Ralph McTell is probably best known for the song Streets of London which has been covered by over a hundred artists around the world. From Clare to Here has proved almost as popular, during a long and continuing recording and performing career.
McTell's guitar style has been influenced by many of the USA's country blues 'Piedmont- style' guitar players of the early 20th century, including Blind Blake and Blind Willie McTell, from whom he took his name.
When I Was a Cowboy
Ralph McTell Lyrics
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Me and my six-gun kept law in the alley.
I remember my first horse well, he was lean but a fast one
We travelled miles together, until he got stolen.
And the sheriff said get early to bed
And always keep your hat screwed on real tight
Case you get in a fight.
If you wanna be a cowboy.
I travelled far from home, even jumped freight trains
Threw stones in the ocean, slept out in the cold rain.
It was down in some southern town, and the music was playing
And the people were talking so loud, they heard no words I was saying.
And the sheriff said get early to bed
And always keep your hat screwed on real tight
Case you get in a fight.
Well that's one of the tricks that you must employ
If you wanna be a cowboy.
I dreamed of a mountain, with one lonesome rider
He was ragged and tattered, and he carried a sabre.
And all through the canyon you could hear his bones rattle.
He was dead on a dying horse and he was tied to the saddle.
And the sheriff said get early to bed
And always keep your hat screwed on real tight
Case you get in a fight.
Well that's one of the tricks that you must employ
If you wanna be a cowboy.
I was a cowboy, out on the prairie.
My life is easier, back home in the alley.
And the sheriff said get early to bed
And always keep your hat screwed on real tight
Case you get in a fight.
Well that's one of the tricks that you must employ
If you wanna be a cowboy.
Ralph McTell's "When I Was a Cowboy" is a nostalgic and reflective song about the experiences of a cowboy on the prairie. The lyrics present a narrative of a cowboy's life, both exciting and difficult, involving adventure, danger, and emotional pain. It seems to describe the journey of someone who dreamed of becoming a cowboy, made that dream a reality, but eventually returned to the familiar and simple life of the alley.
The first verse begins with a description of the cowboy with his six-gun on the prairie and introduces his first horse, which was lean but fast. The cowboy speaks fondly of travelling miles with his horse until it was stolen. The second verse highlights the challenges faced by a cowboy, including travelling far from home, jumping trains, and sleeping in the cold rain. The lyrics mention the context of southern town music where no one listened to the cowboy's words. The third verse seems more abstract, perhaps a dream or an allegory, with a mountain and a rider carrying a sabre. The imagery depicts a dead man tied to a dying horse, creating a haunting scene. The final verse describes the cowboy's return to the alley and his reflection on the sheriff's advice of getting to bed early and keeping one's hat screwed on tightly in case of a fight.
Overall, the song combines personal storytelling with universal themes of adventure, regret, and growing up. The lyrics create a tapestry of experiences that are both romantic and challenging, highlighting the contradictions of the cowboy life. The repeated refrain of the sheriff's advice serves as a reminder of the cowboy's role as a lawkeeper and protector, as well as a signal of the importance of self-protection and survival. In the end, the song suggests that the cowboy's life may have been difficult but also fulfilling, and paved the way for inner growth and maturation.
Line by Line Meaning
I was a cowboy out on the prairie.
The singer identifies himself as a cowboy who lived on the vast expanse of land.
Me and my six-gun kept law in the alley.
He was a cowboy with a six-gun who enforced law in the streets.
I remember my first horse well, he was lean but a fast one
The singer has fond memories of his lean but fast first horse, with whom he travelled miles until it was stolen.
We travelled miles together, until he got stolen.
The artist and his first horse are inseparable until his beloved animal gets stolen.
And the sheriff said get early to bed
The sheriff gave some advice to the artist.
And always keep your hat screwed on real tight
He also advised the singer to always wear his hat tightly fixed on his head.
Case you get in a fight.
The reason behind the sheriff's above advice is to protect oneself when encounters a fight.
Well that's one of the tricks that you must employ
The sheriff's advice about wearing hats and going to bed early is one of the tricks a cowboy must employ.
If you wanna be a cowboy.
The sheriff's advice is essential for someone who wants to live the life of a cowboy.
I travelled far from home, even jumped freight trains
The artist left his home and travelled far, even jumped freight trains.
Threw stones in the ocean, slept out in the cold rain.
He also threw stones in the ocean and slept outside in the cold rain.
It was down in some southern town, and the music was playing
The artist recalls being in a southern town where there was music playing.
And the people were talking so loud, they heard no words I was saying.
The people were so loud that they didn't hear what the singer said.
I dreamed of a mountain, with one lonesome rider
The singer had a dream of a mountain with one rider who was all alone.
He was ragged and tattered, and he carried a sabre.
The rider was ragged with tattered clothes and carried a sabre.
And all through the canyon you could hear his bones rattle.
The rider was so weak that even from afar, you could hear his bones rattle.
He was dead on a dying horse and he was tied to the saddle.
The rider was already dead, being tied to a dying horse.
My life is easier, back home in the alley.
The singer's life is easier in his old neighborhood.
Contributed by Kaelyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.