About the song
“Highwayman” by The Highwaymen, a truly iconic and evocative country supergroup anthem that weaves together four distinct narratives of reincarnation and enduring spirit across different eras. Released in 1985, this song, written by Jimmy Webb, became the defining track of the quartet comprised of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. It’s more than just a song; it’s a sweeping epic that transcends time, connecting the lives of four different outlaws through the ages with a powerful sense of shared destiny and resilience.
The lyrics of “Highwayman” unfold as a series of four verses, each narrated by one of The Highwaymen, portraying a different outlaw figure across history. We encounter a highwayman in the 17th century, a construction worker on the Hoover Dam in the 1930s, a truck driver in the 1970s, and finally, a starship captain in the distant future. The recurring line, “Highwayman,” serves as a unifying thread, suggesting a shared rebellious spirit and a sense of living outside the conventional norms of society across different epochs. Each verse is a miniature story, rich with detail and a sense of the character’s time and circumstances, yet all are linked by the overarching theme of a soul that persists and reinvents itself through time.
The vocal performances by The Highwaymen are a masterclass in collaborative storytelling. Each member takes the lead on one of the verses, bringing their distinctive vocal styles and seasoned voices to their respective characters. Johnny Cash’s deep, resonant delivery lends gravitas to the opening verse, Waylon Jennings’s rugged baritone adds a touch of rebellious grit to the dam worker’s tale, Willie Nelson’s smooth and slightly melancholic tone brings a sense of weary experience to the truck driver’s narrative, and Kris Kristofferson’s earnest and slightly world-worn voice offers a sense of futuristic reflection in the final verse. Their voices blend in the harmonies, creating a powerful and unified sound that underscores the shared spirit of the “Highwayman” across time.
The musical arrangement of “Highwayman” is as epic and sweeping as its lyrical narrative. Beginning with a lone acoustic guitar, the instrumentation gradually builds with the introduction of each new character, incorporating elements of country, folk, and even a touch of cinematic grandeur. The production is rich and layered, creating a sense of journey and the passage of time. The song’s memorable melody and its powerful, almost anthemic chorus contribute to its enduring impact.
The Highwaymen as a group represented a coming together of country music legends, and “Highwayman” became their signature song, perfectly embodying their collective spirit and individual strengths. The song’s unique concept and its masterful execution resonated deeply with audiences who appreciated its storytelling, its evocative atmosphere, and the powerful camaraderie of these four iconic voices.
In essence, “Highwayman” is more than just a country song; it’s a sweeping and evocative epic that transcends time, connecting four distinct narratives of rebellion and enduring spirit through the powerful collaboration of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. The recurring image of the “Highwayman” serves as a timeless symbol of independence and resilience across the ages.
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Lyrics
I was a highwayman
Along the coach roads, I did ride
With sword and pistol by my side
Many a young maid lost her baubles to my trade
Many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
The bastards hung me in the spring of twenty-five
But I am still alive
I was a sailor
I was borne upon the tide
And with the sea, I did abide
I sailed a schooner round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft and furled the mainsail in a blow
And when the yards broke off they said that I got killed
But I am living still
I was a dam builder
Across the river deep and wide
Where steel and water did collide
A place called Boulder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell into the wet concrete below
They buried me in that great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around
I’ll always be around and around and around and around and around and around
I fly a starship
Across the Universe divide
And when I reach the other side
I’ll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
Perhaps I may become a highwayman again
Or I may simply be a single drop of rain
But I will remain
I’ll be back again and again and again and again and again and again
