Jessie went away last summer, a couple of months ago,
After all our time together it was hard to see her go.
She called me right up when she arrived, asked me one more time to come,
But livin’ on an L.A. freeway ain’t my kind of havin’ fun.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy. I think I’d rather ride the range.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy, then to lay me down in love and lady’s chains.
When we were just beginning it was such an easy way,
Layin’ back up in the mountains singin’ songs for sunny days.
But she got tired of pickin’ daisies and cookin’ my meals for me.
She can live the life she wants to, yes, and it’s all right with me.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy. I think I’d rather ride the range.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy, then to lay me down in love and lady’s chains.
I’d rather live on the side of a mountain than wander through canyons of concrete and steel.
I’d rather laugh with the rain and sunshine and lay down my sundown in some starry field.
Oh, but I miss her in the mornin’ when I awake alone
And the absence of her laughter is a cold and empty sound.
But her memory always makes me smile and I want you to know
I love her, yes, I love her just enough to let her go.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy. I think I’d rather ride the range.
I think I’d rather be a cowboy, then to lay me down in love and lady’s chains.
1973 – John Denver – Album: Farewell Andromeda