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Credits

PERFORMING ARTISTS
Highwaymen
Highwaymen
Performer
Willie Nelson
Willie Nelson
Performer
Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
Performer
Waylon Jennings
Waylon Jennings
Performer
Kris Kristofferson
Kris Kristofferson
Performer
Reggie Young
Reggie Young
Guitar
J.R. Cobb
J.R. Cobb
Guitar
Bobby Emmons
Bobby Emmons
Keyboards
Bobby Wood
Bobby Wood
Keyboards
Danny Timms
Danny Timms
Keyboards
Mickey Raphael
Mickey Raphael
Harmonica
Robby Turner
Robby Turner
Steel Guitar
Mike Leech
Mike Leech
Bass
Gene Chrisman
Gene Chrisman
Drums
COMPOSITION & LYRICS
Patsy Bruce
Patsy Bruce
Songwriter
Ed Bruce
Ed Bruce
Songwriter
PRODUCTION & ENGINEERING
Chips Moman
Chips Moman
Producer
Tony Castle
Tony Castle
Mixing Engineer

Lyrics

Cowboys ain't easy to love, and they're harder to hold
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lone star belt buckles and old faded Levis
And each night begins a new day
And if you don't understand him, an' he don't die young
He'll prob'ly just ride away
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Cowboys like smokey old poolrooms and clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies, and children, and girls of the night
And them that don't know him won't like him and them that do
Sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong, he's just different, but 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 or drive them old trucks
Let 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
Written by: Ed Bruce, Patsy Bruce
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