The Cowboy Rides Away: Live from AT&T Stadium

It started way back in third grade
I used to sit beside Emmylou Hayes
A pink dress, a matching bow, and her ponytail
She kissed me on the school bus but told me not to tell
Next day I chased her around the playground
Cross the monkey bars to the merry-go-round
And Emmylou got caught passing me a note
Before the teacher took it I read what she wrote

Do you love me do you want to be my friend
And if you do
Well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no

Now we're grown up and she's my wife
Still like two kids with stars in our eyes
Not much has changed I still chase Emmylou
Up and down the hall around the bed in our room
Last night I took her out in a white limousine
Twenty years together she still gets to me
Can't believe it's been that long ago
When we got started with just a little note

Do you love me do you want to be my friend
And if you do
Well then don't be afraid to take me by the hand
If you want to
I think this is how love goes
Check yes or no

- Danny Wells, Dana Hunt

Well I was ruling the roost, had all the chicks to myself.
And suddenly it happened, that funny little feeling I felt.
Well I tried to outrun it, but it finally caught up with me.
Tell me how can I run from something that I can't see?

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

Well I always thought that I had me a pretty good style,
But I lost that race by a good old country mile.
Well I was walking all around with my head held way up high,
And it fooled me, hit me, really took me by surprise.

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.

Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Oh that little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.
Nobody's ever seen it, but it's got the whole world shook up.
It all started with a little bitty kiss and a hug.
It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

It's a little bitty teeny weeny thing they call the lovebug.

- Wayne Kemp, Curtis Wayne

Nickels and dimes, memories and wine
She's on his mind once again
The same ol' stew, the same ol' fool
Played by the rules but didn't win
There's an old love in his heart that he can't lose
He tried forgettin' but he knows that it's no use

He's got a fool hearted memory
It won't let him see, that she walked out the door
He's got a fool hearted memory, he sits patiently
Here every night so it can fool him more

She was his girl, his only world
That string of pearls that slipped away
A thousand dimes, a thousand times
He doesn't mind what they say
He fills the jukebox, then plays the same ol' song
He fills his glass and then he turns her memory on

But it's a fool hearted memory
It won't let him see, that she walked out the door
He's got a fool hearted memory, he sits patiently
Here every night so it can fool him more

- Byron Hill, Alan R. Mevis

He rode up on a winter day
Steam rising off a streak faced bay
Said, you probably know my name
If you don't it's Arkansas Dave

He talked of fifteen years ago
And how he got the bay he rode
Said, he killed a man in Ohio
First man he killed, first horse he stole

It was a long road for Arkansas Dave
He shot and left him where he lay
Said, he'd never forget that winter day
He rode off on a streak faced bay

I stood up and I shook his hand
Told no one that I knew this man
Started thinking of a plan
'Bout how I'd deal him his last hand

Didn't take him long to come unwound
He jumped up and gunned two men down
Ran outside to leave the town
But ol' bay was nowhere to be found

I hid out with my 44
And when he walked back through the door
I shot till I could shoot no more
And Dave Rudabaugh fell to the floor

It was the end of the road for Arkansas Dave
I shot and left him where he lay
I'll never forget that winter day
I rode off on the streak faced bay

No, I'll never forget that winter day
I rode home on daddy's streak faced bay

- Bubba Strait

I take off time to time
With those crazy friends of mine
Head out on steel horses
With wheels and we ride

We burn up that road to old Mexico
Blend in with the desert
Just we amigos
And we roll

Cowboys like us sure do have fun
Racin' the wind, chasin' the sun
Take the long way around back to square one
Today we're just outlaws out on the run
There'll be no regrets, no worries and such
For cowboys like us

We talk about livin', babies, and women
All that we've lost and all we've been givin'
We sing about true love, lie about things we ain't done
Drink one more cold one, come mornin' get up
And we roll

Cowboys like us

- Bob DiPiero, Anthony Smith

You try and try to erase
That lonely look on your face
You try and try to pretend
Soon it's all gonna end
You cry a few more tears
Into a few more beers
The days turn to weeks
And the weeks feel like years

[Chorus:]
That's what breaking hearts do
That's what breaking hearts do
They cause you so much pain
Make you go insane
That's what breaking hearts do

Every time you try to walk
in circles you walk
Every time you try to talk
In circles you talk
You can't think straight
Your mind starts to spin
You can try to fight it
But you know you can't win

Feel like your hands are tied
Bound up, strapped down, busted inside
Don't have the will to find your way
And you don't think you can take it even one more day

Feel like your hands are tied
Bound up, strapped down, busted inside
Don't have the will to find your way
And you don't think you can take it even one more day

They keep you looking out your window
they keep you checking your phone
You hear a sound at your door
You walk across that floor
But you're still there all alone

[Repeat Chorus]

They cause you so much pain
They make you go insane
That's what breaking hearts do.

- George Strait, Bubba Strait

We said goodbye in Marina del Rey
I had a good time was the last thing
I heard her say as I walked away
And on this plane back to Tennessee
My mind comes across her memory
And yesterday in Marina del Rey

On a hidden beach under a golden sun
She spread a blanket that we laid down on
And loved the world away in Marina del Rey
And as we looked into each other's eyes
We found our body's lost in paradise
Like castaways in Marina del Rey

Like the ocean tides, high and lows
Love sometimes comes
And goes away in Marina del Rey
And as this plane is touching down
Tears touch my eyes for I have found
My heart has stayed in Marina del Rey

On a hidden beach under a golden sun
She spread a blanket that we laid down on
And loved the world away in Marina del Rey
And as we looked into each other's eyes
We found our body's lost in paradise
Like castaways in Marina del Rey
We said goodbye in Marina del Rey

- Dean Dillon, Frank Dycus

I'm not going to lay around and whine and moan
'Cause somebody done done me wrong
Don't think for a minute
That I'm gonna sit around and sing some old sad song
I believe it's half full, not a half empty glass
Every day I wake up knowing it could be my last

I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time
So bring on some sunshine, to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine
When I am gone put it in stone, he left nothing behind'
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time

Folks are always dreaming about what they like to do
But I like to do just what I like
I'll take the chance, dance the dance
It might be wrong but then again it might be right
There's no way of knowing what tomorrow brings
Life's too short to waste it I say bring on anything

I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time
So bring on the sunshine to hell with the red wine
Pour me some moonshine

When I'm gone put it in stone,
"He left nothing behind"
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time
I ain't here for a long time
I'm here for a good time

- Dean Dillon, Bubba Strait, George Strait

Her telephone rang 'bout a quarter to nine
She heard his voice on the other end of the line
She wondered what was wrong this time
She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him, it could be anythin'
And she always expected the worst
In the back of her mind

He said, "It's cold out here and I'm all alone
Didn't make the short go again, and I'm comin' home
I know I've been away too long
I never got a chance to write or call
And I know this Rodeo has been hard on us all
But I'll be home soon
And Honey, is there somethin' wrong?"

She said, "Don't bother comin' home
By the time you get here I'll be long gone
There's somebody new and he sure ain't no Rodeo man"
He said, "I'm sorry it's come down to this"
There's so much about you that I'm gonna miss
But it's alright baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
Gotta go now baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne"

He left that phone danglin' off the hook
Then slowly turned around and gave it one last look
Then he just walked away
He aimed his truck toward that Wyoming line
With a little luck he could still get there in time
And in that Cheyenne wind he could still hear her say

She said, "Don't bother comin' home
By the time you get here I'll be long gone
There's somebody new and he sure ain't no Rodeo man"
He said, "I'm sorry it's come down to this
There's so much about you that I'm gonna miss
But it's alright baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne
Gotta go now baby
If I hurry I can still make Cheyenne"

She never knew what his calls might bring
With a cowboy like him, it could be anythin'
And she always expected the worst
In the back of her mind

- Aaron Barker, Erv Woolsey

We got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper sprout
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson
Ever since the fire went out

I'm goin' to Jackson
I'm gonna mess around
Yeah, I'm goin' to Jackson
Look out Jackson town
Well, go on down to Jackson

Go ahead and wreck your health
Go play your hand you big-talkin' man
Make a big fool of yourself

Yeah, go to Jackson
Ho comb your hair
Honey, I'm gonna snowball Jackson
See if I care
When I breeze into that city
People gonna stoop and bow
All them women gonna make me
Teach 'em what they don't know how

I'm goin' to Jackson
You turn-a loose-a my coat
I'm goin' to Jackson

"Goodbye", that's all she wrote
But they'll laugh at you in Jackson
And I'll be dancin' on a Pony Keg
They'll lead you 'round town like a scalded hound
With your tail tucked between your legs

Yeah, go to Jackson
You big-talkin' man.
And I'll be waitin' in Jackson
Behind my Japan Fan

Well now, we got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper Sprout
We've been talkin' 'bout Jackson
Ever since the fire went
I'm goin' to Jackson
And that's a fact

Yeah, we're goin' to Jackson
Ain't never comin' back
Well, we got married in a fever
Hotter than a pepper sprout'

- Billy Edd Wheller, Jerry Leiber

A showman's life is a smokey bar
And the fevered chase of a tiny star
It's a hotel room and a lonely wife
From what I've seen of a showman's life
Nobody told me about this part

They told me all about the pretty girls
And the wine and the money and the good times
There's no mention of all the wear and tear
On an old honky tonker's heart
Well I might have known it
But nobody told me about this part

A boy will dream as children do
Of a great white way, until the dream comes true
And a phony smile in a colored light
Is all there is to a showman's life
Nobody told me about this part

They told me all about the pretty girls
And the wine and the money and the good times
There's no mention of all the wear and tear
On an old honky tonker's heart
Well I might have known it
But nobody told me about this part

And nobody told me about this part

They told me all about the pretty girls
And the wine and the money and the good times
There's no mention of, all the wear and tear
On an old honky tonker's heart
Well I might have known it
But nobody told me about this part
Well I might have known it
Nobody told me about this part

- Jesse Winchester

Nobody saw them running
From 16th Avenue
They never found the fingerprints
Or the weapon that was used
But someone killed country music
Cut out its heart and soul
They got away with murder
Down on music row

The almight dollar
And the lust for worldwide fame
Slowly killed tradition
And for that, someone shouldhang ("Ahh, you tell 'em Alan")
They all say "Not Guilty!"
But the evidence will show
That murder was committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And the fiddles barely play
But drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Are mixed up in your face
Ol' Hank wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

They thought no one would miss it
Once it was dead and gone
They said no one would buy them ol'
Drinkin' and cheatin' songs ("Oh, but I still buy 'em")
Well there ain't no justice in it
And the hard facts are cold
Murder's been committed
Down on music row

For the steel guitars no longer cry
And you can't hear fiddles play
With drums and rock 'n' roll guitars
Mixed right up in your face
Why the Hag wouldn't have a chance
On today's radio
Since they committed murder
Down on music row

Why they even tell the Possum
To pack up and go back home
There's been an awful murder
Down on music row

- Larry Cordle, Larry Shell

Well, excuse me, but I think you've got my chair.
No, that one's not taken, I don't mind
If you sit here, I'll be glad to share.
Yeah, it's usually packed here on Friday nights.
Oh, if you don't mind, could I talk you out of a light.

Well, thank you, could I drink you a buy?
Oh, listen to me, what I mean is can I buy you a drink?
Anything you please.
Oh, you're welcome, well, I don't think I caught your name.
Are you waiting for someone to meet you here?
Well, that makes two of us glad you came.

No, I don't know the name of the band, but they're good.
Aren't they, would you like to dance?
Yeah, I like this song too, it reminds me of you and me.
Well, baby do you think there's a chance
That later on I could drive you home?
No, I don't mind at all.

Oh, I like you too, and to tell you the truth
That wasn't my chair after all.
Oh, I like you too, and to tell you the truth
That wasn't my chair after all.

- Hank Cochran, Dillon

July moonlight shines
Your pretty little head on my shoulder
Pull over on the side of the road
Oh my God, you're something
Like nothing I've ever seen
If I'm asleep girl, let me dream

Baby fall into my kiss
It should just happen like this
Trust it so much that there's no one else but us and
This moment that says it's so right
'Cause that's all we have in this life
Drink up this love, baby, give it all we got tonight

Summer honeysuckle
Leaking through a rolled down window
We both know when that seat lays back
Anything can happen
So imagine it'll never end
Just close your eyes and you can see that we are where we're meant to be

Baby fall into my kiss
It should just happen like this
Trust it so much that there's no one else but us and
This moment that says it's so right
'Cause that's all we have in this life
Baby, drink up this love, give it all we got tonight
Give it all we got tonight

Baby fall into my kiss
It should just happen like this
Trust it so much that there's no one else but us and
This moment that says it's so right
That's all we have in this life
Drink up this love, c'mon, give it all we got tonight
Give it all we got tonight

- Mark Bright, Tim James, Phil O’Donnell

If there's a plane or a bus leaving Dallas
I hope you're on it
If there's a train moving fast down the tracks
I hope you caught it

Cause I swear out there ain't where you ought to be
So catch a ride, catch a cab
Don't you know I miss you bad
But don't you walk to me

Baby run, cut a path across the blue skies
Straight in a straight line
You can't get here fast enough

Find a truck and fire it up
Lean on the gas and off the clutch
Leave Dallas in the dust
I need you in a rush
So baby run

If you ain't got a suit case
Get a box or an old brown paper sack
And pack it light or pack it heavy
Take a truck, take a Chevy
Baby just come back

There's a shortcut to the highway out of town
Why don't you take it
Don't let that speed limit slow you down
Go on and break it

Baby run, cut a path across the blue skies
Straight in a straight line
You can't get here fast enough

Find a truck and fire it up
Lean on the gas and off the clutch
Leave Dallas in the dust
I need you in a rush
So baby run

Baby run
Oh baby run
Baby run

- Tony Lane, Anthony Smith

It all started back in 1981.
Our life together had just begun.
I didn't know what my future would hold,
But you gave me a chance,
So I set out on the road.

It wasn't easy going then.
There were times I almost threw that old towel in,
But you kept callin me back to the stage,
And I finally found my place in each and every face.

I'm not sayin I'm through by any means.
There's still things that I want to say and do.
I hope you won't forget me, cause we've shared a lot dreams.
And just know that I'll always remember you.

When I first set out on the road, I figured
I had maybe 5 good years to sing my songs for you folks.
Well, it's goin on 30 now
And I still love it just as much as I ever did.
When I hear that announcer say my name,
And I walk through those curtains
And see your smilin' faces,
My feet don't touch the ground again
Til I walk out and get back on that bus that got me here.
I don't know how many more years I've got left to do this,
But I figure a few.
I do want you to know, though,
That when I do walk off this stage for the last time,
And I'm all settled in, away from all this,
You won't be far away.
I'll still hear your screams and cheers in my mind.
And I'll always remember you.

I'm not sayin I'm through by any means.
Cause there's still things that I want to say and do.
I hope you won't forget me, cause we've shared a lot dreams.
And just know that I'll always remember you.

You've pulled me through some hard times.
Hope I've pulled you through a few.
And just know that I'll always remember you.

- Dean Dillon, Bubba Strait, George Strait

If you leave me, I won't miss you,
And I won't ever take you back.
Girl, your mem'ry won't ever haunt me
'Cause I don't love you, and now if you'll buy that.

I got some ocean front property in Arizona.
From my front porch you can see the sea.
I got some ocean front property in Arizona.
If you'll buy that, I'll throw the golden gate in free.

I don't worship the ground you walk on.
I never have and that's a fact.
I won't follow or try to find you
'Cause I don't love you, and now if you'll buy that.

I got some ocean front property in Arizona.
From my front porch you can see the sea.
I got some ocean front property in Arizona.
If you'll buy that, I'll throw the golden gate in free.

Yeah, if you'll buy that I'll throw the golden gate in free.

- Dean Dillon, Hank Cochran, Royce Porter

I still feel twenty five,
Most of the time
I still raise a little cain with the boys
Honky tonks and pretty women
Lord I'm still right there with them
Singing above the crowd and the noise

Sometimes I feel like Jesse James,
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour,
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour,
When I'm gone

Well, the truth about a mirror,
It's that a damn old mirror
Don't really tell the whole truth,
It don't show what's deep inside
Oh read between the lines,
It's really no reflection of my youth

Sometimes I feel like Jesse James,
Still trying to make a name
Knowing nothings gonna change what I am
I was a young troubadour,
When I rode in on a song
And I'll be an old troubadour,
When I'm gone

- Leslie Satcher, Monty Holmes

All my ex's live in Texas
And Texas is the place I'd dearly love to be
But all my ex's live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee

Rosanna's down in Texarkana
Wanted me to push her broom
Sweet Eileen's in Abilene
She forgot I hung the moon

And Allison's in Galveston
Somehow lost her sanity
And Dimple's who now lives in Temple's
Got the law looking for me

All my ex's live in Texas
And Texas is the place I'd dearly love to be
But all my ex's live in Texas
And that's why I hang my hat in Tennessee

I remember that old Frio river
Where I learned to swim
And it brings to mind another time
Where I wore my welcome thin

By transcendental meditation
I go there each night
But I always come back to myself
Long before daylight

All my ex's live in Texas
And Texas is the place I'd dearly love to be
But all my ex's live in Texas
And therefore I reside in Tennessee

Some folks think I'm hidin'
It's been rumored that I died
But I'm alive and well in Tennessee

- Sanger D. Shafer, Linda J. Shafer

I knew the stakes were high right from the start.
When she dealt the cards, I bet my heart.
Now I just found a game that I can't play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

And my heart is sinking like the setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
It's time to say goodbye to yesterday.
This is where the cowboy rides away.

We've been in and out of love and in-between.
And now we play the final showdown scene.
As the credits roll a sad song starts to play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

And my heart is sinking like a setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I'd done.
Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

Oh the last goodbye's the hardest one to say.
This is where the cowboy rides away.

- Sonny Throckmorton