The song written by Ed Bruce & Patsy Bruce, was recorded for the first time by Ed, in October of 1975 for the label United Artist, produced by Chuck Haines & Patsy Bruce, arrived at the position number 15 of the country lists between the end of 1975 and early 1976. Chris Ledoux, also recorded for his album, Songbook of the American West (American Cowboy Songs 1976). But the most successful version was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, was released in January 1978 and included on the album, Waylon & Willie (RCA 1978). Arriving at number one on March 4, 1978, he remained 4 weeks in a row as number one.
The song was used as the main theme of the soundtrack of the film, The Cowboy Way, the version was recorded by Gibson / Miller Band, for the Epic label (1994), included on the album, Red, White And Blue Collar (Epic 1994).
Also, it has been used More recently, it is the main song of The Ranch of Netflix, a program on the ups and downs of a family of ranchers in Colorado.
Members of Western Writers of America chose the song as one of the 100 best Western songs of all time.
Story behind the song:
Ed Bruce got the inspiration for a song by Yankovic Dare (Weird Al, from the album Dare to Be Stupid). The song, a pastiche parody of the band Devo, dares the listener to participate in several “stupid” acts, including counting chickens before they hatch, selling wine ahead of time and letting “babies grow up to be cowboys”.
Here Ed remarks and warns mothers that they should not let their children become cowboys because of the hard and busy life of cowboy culture.
Chris Ledoux 1976 (American Cowboy Songs 1976)
Tommy West 1976 (Life song Records)
Waylon And Willie 1978 (RCA)
The Chipmunks & Jerry Reed 1981 (RCA)
Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee 1981 (Full Moon)
Wendell Adkins 1983 (Gilley’s Records )
Miquel Batlle Garriga
mbatllegarriga@gmail.com
Ed Bruce – Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys Lyrics
Mamas, don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don’t let ’em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make ’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
A cowboy ain’t easy to love and he’s harder to hold
He’d rather give you a song than silver or gold
Budwiser buckles and soft faded Wrangler’s
And each night begins a new day
If you can’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
Make ’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
A cowboy loves smoky ol’ pool rooms 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’s not wrong, he’s just different and 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
Make ’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
Make ’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
. But the most successful version was recorded by Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson, was released in January 1978 and included on the album, Waylon & Willie (RCA 1978). Arriving at number one on March 4, 1978, he remained 4 weeks in a row as number one.The song was used as the main theme of the soundtrack of the film, The Cowboy Way, the version was recorded by Gibson / Miller Band, for the Epic label (1994), included on the album, Red, White And Blue Collar (Epic 1994).Also, it has been used More recently, it is the main song of The Ranch of Netflix, a program on the ups and downs of a family of ranchers in Colorado.Members of Western Writers of America chose the song as one of the 100 best Western songs of all time.Ed Bruce got the inspiration for a song by Yankovic Dare (Weird Al, from the album Dare to Be Stupid). The song, a pastiche parody of the band Devo, dares the listener to participate in several “stupid” acts, including counting chickens before they hatch, selling wine ahead of time and letting “babies grow up to be cowboys”.Here Ed remarks and warns mothers that they should not let their children become cowboys because of the hard and busy life of cowboy culture.Some Versions:Chris Ledoux 1976 (American Cowboy Songs 1976)Tommy West 1976 (Life song Records)Waylon And Willie 1978 (RCA)The Chipmunks & Jerry Reed 1981 (RCA)Mickey Gilley & Johnny Lee 1981 (Full Moon)Wendell Adkins 1983 (Gilley’s Records )Troy Cassar-Daley & Adam Harvey 2013 (Sony Music)Adam Brand & the Outlaws 2016 (ABC Music)){kind=link}