Introduction
“The Highwayman: A Timeless Ballad of Love and Loss
“Highwayman,” released in 1985, stands as a landmark collaboration in country music, uniting four of the genre’s most iconic figures: Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson. Together, they formed the supergroup known as The Highwaymen, a name inspired by their rendition of the song “Highwayman.” This track, originally penned by Jimmy Webb in 1977, narrates the journey of a soul through various incarnations—a highwayman, a sailor, a dam builder, and a starship captain—each verse delivered by a different member of the quartet.
The song’s genesis is as compelling as its lyrics. Webb conceived “Highwayman” following a vivid dream, which he translated into a narrative exploring themes of mortality and rebirth. Initially recorded by Webb himself and later by Glen Campbell, the song found its most profound resonance when introduced to Cash, Nelson, Jennings, and Kristofferson during a collaborative project in the mid-1980s. Recognizing the song’s structure—four distinct verses aligning with their four unique voices—they embraced it, leading to the formation of The Highwaymen and the release of their debut album, also titled Highwayman.
The group’s rendition of “Highwayman” achieved significant acclaim, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and earning Webb a Grammy Award for Best Country Song in 1986. Beyond its commercial success, the song symbolized a unification of the outlaw country movement, showcasing the enduring artistry of its members. Their collaboration not only revitalized their individual careers but also left an indelible mark on the country music landscape, inspiring future generations of artists.
Video
Lyrics
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 twenty-five
But I am still alive.
I was a sailor. I was born upon the tide
And with the sea I did abide.
I sailed a schooner round 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.
I was a dam builder across the 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 great tomb that knows no sound
But I am still around.I’ll always be around.and around and around and
Around and around
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