Texans are gathered up in Colorado
The kid with a fast gun ain't with them today
The cowboys are riding tall in the saddle
They shoot from the heart with the songs that they play
There's a right handsome woman on up around Boulder
They got slick hardwood floors and a pot belly stove
She swears I am someone she can believe in
She the best Colorado gal I've ever known
We are the cowboys the true sons of freedom
We are the men who will get the job done
We're picking our words so we won't have to eat them
We're rounding them up and then driving them home
Cowboys are average American people
Texicans mexicans black man and jews
They love this old world and they don't want to loose it
There counting on me and there counting on you
The world will breathe easy when we stop the bleeding
The fighting will end when all hunger is gone
There's those who are blind so will all have to lead them
It's everyones job till we get the work done
We are the cowboys the true sons of freedom
We are the men who will get the job done
We're picking our words so we won't have to eat them
We're rounding them up and then driving them home
We're rounding them up and then driving them home
We Are The Cowboys
We Are The Cowboys Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Released on June 19, 2020, Willie Nelson’s song “We Are The Cowboys” arrives with a sound that feels both weathered and resilient, much like the characters it portrays. This isn't a narrative telling a specific historical cowboy tale, but rather an exploration of a spirit – the spirit of facing life's challenging journeys together, head held high even when the path is rough. The song uses the iconic image of the cowboy not just as a figure from the range, but as a metaphor for anyone navigating uncertain times, symbolizing perseverance, a shared struggle, and the enduring strength found in community. It speaks to the human experience of moving forward despite difficulties, riding through whatever wilderness lies ahead alongside others who are doing the same.
Analyzing the song through a lens of faith, the cowboy journey depicted here resonates profoundly with the Christian walk. Life is often described in Scripture as a journey, a pilgrimage through a world filled with trials and unknown territory. We are called to be sojourners and exiles (1 Peter 2:11), people on the way to a promised land that is not of this world (Hebrews 11:13-16). The song's central idea, "We are the cowboys," beautifully captures the biblical truth that this journey is not meant to be undertaken alone. Just as the cowboys ride together, supporting one another on the trail, believers are part of the Body of Christ, called to bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2) and spur one another on towards love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24-25). The shared identity in the song reflects the unity we have in Christ, facing the storms and deserts of life side-by-side, finding strength in our collective faith and mutual support.
The imagery of riding through harsh conditions – the night, the storm, the desert – mirrors the biblical reality of suffering and trials being part of the Christian experience. James tells us to count it all joy when we meet trials of various kinds, because the testing of our faith produces steadfastness (James 1:2-4). The cowboys keep riding, not denying the difficulty but facing it head-on, leaning on each other. This echoes the call to endure patiently (Romans 12:12), knowing that our momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17). Even in the darkest valleys, Psalm 23 reminds us that we do not walk alone; God is with us, comforting and guiding. The song's steady rhythm and determined feel embody this spiritual endurance, the refusal to give up even when the way is hard.
Ultimately, "We Are The Cowboys" carries a message of enduring hope. The cowboys are riding towards something, perhaps just the dawn or greener pastures, but always moving forward. This reflects the hope that is central to Christian faith – the assurance of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). We press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14), looking forward to the new heavens and new earth where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). The song’s simple, resolute declaration captures the spirit of not growing weary in doing good, knowing that in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). It serves as an encouraging reminder that no matter the ruggedness of the path or the vastness of the wilderness we find ourselves in, we are not alone, and there is always a reason to keep riding towards the promise of a brighter day.
