Desert Skies
The Marshall Tucker Band Lyrics


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Well I'm ridin' along
Singin' the same ol' cowboy song
That's been sung a hundred times before

Ain't got nothin' but my name
And I'm the only man I know to blame
But I'm livin' I'm happy and I'm free
Just listen to the wind blow
Let it blow let it blow
Sand over my trail
I got my saddle on the ground
And that ol' moon he can still be found
Hidin' in the desert sky

I like simple things in life
Like a prairie breeze
A good stout horse between my knees
Just bein' alone just bein' me

And when I die let me die
With a dream in my mind
A smile on my face and no trouble behind
And no cross on my grave
To show my restin' place

So I can listen to the wind blow
Let it blow let it blow
Sand over my trail
I got my saddle on the ground
And that ol' moon he can still be found
Hidin' in the desert sky

Won't you bury me with my chaps on
And my six-gun strapped to my side
So I can watch the moon a-hidin'
In the desert sky
Hidin' in the desert sky




Hidin' in the desert sky
Hidin' in the desert sky

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Marshall Tucker Band's "Desert Skies" speak to the simple pleasures of living a free and independent life on the open range. The singer is riding along, singing a cowboy song that's been sung a hundred times before - a reference to the timeless nature of the Western lifestyle. He has nothing but his name and himself to blame, but he's happy and free. The wind blows, the sand covers his trail, and the moon is hiding in the desert sky - all elements that contribute to the beauty and mystery of the Western landscape. The singer likes simple things in life, like the breeze and a good horse, and he wants to die with a dream in his mind, a smile on his face, and no trouble behind.


The song speaks to the romanticization of the Western lifestyle, which has been a popular theme in American music and literature for generations. The singer seeks freedom, independence, and a connection to nature in the untamed wilderness of the desert. He wants to live life on his own terms, with no one to answer to but himself. The song also emphasizes the importance of living in the present moment and savoring life's simple pleasures. Overall, "Desert Skies" is a celebration of the Western spirit and the beauty of the natural world.


Line by Line Meaning

Well I'm ridin' along
I am traveling on horseback


Singin' the same ol' cowboy song
Singing a traditional cowboy song


That's been sung a hundred times before
The song is a well-known classic


Ain't got nothin' but my name
I have nothing but myself


And I'm the only man I know to blame
I am responsible for my own life


But I'm livin' I'm happy and I'm free
Despite having nothing, I am content and free


Just listen to the wind blow
Take a moment to appreciate the natural surroundings


Let it blow let it blow
Allow yourself to be carried away by the wind


Sand over my trail
The wind blows the sand over the trail I leave behind


I got my saddle on the ground
My saddle rests on the ground


And that ol' moon he can still be found
I can still see the moon


Hidin' in the desert sky
The moon is visible in the sky


I like simple things in life
I appreciate the simple pleasures in life


Like a prairie breeze
The cool wind blowing across the open grasslands


A good stout horse between my knees
I am grateful for a strong, reliable horse


Just bein' alone just bein' me
I appreciate being alone with my thoughts


And when I die let me die
When I pass away


With a dream in my mind
With hopes and aspirations for the future


A smile on my face and no trouble behind
With only good memories and no regrets


And no cross on my grave
I do not want religious symbols on my gravestone


To show my restin' place
As a marker for my final resting place


Won't you bury me with my chaps on
I want to be buried as a cowboy


And my six-gun strapped to my side
With my firearm at my side


So I can watch the moon a-hidin'
So I can look up at the moon in the sky


In the desert sky
Visible in the open expanse of the desert


Hidin' in the desert sky
The moon remains hidden amongst the stars and darkness


Hidin' in the desert sky
The moon remains hidden, but still present


Hidin' in the desert sky
The moon is hidden as it sets below the horizon




Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TOY CALDWELL

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Dee Napier

Sucks so far...

Most interesting comment from YouTube:

Nikki & Antonia - Partners in Crime

Saaweet!

I like simple things in life
Like a prairie breeze
A good stout horse between my knees
Just bein' alone, just bein' me
And when I die let me die
With a dream in my mind
A smile on my face and no trouble behind
And no cross on my grave
To show my restin' place



All comments from YouTube:

NattyBumppo48

Can you name another band/group that's doin' stuff like this today?  Hell no, they all sound alike.  Marshal Tuck was and still is unique!  That western/country/blues/jazz mix is one-of-a-kind.  Beautiful stuff...

nate nicholas

NattyBumppo48 the dead

WH

Never gonna be another Toy Caldwell . . . So glad he shared his talent with us on this , my favorite , album .

kind2311

I swear his guitar has an almost calypso sound to it. Amazing that they were able to make country music like this.

Steve Douglas

@WH Yes indeed! I had the pleasure of meeting and hanging out with Toy for a little while back in 1975. "Super" nice guy! Man-o-man I wish he would have had a fuller life.

WH

@Steve Douglas That is really cool ! Loved that group since I was in my 20's , that is over 40 years . I've had them on 8 track ,cassette LP's , & CD's ! My only celeb encounter was Walter Trout , the blues artist . He and his band were in a resturant having breakfast in Elk City , Oklahoma . There was hardly anyone else there that morning. I nervously asked if He was who I thought it was and they were so nice it blew me away. Invited me to sit with them. They were headed to Kansas City to open for Skynyrd ! Man , why couldn't they have all been traveling together ! Ha.

22 More Replies...

Bill Malone

My all time favorite Marshall Tucker Band song. I love how they blended country, southern rock and bit of jazz and blues together to make a great cowboy song.

Paddy O'Furniture

I know, right!

Moo Shu Guy

At a Marshall Tucker concert, it only took a song or two for the audience to become a family. So fun!

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