Waylon Jennings - My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys

Waylon Arnold Jennings (June 15, 1937 February 13, 2002) was an influential American country music singer and musician. A self-taught guitar player, he rose to prominence as a bass player for Buddy Holly following the break-up of The Crickets.

In 1976, Jennings began his career-defining collaborations with Nelson on the compilation album Wanted: The Outlaws!, country's first platinum record.

He continued to be active in the recording industry, forming the group The Highwaymen with Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson. Jennings released his last solo studio album in 1998. In 2001, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Lyrics:
I grew up a-dreamin' of bein' a cowboy,
Lovin' the cowboy ways.
Pursuin' the life of my high-ridin' heroes,
I burned up my childhood days.
I learned all the rules of the modern-day drifter,
Don't you hold on to nothin' too long.
Just take what you need from the ladies, then leave them,
With the words of a sad country song.

My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.

Cowboys are special with their own brand of misery,
From being alone too long.
You could die from the cold in the arms of a nightmare,
Knowin' well your best days are gone.
Pickin' up hookers instead of my pen,
I let the words of my years fade away.
Old worn-out saddles, an 'old worn-out memories,
With no one and no place to stay.

My heroes have always been cowboys.
And they still are, it seems.
Sadly, in search of, one step in back of,
Themselves and their slow-movin' dreams.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Waylon
• Jennings
• My
• Heroes
• Have
• Always
• Been
• Cowboys
• The
• Outlaws
• Highwaymen
• Country
• Musician

[75freeman]

what a voice, his body may have passed on but his soul will live forever in the words of his music. great video too

[OilGusher]

When Waylon was alive, he was considered The Nashville Renegade and an Institution that would benefit artists and the music listening public.

His legend goes on.

What a story! A True Heroe.

Memories of Waylon will always play on people's heart strings!

[grasshopperjunction]

few possess the music Mr. Jennings had in him.

[THEFLYINGREDNECK]

1 persons heros are indians!

[AssociatedPressRaw]

What kind of a tool would hit the "Dislike" Button.

WTF

Waylon is the best there ever was.

[WhoresOfTijuana]

@NorwegianGodofRock69 The "Outlaw" in Waylon was not his music but him not wanting to use Nashville's session players and do what their producers wanted. He produced his own albums in the 70s and recorded his sound. Unlike the idiots in Nashville today that all make the same sound because the "producers" call the shots.

[DavidRosenthal74]

this is a GREAT song!

[ThunderChicken72]

Wow, I love this version. I've only heard Willie's. I would love to hear a duet. This is so haunting, ol' hoss really nailed it on this. Thanks for posting.

[rainydog]

One of my favorites.

Bill

[NorwegianGodofRock69]

@DeppandAbsinthe "REAL" Country, this album was considered Outlaw country. By the "REAL" country music industry when it was released. Plus Waylon Jennings, was considered to be an outlaw of country music anyway. Years from now the music you consider non real country music. Will be "real" to another generation. And they will look back on it with the same adoration as you do this song.

[DeppandAbsinthe]

I'll listen to country music again, when they sing it like this! God bless REAL country music ...those who sing it, and those who love to hear it. Thankfully, the legends live on.

[TheOriginalShredneck]

if there was ever a song to describe me, this is it.

(came here after watching a certain pantera song btw ;) )