfire
The woman searched desperately for her horse Wildfire.
By the dark of the moon, I planted
During the new moon phase, the artist planted something.
But there came an early snow
Unexpectedly, it snowed earlier than expected.
Been a hoot-owl howling outside my window now
An owl has been hooting outside the window for the past six nights.
'Bout six nights in a row
The owl has been hooting outside for the past six consecutive nights.
She's coming for me, I know
The woman is coming for the artist.
And on Wildfire we're both gonna go
The artist and the woman will ride Wildfire together.
We'll be ridin' Wildfire
Both the woman and the singer will ride on Wildfire.
On Wildfire we're gonna ride
The woman and the singer will ride Wildfire.
We're gonna leave sodbustin' behind
They will abandon their farm jobs and responsibilities.
Get these hard times right on out of our minds
They will forget about their current struggles and live in the moment.
Riding Wildfire
The song concludes with the woman and the artist riding Wildfire.
Lyrics © Royalty Network, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Capitol CMG Publishing, Songtrust Ave, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Larry Cansler, Martin Murphey Michael, Michael Martin Murphey
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@spanishking21
Todays music is garbage, absolutely garbage. I dont even turn on the radio. nothing compares to the classics. This song is beautiful and haunting. Lovely thanks for posting.
@davidomholt
I don't know why this song always makes me cry! Y'all feel the same, right?
@hardlines4
Beautiful....God bring me back to the 60's, 70's, and 80,s and take me away from todays GARBAGE of music and t.v.!!
@msstodea1
This song makes me cry everytime I hear it. I don't know why, and its not sad tears-not happy either, just tears and emotion.
@BCTTV_DTJ
When I was a kid I used to listen to my aunt Ruthie's 45 rpm records, and I wore this song out on her record player. I just came home from her funeral today (she was only 47) and I thought about this song the whole 3 hour ride back home. I love this song...and I love you Ruthie....I'll miss you. Love Always, Pete
@Bondfinesse
Words cannot express how much i love this song. Truly heart touching
@Catwoman1121
One of the most beautiful songs ever recorded! Very nice video.
@cagekicker18
I don't know how anybody could hear this song and not be moved by the emotional content and the story that is told. It is one of the finest songs from one of the most under-rated performers in American music history.
@GuitarzFromMarz
I grew up in Fort Bragg, CA. Sometime in 1975 MY dad was driving us home, I'm sure my brother and I were getting On his last nerve, And he slipped in his 8 Track of Micheal murphy martin,And I remember the song Wildfire came to play and it became dead silent. The funny thing is I am older now than my dad was back then, And i am still playing this song, I miss him so much!
@MarkBearTN
this song never gets old, it's a classic!