El Dorado
Randy Rodgers and Wade Bowen Lyrics
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But the next one's the same as before
The trail's so damn rocky and the Sun's so damn hot
I don't know where I'm headed anymore
it's hard to remember the first time I drew my gun
The faces return in the night
The past is all echoes and shadows anymore
I think I lost my taste for the fight
That is the fate of the old desperado
Better the angels to claim you than a long ride alone
Someone would have long ago found El Dorado
So luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
Play your cards as they lay on the table
Should've ended a long time ago
The only place that ever really mattered to me
Was the one place I just couldn't go
And the stars, when they shine, how they light up the night
Smell the rain comin' in on the wind
Though my eyes are so heavy, I remember tonight
When the world was just waitin' to begin
That is the fate of the old desperado
Better the angels to claim you than a long ride alone
Someone would have long ago found El Dorado
So luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
But the easy will blind you, the road will unwind you
Remind you of how far you've gone
He closed his eyes from the heavens
His breathing slowed down to a crawl
The clouds opened up like a dam broken down
And I just sat there and let the rain fall
That is the fate of the old desperado
Better the angels to claim you than a long ride alone
Someone would have long ago found El Dorado
So luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
Luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
The song "El Dorado" is a ballad about the journey of an old desperado. The lyrics describe the feeling of being lost and not knowing where to go, and the difficulty of letting go of the past. The singer of the song is tired of fighting and longing for the days when the world was new, full of hope and possibilities. He looks back at his life as a gunfighter and questions the choices he made. The chorus "That is the fate of the old desperado, better the angels to claim you than a long ride alone", speaks to the idea that it is better to die than to grow old and be alone. The singer is moving on, leaving behind his past and looking towards the future.
The song was written by Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen and released in 2015. The ballad blends country and western genres, featuring acoustic guitars and harmonious vocals. The lyrics are introspective and tell a story of regret, loneliness, and hope. The song was well received by critics, who praised the sincerity and rawness of the lyrics.
Line by Line Meaning
Find myself lookin' down on a canyon
Feeling directionless and lost, looking for a way out of a difficult situation.
But the next one's the same as before
Feeling stuck in a cycle, unable to find a way out of a situation that repeats itself.
The trail's so damn rocky and the Sun's so damn hot
Finding the journey tough and uncomfortable, with seemingly no end in sight.
I don't know where I'm headed anymore
Feeling lost and uncertain, unsure of what direction to take in life.
It's hard to remember the first time I drew my gun
Reflecting on past conflicts and mistakes, perhaps with regret or a sense of loss.
The faces return in the night
Haunted by memories of past battles and struggles, unable to escape them even in sleep.
The past is all echoes and shadows anymore
Feeling like the past is distant and indistinct, no longer clear or defined.
I think I lost my taste for the fight
Feeling tired of conflict and struggle, lacking the motivation to keep pushing forward.
That is the fate of the old desperado
The destiny of a lonely, hardened cowboy who has lived a tough and challenging life.
Better the angels to claim you than a long ride alone
It is better to die and be taken by angels than to suffer a long, lonely death.
Someone would have long ago found El Dorado
The idea that there is no such thing as a perfect or ideal place, and that any search for it is futile.
So luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
Goodbye and good luck, I am leaving this place and moving on to something else.
Play your cards as they lay on the table
Make the best of what you have, accept the situation as it is and make the most of it.
Should've ended a long time ago
A sense of regret or frustration at letting a situation go on for too long without resolving it.
The only place that ever really mattered to me
A nostalgic longing for a place or time that is no longer accessible, a memory of a happier time.
Was the one place I just couldn't go
Feeling trapped and unable to move forward or get back to a happy time or place.
And the stars, when they shine, how they light up the night
Finding beauty and solace in nature, especially in moments of darkness or uncertainty.
Smell the rain comin' in on the wind
Being aware of changes in the weather, a sense of anticipation or expectation for events to come.
Though my eyes are so heavy, I remember tonight
Recalling a specific moment or experience, even when feeling tired or exhausted.
When the world was just waitin' to begin
Feeling like there are endless possibilities and opportunities ahead, like anything is possible.
But the easy will blind you, the road will unwind you
Warning against taking the path of least resistance, as it can lead to complacency and even harm.
Remind you of how far you've gone
Reflecting on how much progress has been made, and celebrating the journey thus far.
He closed his eyes from the heavens
Metaphor for dying or passing away, with the reference to the heavens suggesting a peaceful passing.
His breathing slowed down to a crawl
Describing the physical process of dying, with the slowing of the breath representing the end of life.
The clouds opened up like a dam broken down
Describing a sudden release of energy or emotion, like a floodgate breaking open.
And I just sat there and let the rain fall
Accepting the inevitability of situations or emotions, allowing them to run their course without resisting.
Luck to you, cowboy, I'm movin' on
A final goodbye, with a sense of hope and optimism for the future.
Lyrics © Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Bruce Robinson, Wade Bowen
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind