“The Cowboy Rides Away” is a song written by Sonny Throckmorton and Casey Kelly, and recorded by George Strait. It was released in January 1985 as the second single from his album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind. It peaked at number 5 on the United States Billboard Hot Country Singles chart, and at number 3 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada. It is the song used by Strait to close out his performances.

From the album Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind
B-side “Any Old Time”
Released January 14, 1985
Recorded June 26, 1984
Genre Country
Length 3:20
Label MCA 52526
Songwriter(s) Sonny Throckmorton, Casey Kelly
Producer(s) Jimmy Bowen & George Strait

George Strait – The Cowboy Rides Away Lyrics

I knew the stakes were high right from the start.
When she dealt the cards, I bet my heart.
Now I just found a game that I can’t play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

[Chorus:]
And my heart is sinking like the setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I’d done.
It’s time to say goodbye to yesterday.
This is where the cowboy rides away.

We’ve been in and out of love and in-between.
And now we play the final showdown scene.
As the credits roll a sad song starts to play,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

[Chorus:]
And my heart is sinking like a setting sun,
Setting on the things I wish I’d done.
Oh the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say,
And this is where the cowboy rides away.

Oh the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say.
This is where the cowboy rides away.