“Highwayman” is not just a song; it’s a journey through time and tales, a melodic ride alongside the souls of characters who live, die, and live again. Crafted by the brilliant songwriter Jimmy Webb, this song was brought to life by the iconic supergroup The Highwaymen, consisting of country legends Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. Their voices blend, each narrating a life they’ve lived, from a highway robber to a sailor, and from a dam builder to a starship pilot, embodying the eternal return.
What makes “Highwayman” exceptional is its lyrical depth and the resonance of its theme—reincarnation. Each verse is a mini-epic, encapsulating a whole life in a few poignant lines. The melody is both haunting and uplifting, carrying the weight of past lives and the hope of rebirth. It’s this blend of melancholy and promise that strikes a chord with listeners, connecting on a deeply emotional level.
For those who have felt the thrill of adventure, the yearning for freedom, or the quiet despair of a life cut short, “Highwayman” offers a voice. It’s a reminder of the cyclic nature of life and our enduring spirit. This song doesn’t just tell stories; it invites us to ponder our own pasts and futures, our own mistakes and redemptions. It’s a musical exploration of the soul’s journey through time—a timeless ballad that continues to captivate and inspire.
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Lyrics
[Verse 1: Willie Nelson]
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
[Verse 2: Kris Kristofferson]
I was a sailor
I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide
I sailed a schooner around 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
[Verse 3: Waylon Jennings & All]
I was a dam builder
Across a 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 gray 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…
[Verse 4: Johnny Cash & All]
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, and again…