About the song
**The Highwaymen – Highwayman** is a classic song that brings together four of the most legendary voices in country music: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. This collaboration, which became one of the most iconic moments in the genre, was first released in 1985 as the title track of their album *The Highwaymen*. The song stands as a powerful testament to the storytelling tradition of country music, weaving together themes of reincarnation, immortality, and the enduring spirit of the American frontier.
In **Highwayman**, each of the four artists takes turns narrating a past life, with the lyrics describing their various reincarnations. The song begins with a tale of a man who lived as a highwayman, a figure of the old West, a robbing outlaw riding the open roads. The next verse takes the listener into the life of a sailor lost at sea, followed by a third life as a dam builder who perishes in the waters. The final verse, which ties the whole piece together, reveals that the narrator has come back time and again, unchanged by time, as each of these figures.
The beauty of **The Highwaymen – Highwayman** lies not only in its richly evocative lyrics but in the harmony of the voices of Cash, Nelson, Jennings, and Kristofferson. Each of these artists brings his own unique sound and presence, adding layers of depth and soul to the storytelling. Johnny Cash’s deep, resonant voice anchors the narrative with a solemnity that makes the song feel both timeless and profound. Willie Nelson’s distinctive, mellow tones bring a sense of reflection and longing, while Waylon Jennings adds a touch of ruggedness and rawness. Kris Kristofferson’s smooth vocals round out the ensemble, giving the song a perfect sense of balance.
This song is more than just a tune—it’s a journey through time, a philosophical meditation on life, death, and what might lie beyond. With its lush orchestration, haunting melodies, and poignant lyrics, **The Highwaymen – Highwayman** is a song that has stood the test of time. It speaks not only to those who love country music but to anyone who appreciates the power of storytelling through song.
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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 born 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
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
And I’ll be back again, and again and again and again and again
