1) The Highwaymen was an Am… Read Full Bio ↴There are two artists sharing this name;
1) The Highwaymen was an American country music supergroup, composed of four of the genre's biggest artists, known for their pioneering influence on the outlaw country subgenre: Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. Active between 1985 and 1995, the group recorded three major label albums as The Highwaymen: two on Columbia Records and one for Liberty Records. Their Columbia works produced three chart singles, including the number one "Highwayman" in 1985.
Between 1996 and 1999, Nelson, Kristofferson, Cash, and Jennings also provided the voice and dramatization for the Louis L'Amour Collection, a four-CD box set of seven Louis L'Amour stories published by the HighBridge Company, although the four were not credited as "The Highwaymen" in this work.
Besides the four formal members of the group, only one other vocal recording artist appeared on a Highwaymen recording: Johnny Rodriguez, who provided Spanish vocal on "Deportee", a Woody Guthrie composition, from "Highwayman".
The four original members starred in a movie together: the 1986 film Stagecoach.
2) The Highwaymen were a collegiate folk group from the 1960s who had a significant impact on the folk scene of that time and remain famous for the song "Michael" and "Cotton Fields." Formed in 1958 while the band members were at college, the group broke up in 1964 after releasing eight albums and ten singles. They reunited in 1987, minus Chan Daniels (who died in 1975), for a concert for their 25th college reunion. Between then and 2009, the band has performed ten to twelve concerts a year. Today, two of the original five members (Steve Butts and Steve Trott) are still alive, with Dave Fisher dying on May 7, 2010, Gil Robbins (father of actor Tim Robbins) dying on April 5, 2011, and Bob Burnett dying on December 8, 2011.
The Twentieth Century Is Almost Over
The Highwaymen Lyrics
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Back in 1899
Everybody sang "Auld Lang Syne"
A hundred years would take a long-long time,
For every little boy and girl
Now there's just one thing I would like to know,
Where did the twentieth century go?
I swear it was there just a minute ago, all over this world
(Cash and Nelson)
All over this world
All over this world
The twentieth century is almost over
All over this world
(Cash)
Does anybody recall the Great Depression?
I read all about it in the True Confession
Sorry I was late for the recording session,
Somebody put me on hold
Did anybody see them linoleum floors, petroleum jelly, and two world wars?
The went 'round in revolving doors, all over this world
(Cash and Nelson)
All over this world
All over this world
The twentieth century is almost over
Almost over, almost over
The twentieth century is almost over
All over this world
(Nelson)
Ol' father time is a-rumblin' and a-rappin'
Standin' at the window, thumpin' and a-tappin'
Everybody's waitin' for somethin' to happen,
I hope it don't happen to you
(Cash)
You know, the judgement day is gettin' nearer,
There it is in the rear-view mirror
If you duck down, I could see a little clearer, all over this world
(Cash and Nelson)
All over this world
All over this world
The twentieth century is almost over
Almost over, almost over
The twentieth century is almost over
All over this world
All over this world
All over this world
The twentieth century is almost over
Almost over, almost over
The twentieth century is almost over
All over this world
All over this world
All over this world
The twentieth century is almost over
Almost over, almost over
The twentieth century is almost over
All over this world
(Fade out)
The Highwaymen's song "The Twentieth Century Is Almost Over" is a nostalgic reflection on the passing of the 20th century. It is a collaboration between Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings. The song begins with Nelson reminiscing about the start of the 20th century and the song "Auld Lang Syne" that everyone sang to celebrate it. He then wonders where the century has gone and how it has passed so quickly. This sentiment is echoed by all four singers as they reflect on the great events and changes of the century, from the Great Depression to two world wars.
Cash's verse mentions everyday items and experiences that are now nostalgic artifacts of the past, including linoleum floors and petroleum jelly. He also acknowledges that he was late for the recording session and had to be put on hold, showing how even the recording technology of the past is now outdated. The chorus repeats the central theme of the song -- that the twentieth century is almost over and everything that happened during it has been all over the world.
Nelson's verse features a personification of Father Time, who is rumbling and tapping at the window, perhaps impatiently waiting for the century to end. Cash's second verse is a reflection on the Judgment Day, which is getting nearer and is seen in the rear-view mirror. The final chorus repeats the idea that the century is almost over, with a sense that something momentous is about to happen.
Overall, "The Twentieth Century Is Almost Over" is a bittersweet reflection on the passing of an era, the changes it brought, and the inevitability of time marching on. It is a tribute to the people, events, and experiences that defined the 20th century and a reminder to cherish each moment, as time waits for no one.
Line by Line Meaning
Back in 1899
During the year 1899, a century seemed like a long period of time
Everybody sang 'Auld Lang Syne'
The song 'Auld Lang Syne' was popular among people during the New Year's Eve of 1899
A hundred years would take a long-long time
One hundred years was considered a long time back in 1899
For every little boy and girl
This line emphasizes that the idea of a century was significant for every person, irrespective of their age or gender
Now there's just one thing I would like to know
The singer raises a question about where the twentieth century went, implying that the century has passed faster than expected
Where did the twentieth century go?
The singer is wondering how quickly the twentieth century has gone by
I swear it was there just a minute ago, all over this world
The line implies that the twentieth century feels like it was just a minute ago and has passed all over the world quickly
Does anybody recall the Great Depression?
The singer inquires if anyone remembers the widespread economic depression that occurred during the twentieth century
I read all about it in the True Confession
The singer read about the Great Depression in the magazine True Confession
Sorry I was late for the recording session
The singer apologizes for being late for the recording session of the song
Somebody put me on hold
The singer had to wait on hold for some time before recording the song
Did anybody see them linoleum floors, petroleum jelly and two world wars?
The singer is questioning if anyone has noticed the technological and historical advancements that occurred during the twentieth century
They went 'round in revolving doors, all over this world
The singer refers to the two world wars and their far-reaching impact across the world
Ol' father time is a-rumblin' and a-rappin'
The line implies that time is moving faster than expected, like an old man rushing around
Standin' at the window, thumpin' and a-tappin'
The singer describes time as standing somewhere and impatiently tapping, indicating that time is running out
Everybody's waitin' for somethin' to happen
This line emphasizes a sense of anticipation in everyone as they wait for the twentieth century to end
I hope it don't happen to you
The singer expresses hope that nothing adverse will happen to the listener, possibly referring to the approaching 'judgement day'
You know, the judgement day is gettin' nearer
The singer is reminding the listener that the end times or the 'judgement day' is approaching
There it is in the rear-view mirror
The 'judgement day' is getting closer, and the singer thinks it is like a car seen through the rear-view mirror
If you duck down, I could see a little clearer, all over this world
The singer implies that the listener could possibly understand the urgency of the approaching end times if they take a closer look at what is happening globally
The twentieth century is almost over
The 20th century is nearing its end, and people have mixed feelings about it
All over this world
The impacts of the twentieth century were felt worldwide
Contributed by Kaitlyn M. Suggest a correction in the comments below.