About the song
The self-titled debut album *Highwayman* marks a defining moment in country music, bringing together four of the genre’s most iconic figures: Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. Released in 1985 through Columbia Records, this album not only solidified The Highwaymen’s place in country music history but also emerged as their most successful project.
The inception of The Highwaymen was rooted in mutual respect and admiration among its members. Each artist had a significant impact on the country genre, and their collaboration was a natural progression of their shared musical journey. Johnny Cash, who had risen to prominence in the 1950s, had a close relationship with Waylon Jennings, having even shared an apartment during the late 1960s. During this period, Jennings and Nelson were disillusioned with the conventional recording practices in Nashville. Kris Kristofferson, known for his innovative approach to country songwriting, had already caught their attention with his fresh take on the genre. Cash’s cover of Kristofferson’s “Sunday Morning Coming Down” had been a major hit, helping to elevate Kristofferson’s profile.
By the mid-1980s, while Willie Nelson remained a dominant force on the charts, the careers of Cash, Jennings, and Kristofferson had somewhat waned. This prompted the idea of a collaborative project to reinvigorate their careers. As biographer Joe Nick Patoski notes, the formation of The Highwaymen was an attempt to leverage the collective strength of these legendary artists to regain their prominence in a changing musical landscape.
The concept of The Highwaymen was first realized during a Christmas special in Montreux, Switzerland, where the four musicians began to bond and exchange ideas. This initial spark led to the creation of the album *Highwayman*, recorded in Nashville under the production of Chips Moman. The album features ten tracks, including the standout title track “Highwayman,” a cover of Jimmy Webb’s song that topped the country charts. The album also includes “Desperados Waiting for a Train,” a cover of Guy Clark’s original, which also achieved significant success.
The recording sessions for *Highwayman* captured the unique blend of the four voices, which, despite their distinctiveness, came together with remarkable harmony. The production, while occasionally criticized for its over-production and incorporation of synthesizers, highlighted the nostalgic and powerful blend of country music that these artists could produce. Notably, the album features a version of “Big River” that includes a previously omitted verse sung by Jennings, and a poignant tribute to the late Steve Goodman with “The Twentieth Century Is Almost Over.”
*Highwayman* was initially credited to “Nelson, Jennings, Cash, Kristofferson” before the name “The Highwaymen” became widely recognized. The album’s success was evident through critical acclaim and commercial performance, setting a precedent for the group’s future endeavors. It remains a testament to the enduring appeal of its legendary members and their ability to blend their voices into a cohesive and impactful musical experience.
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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 borne 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 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
I’ll be back again and again and again and again and again and again