About the song
Some songs transcend time, carrying a weight of history and storytelling that makes them feel almost mythic. **”Highwayman”** by **The Highwaymen** is one such song—a ballad that weaves together past lives, rugged landscapes, and an enduring spirit that refuses to be forgotten.
Recorded in 1984, this song marked the beginning of the legendary country supergroup **The Highwaymen**, featuring **Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson**. These four icons, each a giant in their own right, came together to form what felt like the Mount Rushmore of outlaw country. “Highwayman” wasn’t just a song—it was a statement.
Originally written by **Jimmy Webb**, the song tells the tale of a restless soul reincarnated through different lifetimes. Each verse presents a new incarnation: a highwayman, a sailor, a dam builder, and finally, a spaceship pilot. It’s a poetic meditation on resilience, fate, and the unstoppable force of human will. The way each member of **The Highwaymen** takes on a verse—starting with Nelson’s ethereal delivery, followed by Jennings’ sturdy voice, Kristofferson’s rugged storytelling, and finally, Cash’s deep, resonant finish—adds layers of depth to the narrative. Their voices, so distinct yet perfectly complementary, make the song feel like a grand, cinematic journey through time.
The arrangement is haunting yet beautiful, carried by a soft but steady rhythm, atmospheric synthesizers, and a melody that lingers long after the song ends. Lyrically, it’s a masterpiece, blending existential themes with classic folk storytelling. And at its heart, **”Highwayman”** is a song about endurance—the idea that even in the face of death, some spirits never truly disappear.
For fans of country music, folk traditions, or just great songwriting, **”Highwayman”** stands as one of the most unforgettable songs of its era. It’s a testament to the power of four legendary voices coming together to create something timeless.
Video
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
