Introduction
“Cowgirls Don’t Cry” is a heartfelt country ballad originally released by Brooks & Dunn in October 2008, serving as the fourth and final single from their tenth studio album Cowboy Town. Co-written by Ronnie Dunn and Terry McBride (of McBride & the Ride), the song weaves a narrative about a resilient woman navigating life’s challenges with quiet strength.
The song’s structure presents three emotional vignettes. In the opening verse, a young girl stumbles off her new pony yet refuses to cry. The second verse follows her as an adult discovering her husband’s infidelity, again demonstrating her steely resolve. The final verse centers on a phone call from her mother, sharing the news that her father is dying — even then, a gentle paternal voice urges, “Cowgirl, don’t cry.” This repeated refrain highlights the enduring courage displayed through everyday adversity .
Shortly after its original release, the duo re-recorded the track as a duet with country legend Reba McEntire, with the duet version hitting the charts in November 2008 . This collaboration proved transformative: Reba’s guest vocals added depth and nuance, especially during the final chorus — critics noted her performance as the standout moment of the revised cut . As a result, the duet soared to number 2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, also reaching number 44 on the all‑genre Hot 100 .
The recording garnered recognition at the 2009 Academy of Country Music Awards when Brooks & Dunn and McEntire were nominated for Vocal Event of the Year . Moreover, the trio’s live renditions—particularly during their mid-2010s Las Vegas concert residency—cemented the song’s status as a modern country anthem.
In under three and a half minutes, “Cowgirls Don’t Cry” captures both vulnerability and grit. It’s a celebration of emotional resilience, showing that emotions may surface, but true strength lies in carrying on — riding through the pain with unshakable resolve.
Video
Lyric
Her daddy gave her her first pony
Then taught her to ride
She climbed high in that saddle
Fell, I don’t know how many times
He taught her a lesson that she learned
Maybe a little too well
Cowgirls don’t cry
Ride, baby, ride
Lessons of life are gonna show you in time
Soon enough, you’re gonna know why
It’s gonna hurt every now and then
If you fall, get back on again
Cowgirls don’t cry
She grew up, she got married
It never was quite right
She wanted a house, a home and babies
He started comin’ home late at night
She didn’t let him see it break her heart
She didn’t let him see her fall apart
‘Cause cowgirls don’t cry
Ride, baby, ride
Lessons of life are gonna show you in time
Soon enough, you’re gonna know why
It’s gonna hurt every now and then
If you fall, get back on again
Cowgirls don’t cry
Phone rang early one morning
Her momma’s voice, she’d been crying
Said, “It’s your daddy, you need to come home
This is it, I think he’s dying”
She laid the phone down by his head
The last words that he said
Were, “Cowgirl, don’t cry
Ride, baby, ride
Lessons of life show us all in time
Too soon, God lets you know why
If you fall, get right back on
The good Lord calls everybody home
Cowgirl, don’t cry”