About the song
“Highwayman” by Kris Kristofferson, released in 1985 as the title track of the album “Highwayman”, is one of the most iconic and enduring songs in country music history. The song is not just a highlight of Kristofferson’s solo career, but also a defining moment for the supergroup The Highwaymen, which included Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings. This song, with its haunting melody and poignant lyrics, captures the essence of country music’s storytelling tradition and its ability to reflect on themes of life, death, and the passage of time.
The track is a fascinating blend of country, folk, and Western influences, and its structure is part of what makes it so memorable. “Highwayman” is built around a narrative that spans multiple lifetimes. The song’s protagonist recounts his experiences through various incarnations—first as a highwayman (a robber), then as a sailor, a dam builder, and finally as a starship pilot. Each verse represents a different life and a different form of existence, yet all share the same core theme: the inevitability of death and the continuation of the soul across time. The song’s refrain, “I am a highwayman / Along the coach roads I did ride,” ties these various lives together, suggesting a continuous thread of identity that transcends the physical world.
Kris Kristofferson co-wrote this song with Jimmy Webb, who is best known for his work with artists like Glen Campbell and Richard Harris. The collaboration between Kristofferson’s poetic lyricism and Webb’s musical composition resulted in a song that is both epic and deeply personal. The sparse arrangement of the track, featuring the voices of Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings, along with its atmospheric production, creates a somber, reflective mood. Each voice adds a layer of gravitas to the song, making it feel like a musical journey through time and death.
Lyrically, “Highwayman” delves into profound themes of reincarnation, the cyclical nature of life, and the inevitability of fate. It explores the idea that while the human body may perish, the spirit lives on, undergoing transformation and reincarnation. This metaphysical theme resonated with listeners in the mid-1980s, a time when the country music scene was undergoing significant changes, and audiences were seeking songs that offered deeper emotional and philosophical exploration.
Released as a single, “Highwayman” became a major hit, reaching the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and becoming one of The Highwaymen’s most popular and enduring songs. Its success marked the beginning of the group’s brief but impactful career, which brought together four of the biggest names in country music. The song’s success also helped to solidify Kris Kristofferson’s status as one of the great songwriters of his generation, alongside other country legends like Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson.
The song’s cultural impact was profound. “Highwayman” tapped into the growing interest in existential themes that were part of the broader cultural conversation in the 1980s, when people were beginning to reflect more on the mysteries of life and death. The image of the highwayman—the lone figure traveling across vast, empty landscapes—struck a chord with the American imagination, resonating not just with country fans but with listeners across genres. The song also epitomized the ideals of the American West, evoking a sense of adventure, rugged individualism, and the timeless allure of the open road. In a sense, it became a metaphor for the country music genre itself—one that was rooted in tradition but unafraid to explore new, more complex ideas.
In terms of social influence, “Highwayman” was part of a larger movement in country music during the 1980s, as the genre began to embrace more diverse musical influences and address a wider range of themes. The Highwaymen’s collaborative effort brought together four legendary figures, making a powerful statement about the unity and diversity of country music. The song remains a classic, frequently covered by other artists and performed at country music gatherings and festivals. It continues to be a testament to Kris Kristofferson’s songwriting ability and his deep understanding of both the personal and universal human experience.
In conclusion, “Highwayman” is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences today. With its blend of country, folk, and philosophical musings on life and death, the song remains a testament to the talents of Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings. Its impact on country music cannot be overstated, as it helped shape the direction of the genre in the 1980s and beyond. Whether it’s the haunting lyrics, the iconic voices, or the deep sense of melancholy and reflection, “Highwayman” is a song that will forever be associated with the spirit of country music and the enduring power of storytelling.
Video
Lyrics
I was a highwaymanAlong the coach roads I did rideWith sword and pistol by my sideMany a young maid lost her baubles to my tradeMany a soldier shed his lifeblood on my bladeThe bastards hung me in the spring of ’25But I am still aliveI was a sailorI was born upon the tideWith the sea I did abideI sailed a schooner ’round the Horn to MexicoI went aloft to furl the mainsail in a blowAnd when the yards broke off they said that I got killedBut I am living stillI was a dam builderAcross the river deep and wideWhere steel and water did collideA place called Boulder on the wild ColoradoI slipped and fell into the wet concrete belowThey buried me in that great tomb that knows no soundBut I am still aroundI’ll always be around, and around and aroundAnd around and around and around and aroundI’ll fly a starshipAcross the Universe divideAnd when I reach the other sideI’ll find a place to rest my spirit if I canPerhaps I may become a highwayman againOr I may simply be a single drop of rainBut I will remainAnd I’ll come back again, and againAnd again and again and again and againAnd again