About the song
Few country songs capture the spirit of resilience, heartache, and the wandering soul quite like **Amarillo By Morning** by **George Strait**. A cornerstone of traditional country music, this song has stood the test of time, evoking images of a lone cowboy pushing forward through hardship, driven by an unshakable sense of purpose. Released in 1983 as part of Strait’s album *Strait from the Heart*, it remains one of his most beloved and enduring hits.
At its core, **Amarillo By Morning** is a song about perseverance. The lyrics tell the story of a rodeo cowboy who, despite his struggles—losing money, suffering injuries, and facing loneliness—keeps moving forward with an almost poetic acceptance of his fate. The idea of waking up in Amarillo, Texas, the next morning serves as a metaphor for resilience, a nod to the cowboy’s way of life, where tomorrow always holds another rodeo, another chance.
What makes this song truly remarkable is how effortlessly it captures the essence of classic country music. The melody is simple yet unforgettable, with a gentle fiddle introduction that immediately sets a wistful, almost cinematic tone. Strait’s signature smooth baritone delivers the lyrics with a quiet strength, making the song feel deeply personal yet universally relatable. His vocal performance is understated but powerful, embodying the stoic determination of the cowboy without ever slipping into melodrama.
Originally written by Terry Stafford and Paul Fraser in 1973, **Amarillo By Morning** found new life in Strait’s hands, cementing its place as one of the greatest country songs of all time. Though it never reached No. 1 on the charts, its legacy far outshines its peak position. The song has since become a defining piece of George Strait’s career, embraced by fans as a timeless anthem of endurance and the unbreakable cowboy spirit.
For those who appreciate the purity of country music—the storytelling, the sincerity, the raw emotional undercurrents—**Amarillo By Morning** stands as a shining example of why George Strait is considered one of the genre’s greatest artists. It’s more than just a song; it’s a journey, a glimpse into a life shaped by hardship yet fueled by an unwavering passion for the road ahead.
Video
Lyrics
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
When that Sun is high
In that Texas sky
I’ll be buckin’ at the county fair
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo I’ll be there
They took my saddle in Houston
Broke my leg in Santa Fe
Lost my wife and a girlfriend
Somewhere along the way
But I’ll be lookin’ for eight
When they pull that gate
And I hope that
Judge ain’t blind
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s on my mind
Amarillo by mornin’
Up from San Antone
Everything that I got
Is just what I’ve got on
I ain’t got a dime
But what I’ve got is mine
I ain’t rich
But Lord, I’m free
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
Amarillo by mornin’
Amarillo’s where I’ll be
