About the song
“Highwayman.” Released in 1985 as the title track of their debut album, this song wasn’t just a hit; it was a cultural event, a touchstone that cemented the group’s status as a formidable force in country music. Its simple melody and philosophical message have a power to transport that few other songs can ever claim.
The lyrics of “Highwayman,” penned by the brilliant songwriter Jimmy Webb, are a stunning chronicle of a soul’s journey through reincarnation. The song’s strength lies in its profound emotional honesty and its unique, multi-layered narrative. Each verse introduces a new character, each a man of a different time and place, from a highwayman in 18th-century England to a sailor, a dam builder in the American West, and finally, a starship pilot in the distant future. The lyrics speak to a deep-seated human desire for freedom and the bittersweet realization that while our physical forms may change, the essence of our spirit and our rebellious nature remains. It’s a song about the kind of profound tranquility that makes the heart sing and the world stand still. Phrases like “I was a highwayman / Along the coach roads I did ride” and “I fly a starship / Across the Universe divide” perfectly capture this blend of profound intimacy, hopeful romanticism, and a quiet search for inner peace. The song speaks to the universal human experience of finding your true love, the feeling of being in perfect harmony with a partner, and the deep emotional ache that comes from a love that can’t yet be.
The vocal performance on “Highwayman” is nothing short of masterful and perfectly embodies the song’s gentle and authentic spirit. The Highwaymen’s voices, with their remarkable smoothness, a touch of youthful fragility, and their effortless sincerity, deliver the lyrics with a palpable sense of genuine emotion and raw, unwavering conviction. He doesn’t have the soaring theatrics of later divas; instead, he sings with a sweet, conversational tone that makes the listener feel as if they are overhearing a private confession from a friend. The harmonies and interplay with The Highwaymen are exquisite, adding a layer of mournful beauty that perfectly mirrors the lyrical content. His voice, with its smooth, soulful texture and his gentle, conversational tone, makes the listener feel as if they are overhearing a private confession from a friend. The Highwaymen’s brilliance lies in their unparalleled ability to infuse such a deeply personal and emotionally charged narrative with raw, authentic feeling, connecting with audiences on a visceral, empathetic level through the sheer honesty and breathtaking control of their voices. It is a masterclass in conveying a complex emotional state with rugged confidence and undeniable pathos.
The musical arrangement of “Highwayman” is a pristine example of the classic pop-country sound of the mid-1980s, meticulously crafted to serve the powerful lyrical narrative and the exquisite vocal. It typically features a rich, gentle acoustic guitar that establishes a hypnotic, fingerpicked rhythm, often complemented by a soft, ethereal choir of backing vocals that adds a layer of dreamy beauty and a sense of shared experience. The instrumentation is elegant and restrained, never overpowering the voice but instead providing a rich, supportive bed for her emotional delivery. The iconic a cappella opening is a stroke of genius, immediately drawing the listener in with the sheer power and beauty of her voice alone. The production is clean, warm, and remarkably clear, ensuring that every instrumental nuance and, crucially, The Highwaymen’s incredible vocals are heard with astonishing clarity, enhancing the song’s profound emotional impact and its undeniable beauty. It’s an arrangement that feels both intimately personal and universally relatable, perfectly suited for a heartfelt ode to timeless devotion.
“Highwayman” resonated profoundly with audiences because its universal themes of love, hope, and the pain of a love that can never be are deeply understood and intensely felt. It remains a cherished track in The Highwaymen’s remarkable discography, a true signature song that further cemented their legacy as a master storyteller and a pop legend. It is a timeless classic, a powerful and exhilarating reminder that sometimes, the most profound truth is found in the simple words, The Highwaymen – Highwayman.
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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 ’25
But I am still alive
I was a sailor
I was born upon the tide
With the sea I did abide
I sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to Mexico
I went aloft to furl 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 and around
I’ll 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
And I’ll come back again, and again
And again and again and again and again
And again
