Introduction
“Born and Raised in Black and White” is a poignant song by The Highwaymen, the renowned country music supergroup comprising Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson. Featured on their 1990 album Highwayman 2, the song delves into the divergent paths of two brothers—one becoming a preacher and the other a convicted murderer—highlighting themes of fate, choice, and morality.
Penned by Don Cook and John Barlow Jarvis, the track showcases Waylon Jennings on lead vocals. While it didn’t chart on the main Hot Country Songs, it notably reached number one on Billboard’s Country Radio Breakouts chart, reflecting its resonance with audiences.
The Highwaymen, formed in 1985, brought together four iconic artists who had each significantly influenced the outlaw country subgenre. Their collaboration resulted in three major albums between 1985 and 1995, with “Born and Raised in Black and White” standing out as a testament to their collective storytelling prowess.
The song’s narrative power has inspired other artists as well. Mark Collie covered it in 1991 for his album Born and Raised in Black & White, and Brooks & Dunn included their rendition on the 1998 album If You See Her, marking the first time both members shared lead vocals on a track.
“Born and Raised in Black and White” remains a compelling exploration of contrasting life choices and the complexities of human nature, underscored by The Highwaymen’s evocative performance.
Video
Lyrics
The wind blows hard across the Texas plains
Makes some people go insane
While others quietly pray for rain
That’s where we came from
Two boys playin’ in the burnin’ sun
One with books, one with guns
Mama calls but just one comes
The other one runs
With a Christian sense of wrong and right
We were born and raised in black and white
One learned to pray, one loved to fight
We were born and raised in black and white
We were born and raised in black and white
Brother took to the gospel road
Spent his whole live saving souls
When he looked at me, his blood ran cold
He didn’t even try
I had no dreams, I had no plans
But a gun felt good in my right hand
The warden asked, “How come you killed that man?”
I said, “I don’t know why”
“Welcome home, ” said the hot moonlight
We were born and raised in black and white
One lives to pray, one prays for life
We were born and raised in black and white
We were born and raised in black and white
Someone handed me a cigarette
They offered me my last request
I asked my mortal soul be blessed
By someone close to me
He came to me with trembling hands
He swore he’d never understand
I said it’s just what life had planned
It’s destiny
Don’t waste your tears on me tonight
We were born and raised in black and white
I chose the dark, you chased the light
We were born and raised in black and white
We were born and raised in black and white
The wind blows hard across the Texas plains
Makes some people go insane
While others quietly pray for rain