Red Headed Stranger

About Red Headed Stranger

Red Headed Stranger is a song written by Edith Lindeman and Carl Stutz, published in 1953. Originally written for Perry Como, the song was not recorded by him due to publishing issues. In 1954, Arthur "Guitar Boogie" Smith released a version of the song on MGM Records that received good radio play. Country singer-songwriter Willie Nelson performed the song at the time of its original release for children at bedtime on his show, The Western Express. In 1974, inspired by his then-wife Connie Koepke, he wrote the concept album Red Headed Stranger based on the song. Members of the Western Writers of America chose it as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. more »

Year:

1999

3:59

57 Views

Playlists:

#2

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

The red headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana
Rode into town one day
And under his knees was a ragin' black stallion
And walkin' behind was a bay

The red headed stranger had eyes like the thunder
And his lips, they were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as night

Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's ridin' an' hidin' his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

A yellow haired lady leaned out of her window
An' watched as he passed her way
She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion
But cast greedy eyes on the bay

But how could she know that this dancin' bay pony
Meant more to him than life
For this was the horse that his little lost darlin'
Had ridden when she was his wife

Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's ridin' an' hidin' his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

The yellow haired lady came down to the tavern
An' looked up the stranger there
He bought her a drink, an' he gave her some money
He just didn't seem to care

She followed him out as he saddled his stallion
An' laughed as she grabbed at the bay
He shot her so quick, they had no time to warn her
She never heard anyone say

Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's ridin' an' hidin' his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

The yellow haired lady was buried at sunset
The stranger went free, of course
For you can't hang a man for killin' a woman
Who's tryin' to steal your horse

This is the tale of the red headed stranger
And if he should pass your way
Stay out of the path of the ragin' black stallion
And don't lay a hand on the bay

Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's ridin' an' hidin' his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again

 Watch: New Singing Lesson Videos Can Make Anyone A Great Singer

Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson (pronounced /wɪli nɛlsən /; born April 30, 1933) is an American country music singer-songwriter, as well as an author, poet, actor, and activist. The critical success of the album Shotgun Willie (1973), combined with the critical and commercial success of Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978), made Nelson one of the most recognized artists in country music. He was one of the main figures of outlaw country, a subgenre of country music that developed at the end of the 1960s as a reaction to the conservative restrictions of the Nashville sound. Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in activism for the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. more »

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