Old Nashville Cowboys
Hank Williams Jr. · Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound [1979]
He was bent by his years and the fight with the wine
With a head full of music and an old nursery rhyme
A heart full of sadness and dark sunken nights
He told me, they've cheated, he told me they stole
The strength from his youth and the songs from his soul
He said he was family till he got too old
And he called them miners, mother lode finders
Digging so deep in search of more gold
Oh, where are the cowboys and the home on the range?
Does anyone know that they've killed Jesse James?
Now the good guys on TV seem bad, ain't it strange?
And the old Nashville cowboys missed out on the change
The old cowboy's life now is gone with the past
Like the whiskey he drank it all went down too fast
He didn't know how to make each swallow last
And the head waitress won't be back to fill up his glass
Oh, where are the cowboys and the home on the range?
Does anyone know that they've killed Jesse James?
Is anyone listening or is everyone blind?
Them old Nashville cowboys will sing for a dime
And hard times are cheap at the end of the line
Old Nashville Cowboys
Hank Williams Jr.'s 1979 track 'Old Nashville Cowboys' stands as a quintessential example of his outlaw country style, blending traditional country themes with a gritty, blues-inflected delivery. Recorded for the album *Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound*, the song reflects the artist's deep connection to the music of his father, Hank Williams, while establishing his own distinct voice. The recording captures the raw energy of the late 1970s Nashville scene, where Williams Jr. frequently explored the tension between rural life and the commercial music industry. With its characteristic twang and narrative focus on the struggles of the working class, the song remains a defining piece in his discography, showcasing his ability to craft anthems that resonate with the spirit of the American South.