“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
You know how some moments in music just feel larger than life? That’s exactly what happened when Brooks & Dunn performed “The Cowboy Rides Away” at George Strait’s ACM Artist of the Decade All-Star Concert in 2009. It wasn’t just a tribute—it was a heartfelt salute to the King of Country himself, George Strait, by two of country music’s most iconic voices.
This song, originally recorded by George Strait, is one of those classic country anthems that pulls at your heartstrings while also making you feel the vastness of the American West. It’s about goodbyes, but it’s also about the journey—the kind of journey that cowboys have always symbolized, riding away into the sunset with their heads held high. When Brooks & Dunn took on this song during the tribute concert, they weren’t just covering a tune—they were honoring the legacy of a man who had shaped their own careers and the genre they both loved.
The performance was electric, full of reverence and respect, but also tinged with the bittersweet nature of the song itself. You could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices—they knew they were singing something special, not just to a crowd, but directly to George Strait. The energy in the arena was palpable; it wasn’t just a concert, it was a moment that encapsulated the spirit of country music—a blend of respect for tradition, the camaraderie of fellow artists, and a deep, abiding love for the music that has defined so many lives.
The lyrics of “The Cowboy Rides Away” have always carried a certain weight, speaking to the inevitability of change and the quiet dignity of moving on. But in this performance, those words took on an added layer of meaning. It wasn’t just about the cowboy anymore—it was about the legacy of an artist who had spent decades shaping the landscape of country music, and the passing of the torch to those who would continue to carry it forward.
If you watch the performance, you can’t help but feel a sense of awe. Brooks & Dunn brought their A-game, delivering a rendition that was both powerful and deeply moving. It was a perfect moment, a fitting tribute to a legend, and a reminder of why country music resonates so deeply with its fans—it’s about the stories, the journeys, and the people who live them.
Video
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
I knew the stakes were high right from the start
When she dealt the cards, I dealt my heart
I just found a game that I can’t play
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
[Verse 2]
We’ve been in and out of love and in-between
Now we play the final showdown scene
As the credits roll, a sad song starts to play
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
Last goodbye’s the hardest one to say
This is where the cowboy rides away
[Outro]
And the last goodbye’s the hardest one to say
This is where the cowboy rides away