About the song
“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” is a classic country song penned by Ed Bruce and his wife, Patsy Bruce. First recorded by Ed Bruce, it appeared on his self-titled album in 1976. The song, which cautions mothers against encouraging their children to pursue the rough life of a cowboy, gained notable attention, reaching number 15 on the Hot Country Singles charts.
The song gained further acclaim when Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson covered it for their 1978 duet album *Waylon & Willie*. Their rendition became a massive hit, topping the country charts for four weeks and reaching number 42 on the Billboard Hot 100. It earned them the Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1979. The song also featured in the film *The Electric Horseman*, starring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda, and was later used in a 2015 Volkswagen Passat commercial.
In 2024, Rolling Stone ranked the song at number 69 on its list of the 200 Greatest Country Songs of All Time. The Western Writers of America also included it in their Top 100 Western Songs list, highlighting its lasting impact on the genre.
The song’s influence continued with a cover by the Gibson/Miller Band in 1994. This version, featured on their album *Red, White and Blue Collar*, peaked at number 49 on the Hot Country Songs chart and appeared in the soundtrack for *The Cowboy Way*.
Overall, “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” remains a significant part of country music history, celebrated for its memorable melody and poignant lyrics that resonate with audiences.
Video
Lyrics
Cowboys ain’t easy to love, and they’re harder to hold
They’d rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lone star belt buckles and old faded Levi’s
And each night begins a new day
If you don’t understand him, and he don’t die young
He’ll probably just ride away
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars, and drive them old trucks
Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
‘Cause they’ll never stay home, and they’re always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smokey old poolrooms, and clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies, and children and girls of the night
Them that don’t know him won’t like him
And them that do, sometimes won’t know how to take him
He ain’t wrong, he’s just different
But his pride won’t let him do things to make you think he’s right
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars, and drive them old trucks
Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
‘Cause they’ll never stay home, and they’re always alone
Even with someone they love
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars, and drive them old trucks
Let ’em be doctors and lawyers and such…