Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Willie Nelson Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love

Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
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
And 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
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
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
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'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




Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Willie Nelson's "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys" are a cautionary tale from a concerned parent to their child. The parent discourages their child from pursuing a cowboy lifestyle, urging them instead to become professionals like doctors or lawyers. The song implies that the cowboy lifestyle is a lonely one and suggests that cowboys are difficult to love and hold. The song goes on to describe cowboys as being different, with a unique pride that often gets in the way of doing what is right.


The first two stanzas of the song warn parents that if they allow their children to grow up to be cowboys, they will be difficult to keep close. Cowboys travel frequently, and their lifestyle can be a lonely one. The lyrics suggest that even when cowboys do find someone to love, they remain distant and disconnected. The song goes on to describe cowboys as men who prefer simple pleasures like playing pool or spending time in the mountains. The lyrics suggest that cowboys are not materialistic, but instead value the intangible things in life like the love of a good woman.


The overall message of the song is a warning to parents that the cowboy lifestyle is not for everyone. Although life as a cowboy may look exciting, the song suggests that it is a difficult and lonely path that is not for the faint of heart.


Line by Line Meaning

Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Mothers, please don't allow your children to pursue a career as cowboys.


Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Don't allow them to waste their time strumming guitars or driving old vehicles.


Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Encourage them to become respectable professionals like doctors or lawyers.


They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Cowboys are known for their nomadic lifestyles, they won't settle down and will always be lonely.


Even with someone they love
Even if they find someone they love, they will still be prone to the life of loneliness.


Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
Cowboys are difficult to love and even harder to keep in a long-term relationship.


They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Cowboys don't value material possessions, instead they express their love through music.


Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levi's, and each night begins a new day
Cowboys wear distinct accessories and clothing, and they believe in starting each day fresh.


And if you don't understand him and he don't die young, he'll probably just ride away
If you can't comprehend a cowboy's lifestyle, and he lives for long, he might leave you for someone else.


Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornin's, little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
Cowboys enjoy spending time in seedy places, tranquil mountain mornings, hanging out with pets and children, and having flings with women of ill-repute.


Them that don't know him won't like him
People who don't understand cowboys, won't appreciate their true nature.


And them that do sometimes won't know how to take him
Even someone who knows a cowboy on a deep level might not be able to comprehend them entirely.


He ain't wrong he's just different
Cowboys might not fit traditional societal norms, but that doesn't mean they're wrong in their choices.


But his pride won't let him do things to make you think he's right
Cowboys are proud people who won't compromise who they are, even if it makes others think they're in the wrong.


Mamas' don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
End of song, please, once again, don't let your children become cowboys.




Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Ed Bruce, Patsy Bruce

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found
Most interesting comment from YouTube:

@UCqkdtMiE5ZquD_lF9prae4Q

Lyrics:
Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levis
And each night begins a new day
If you don't understand him, an' he don't die young
He'll prob'ly 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
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cos they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love

Cowboys like smokey old pool rooms and clear mountain mornings
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 or drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cos they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love



All comments from YouTube:

@abothwell33

Willie & Waylon- belter of a tune. Have loved this all my life!❤

@keystonepirate2534

Thank you for the great music my good sir 🏴‍☠️🤠

@brendajeanproffitt6919

❤❤❤❤❤this song amazing Willie thank you for everything you do and done

@candidatarini8082

Eu amo ,❤❤❤❤ ele me encanta 💞

@IvanDal92ry2

I love this song ❤ the originale version are from Ed Bruce 🤠 that shocked me for some weeks ago . Its a awesome song 🥰 rest in peace Ed bruce and waylon Jennings 🙏

@allanmainz315

Love it all 🌹🌹👍👍

@leahharris5

❤. Rest in Peace 🕊️🕊️. Waylon Jennings ❤

@helencarson4680

Fantastic ❤as usual Willie❤

@MarcosBryant-gk1jv

What do you admire most about Willie

@helencarson4680

@@MarcosBryant-gk1jv Willie Nelson is full of love, kind, caring, gentle. He loves and helps people. His voice is full of love. His guitar playing is exceptionally good. He has worked hard all his life to maintain excellence in his music, giving love to all his fans. He is very special❤️

More Comments

More Versions