Robertson's work with the Band was instrumental in creating the Americana music genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of the Band, and into Canada's Walk of Fame, with the Band and on his own. He is ranked 59th in Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 100 greatest guitarists. He wrote "The Weight", "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down", and "Up on Cripple Creek" with the Band and had solo hits with "Broken Arrow" and "Somewhere Down the Crazy River", and many others. He was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame, and received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Academy of Songwriters.
Robertson collaborated on film and TV soundtracks, usually with director Martin Scorsese, beginning in the rockumentary film The Last Waltz (1978) and continuing through dramatic films including Raging Bull (1980), The King of Comedy (1983), Casino (1995), Gangs of New York (2002), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Silence (2016), The Irishman (2019), and Killers of the Flower Moon (2023).
Robbie Robertson died in Los Angeles on August 9, 2023, at the age of 80, after a year-long battle with prostate cancer.
Showdown At Big Sky
Robbie Robertson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
He's a man of war
Just can't remember
What he's fighting for
Start a revolution
Right before your eyes
When you hear the big bang
Don't you be surprised
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at Big Sky
That day may be soon
And people, people
Can you hear the sound
From every village and every town?
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out (everybody)
Keep on ringing, ringing
Can't predict the future
Can't forget the past
Feels like any moment
Could be the last
All you believers
Standing inside this room
Can't you see it coming
Shooting on across the moon
(Save this place)
In the valley of tears
By the river of time (from the weapons race)
In the Book of David
In the holy light (when it's laid to waste)
It will be written
By the children of Eden (I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at Big Sky
That day may be soon
And people, people
Can you hear the sound
In every village and every town
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin' (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out (everybody)
Keep on ringing, ringing
(Save this place)
In the valley of tears
By the river of time (from the weapons race)
In the Book of David
In the holy night (when it's laid to waste)
It will be written
By the children of Eden (I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost
And the Holy Ghost
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Kiss tomorrow goodbye
That day could be soon
Give us the strength
Give us the wisdom
And give us tomorrow
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out (all the people gonna)
Keep on ringing, ringing (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out (ring out)
Hear the bells ringin' (ringin')
Let the bells ring out (all the people gonna)
Keep on ringing, ringing (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out
Keep on ringing, ringing
In the first verse of "Showdown At Big Sky," Robbie Robertson introduces a character known as a soldier of fortune. The man of war can no longer remember what he's fighting for and seems to be starting a revolution. The song then makes a reference to a big bang, which can be interpreted as a sudden, explosive event that shakes up everything. The chorus then repeats a warning about the showdown at Big Sky, suggesting that something ominous will happen soon.
In the second verse, Robertson reflects on the fleeting nature of time, stating that any moment could be the last. He then addresses the believers or those standing together, who don't see the imminent danger. The song concludes with a plea to save this place, possibly referencing the earth or some other place that's significant.
Line by Line Meaning
Soldier of fortune
Referring to a man who fights in battles for money instead of patriotism.
He's a man of war
Describing the man as one who is experienced and skilled in warfare.
Just can't remember
The man has forgotten the cause he fights for.
What he's fighting for
The man has lost sight of his motivations and ideals.
Start a revolution
Inciting a political or social uprising and rebellion.
Right before your eyes
The revolution is happening right in front of you.
When you hear the big bang
Referring to the sound of gunfire or explosions in battle.
Don't you be surprised
The violence and conflict are to be expected.
Showdown at Big Sky
A confrontation or battle taking place at a location called Big Sky.
Darkness at high noon
A metaphorical phrase depicting a time of intense conflict and danger occurring at a typically peaceful time of day.
That day may be soon
Implying that the showdown or conflict could happen very soon.
Can you hear the sound
Asking the listener if they can hear the sounds of change or revolution happening around them.
From every village and every town?
Asking if the sounds of revolution are being heard across the entire region.
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Using the metaphor of church bells ringing to signify the call to revolution or social change.
Hear the bells ringin'
Repeating the call to revolution from the previous line.
Keep on ringing, ringing
Reinforcing the idea that the call to revolution should continue until change happens.
Can't predict the future
The future is unknown and unpredictable.
Can't forget the past
The past has shaped the present and cannot be ignored.
Feels like any moment
Implying that something significant could happen at any moment.
Could be the last
The feeling of uncertainty and danger of potential conflict or violence.
All you believers
Addressing the listeners as those who believe in change or revolution.
Standing inside this room
Imagery of a group of people standing together in solidarity for a common cause.
Can't you see it coming
Urging the listeners to recognize the coming conflict or showdown.
Shooting on across the moon
Imagery of gunfire or explosions that can be seen lighting up the sky.
In the valley of tears
A metaphorical phrase to describe a place or time of great sadness and hardship.
By the river of time (from the weapons race)
Refers to the arms race and the consequential danger it poses to society and the world.
In the Book of David
An allusion to the Bible, specifically the Book of David in the Old Testament.
In the holy light (when it's laid to waste)
Describing the holy light as that which will be revealed when everything is destroyed and nothing is left.
It will be written
The history of what happens will be recorded and remembered.
By the children of Eden (I said save this place)
Referring to mankind as the descendants of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, calling for the preservation of the earth and its resources.
And the Holy Ghost
A symbol of guidance and inspiration from a higher power.
Kiss tomorrow goodbye
A metaphor meaning to face the consequences or dangers of the present without worrying about the future.
Give us the strength
A plea for strength to endure the conflict and stand for what is right.
Give us the wisdom
A plea for wisdom to make the right decisions and know how to act in the face of danger and conflict.
And give us tomorrow
A wish for a better future after enduring the difficulties faced in the present.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Robbie Robertson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
beach bum
Soldier of fortune, he's a man of war
Just can't remember what he's fighting for
Start a revolution right before your eyes
When you hear the big bang don't you be surprised
Showdown at big sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at big sky
That day may be soon
People, people, can you hear the sound
From every village and every town?
Let the bells ring out, hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out, keep them ringing, ringing
Can't predict the future, can't forget the past
Feels like any moment could be the last
All you believers standing inside this room
Can't you see it coming shooting out across the moon?
(Save this place)
In the valley of tears by the river of time
(From weapons race)
In the Book Of David in the Holy Bible
(When it's laid to waste)
It will be written by the children of Eden
(I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost
Showdown at big sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at big sky
That day may be soon
People, people, can you hear the sound
From every village and every town?
Let the bells ring out, hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out, keep them ringing, ringing
(Save this place)
In the valley of tears by the river of time
(From weapons race)
In the Book Of David in the Holy Bible
(When it's laid to waste)
It will be written by the children of Eden
(I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost, and the Holy Ghost
Showdown at big sky
Darkness at high noon
Kiss tomorrow goodbye
That day could be soon
Give us strength, give us wisdom
And give us the morals
Let the bells ring out, hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out, keep them ringing, ringing
Let the bells ring out, hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out, keep them ringing, ringing
Let the bells ring out, hear the bells ring in
Let the bells ring out, keep them ringing, ringing
Writer(s): Robbie Robertson
Glenna S.
Such an awesome song!!
Soldier of fortune
He's a man of war
Just can't remember
What he's fighting for
Start a revolution
Right before your eyes
When you hear the big bang
Don't you be surprised
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at Big Sky
That day may be soon
And people, people
Can you hear the sound
From every village and every town?
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out (everybody)
Keep on ringing, ringing
Can't predict the future
Can't forget the past
Feels like any moment
Could be the last
All you believers
Standing inside this room
Can't you see it coming
Shooting on across the moon
In the valley of tears
By the river of time (from the weapons race)
In the Book of David
In the holy light (when it's laid to waste)
It will be written
By the children of Eden (I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Showdown at Big Sky
That day may be soon
And people, people
Can you hear the sound
In every village and every town
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin' (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out (everybody)
Keep on ringing, ringing
In the valley of tears
By the river of time (from the weapons race)
In the Book of David
In the holy night (when it's laid to waste)
It will be written
By the children of Eden (I said save this place)
And the Holy Ghost
And the Holy Ghost
Showdown at Big Sky
Darkness at high noon
Kiss tomorrow goodbye
That day could be soon
Give us the strength
Give us the wisdom
And give us tomorrow
Let the bells ring out (ring those bells)
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out (all the people gonna)
Keep on ringing, ringing (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out (ring out)
Hear the bells ringin' (ringin')
Let the bells ring out (all the people gonna)
Keep on ringing, ringing (ring those bells)
Let the bells ring out
Hear the bells ringin'
Let the bells ring out
Keep on ringing, ringing
Jeff Wolinski
Robbie has gone to the big sky, this is probably my favorite song of his. His solo work is so underappreciated, his solo albums are absolute masterpieces.
Bill Somody
One of the greatest of them all! Authentic and so beautifully and brilliantly crafted are his songs!
Nicky Leach
A totally irreplaceable musician. He will be so missed.
Kathleen Salazar
how true, I am devastating, saw him in 60's as Bob Dylan's backup banding Syracuse N Y been I to him & him Band! such a shock he was 89 I am 74 his music 🎶 is amazing ❤
Kathleen Salazar
Definitely 💯 I am shocked
FergieInVA
You are so right. 😢
G.P. W
Agreed, miss , but loved forever!
ForestCitySoulja
Travel Well Robbie 🙏🏼
A Canadian Icon proud of his Six Nations Roots 🪶
You will be missed greatly. Thank you for all the music
OICU812
Fuck ya!! Right on!!! 🍺🎸🍻
RHYGAR TWO
Well said my Friend