Tumbleweed
Sylvia (Country) Lyrics


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Tumbleweed, you're living a cowboy's dream
Tumbleweed, freedom is the air you breathe
But if you don't stop long enough
To let yourself fall in love
Tumbleweed, you're gonna end up lonely

You've been riding the range all alone for so long
No one can hold you, the wind is too strong
I'd tell you I love you and ask you to stay
But you're already drifting away

Tumbleweed, you're living a cowboy's dream
Tumbleweed, freedom is the air you breathe
But if you don't stop long enough
To let yourself fall in love
Tumbleweed, you're gonna end up lonely

You won't be broken, you won't be tied down
You drift with the wind barely touching the ground
But late at night out there under the stars
There's an empty place in your arms

Tumbleweed, you're living a cowboy's dream
Tumbleweed, freedom is the air you breathe
But if you don't stop long enough
To let yourself fall in love
Tumbleweed, you're gonna end up lonely





Tumbleweed you're gonna end up lonely
Tumbleweed

Overall Meaning

Sylvia's "Tumbleweed" talks about a wanderlust cowboy who has been riding in isolation, disconnected from human relationships for a long time. The titular character, whose name means "someone who wanders," is free to go wherever the wind takes him, without struggling to adapt to a specific place or person. He is, in many ways, living the ultimate dream of cowboy life, as he revels in his freedom and independence. However, Sylvia acknowledges that freedom comes at a cost, and for Tumbleweed, the price he might end up paying is a life of loneliness.


The lyrics continue to paint the image of the cowboy that nobody could hold, the one too wild to settle down in one place. Sylvia tries to make him fall in love, but even her efforts feel futile as the cowboy seems to have already drifted away. She tells him that he is bound to be alone if he continues to avoid emotional connections. Yet, Tumbleweed remains steadfast in his determination to be on his own, never held down, but perhaps ultimately missing out on the deep satisfaction of a loving, committed relationship.


Line by Line Meaning

Tumbleweed, you're living a cowboy's dream
You are living the idealized life of a cowboy, free to roam and do as you please


Tumbleweed, freedom is the air you breathe
The freedom to move and explore is what sustains you


But if you don't stop long enough
However, if you never take a moment to pause


To let yourself fall in love
To allow yourself to form an emotional connection with another person


Tumbleweed, you're gonna end up lonely
You will eventually find yourself feeling isolated and alone


You've been riding the range all alone for so long
You have been wandering solo across vast landscapes for an extended period of time


No one can hold you, the wind is too strong
You are fiercely independent and resistant to being tied down by anyone or anything


I'd tell you I love you and ask you to stay
I would express my affection for you and request that you remain in one place


But you're already drifting away
But you are already moving on, unable to be tied down


You won't be broken, you won't be tied down
You are confident that you cannot be weakened or restrained by anyone or anything


You drift with the wind barely touching the ground
You move with ease and fluidity, barely making an impact on your surroundings


But late at night out there under the stars
But in the quiet darkness of the night sky


There's an empty place in your arms
You feel a longing for someone to hold and share your life with


Tumbleweed, you're gonna end up lonely
You will eventually find yourself feeling isolated and alone


Tumbleweed
A symbol of constant movement and lack of connection or grounding




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DENNIS W. MORGAN, RHONDA KYE FLEMING

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Most interesting comment from YouTube:

B Adams

This song "broke" this Bronco's solitary life direction and tendency. It really made me consider settling down to more then just the mountains and myself. Then out of the blue an angle and I crossed paths and ironically it happened to be her all time nonstop album and her most favorite artist and song.

Unfortunately all of Sylvia's cheating songs grew unimaginable doubt and jealousy in her mind as we grew older and she left after 30 yrs, just when I needed her most.

I don't blame Sylvia in the least. I love her music. We all answer for our own decisions. Her music inspires, sometimes too much.

Now it's once bitten, twice shy for me and this lone rider is back to my boots and my roots. It's just me and the mountains again. And my most loyal companion, my ever faithful dog, just like before. Sad how a dog can be more loyal and faithful then most humans. God must have blessed them with gifts too precious to be trampled on by selfish men.

In the end I end up lonely. The song has come full circle.



All comments from YouTube:

PCplays99

I'm not really a country fan but this has always been one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard sung by a beautiful lady. A really special and genuine song.

Charles Baker

Cassettes of her strong lovely voice kept me sane through long patrol deployments in Reagan's Navy.  30 years later, she still sends chills up/down my spine.  Thank you, Sylvia.

Shooting Star

Sylvia..god the one girl that pulled me away from destroying my life..she saw Jesse ..dolly.. And even Linda rondstat..with fancycars jewelry...i did better this time..one night out with you changed my whole life..and attitude..i miss you and will never forget what you did for me

Bruce Hedrick

Interesting .. me too .. Seabees '80-'84. "Discovered" Sylvia while stationed on Guam

Bruce Dyer

Just one of many beautiful songs this lovely lady did. Thank you Sylvia - you'll always be my favorite !!

mark j

I had forgotten how much I love this song. Thank you.

Kelby Chesshir

She actually just performed a live performance the other night at the music school I work at. Amazing performance. Shes still got it, and shes still beautiful as ever.

jennifur sun

never get tired of this song

William Anderson

Well you have say it's all right,Hello Jennifer how are you doing 👋👋👋👋

Erica Winfrey

This song makes me feel nostalgic....I was around 10 at the time it came out....good stuff.

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