Cowboys
Mina Lyrics


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Ora che per poco
Perdevi anche il treno di stamattina
L'unico che va bene
Per Modena

Poi chi glielo spiega
A quella vipera assassina
E intanto non siamo più
Cowboys.

Ore che è finita
Con tutto quel cinema americano
E che dire il nome di Bologna
Non ci sembra strano

Ora non ci rimane
Che parlarne al controllore
Che non ci prenda per




Che non ci prenda per
Cowboys

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Mina's song "Cowboys" depict a sense of being lost and out-of-place in contemporary society. The singer mourns over almost missing a train to Modena and not being a "cowboy" like before. One can infer that she feels like she is not in control of her life anymore and misses the simplicity of the past. The metaphors used throughout the song are poignant and powerful. For example, the phrase "vipera assassina," meaning "deadly viper," could refer to society itself, depicted as ruthless and unforgiving. The longing for the past is emphasized in the lines, "Con tutto quel cinema americano" ("With all that American cinema"), which symbolize the unattainable nostalgic feelings that the past projects in our minds. The singer yearns for the past, where she was a "cowboy," free and independent, but now feels trapped and suffocated.


The lyrics can also be interpreted as a commentary on society's expectations of people, and how they feel like they need to fit in, to not be taken for cowboys. The controllore, meaning "ticket inspector," serves as a symbol for society, which is constantly expecting people to follow a set of rules and norms. The repetition of the phrase "per che non ci prenda" emphasizes the fear of being caught as an outsider, who does not fit into the preconceived notions of society.


Line by Line Meaning

Ora che per poco
Now that for a little while


Perdevi anche il treno di stamattina
You missed the train this morning as well


L'unico che va bene
The only one that's suitable


Per Modena
For Modena


Poi chi glielo spiega
Then who's going to explain to her


A quella vipera assassina
To that murdering viper


E intanto non siamo più
And meanwhile we're not


Cowboys.
Cowboys anymore.


Ore che è finita
Now that it's over


Con tutto quel cinema americano
With all that American cinema


E che dire il nome di Bologna
And saying the name Bologna


Non ci sembra strano
Doesn't seem strange to us


Ora non ci rimane
Now we only have left


Che parlarne al controllore
To talk about it to the conductor


Che non ci prenda per
So he won't take us for


Che non ci prenda per
So he won't take us for


Cowboys
Cowboys




Contributed by Sydney E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
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