Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They'd rather give you a song then diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's and each night begins a new day
If you don't understand him and he don't die young
He'll probably just ride away
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
Them that don't know him won't like him
And them that do sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong he's just different
But his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers
In "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," Waylon Jennings reflects on the cowboy lifestyle and warns mothers not to encourage their children to pursue this lifestyle. The song describes the toughness and independence of a cowboy's life, as well as the potential loneliness and isolation that comes with it. Cowboys may not give diamonds and gold, but they will offer a song and a sense of freedom.
Jennings explains that cowboys are not easy to love and even harder to hold onto. They value their independence and may ride away if they feel confined or misunderstood. Jennings also highlights the cowboy's love for simple pleasures such as a game of pool or the companionship of a warm puppy, but also recognizes that not everyone will appreciate a cowboy's different way of living. Their pride may prevent them from conforming to societal norms, even if their actions may seem wrong to others.
Ultimately, Jennings urges mothers to not let their babies grow up to be cowboys, but rather opt for more conventional careers like doctors or lawyers. While the life of a cowboy may seem exciting, it is, at times, a challenging and unconventional path.
Line by Line Meaning
Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
Being with a cowboy requires a lot of effort and patience.
They'd rather give you a song then diamonds or gold
Cowboys value music and emotion more than material things.
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's and each night begins a new day
Cowboys have a unique style and lifestyle that is distinct from others.
If you don't understand him and he don't die young
Cowboys are misunderstood by many people, but they are also strong and resilient.
He'll probably just ride away
Cowboys are independent and they don't like to be tied down.
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Mothers should not raise their children to become cowboys because it's a difficult lifestyle.
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Mothers should encourage their children to pursue more stable and traditional careers.
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mothers should support their children's career aspirations.
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Cowboys are always on the move and they don't have much time for relationships or family.
Even with someone they love
Even if cowboys find someone they love, their lifestyle makes it hard to maintain a relationship.
Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's
Cowboys enjoy simple pleasures and outdoor activities.
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
Cowboys have a soft side for pets, children, and sometimes prostitutes.
Them that don't know him won't like him
People who don't understand a cowboy's lifestyle won't appreciate him.
And them that do sometimes won't know how to take him
Even people who know cowboys well can be confused by their quirks and habits.
He ain't wrong he's just different
Cowboys are not necessarily wrong, they just have different values and priorities than most people.
But his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right
A cowboy won't do something just to please others if it goes against his own beliefs and values.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ed Bruce, Patsy Bruce
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind