In regards to the meaning of this song:
Before a live performance on the EP Five Stories Falling, Geoff states “It’s about the last time I went to visit my grandmother in Columbus, and I saw that she was dying and it was the last time I was going to see her. It is about realizing how young you are, but how quickly you can go.”
That’s the thing about Geoff and his sublime poetry, you think it’s about one thing, but really it’s about something entirely different. But the lyrics are still universal and omnipresent, ubiquitous, even. So relatable. That’s one thing I love about this band. I also love their live performances, raw energy and Geoff’s beautiful, imperfectly perfect vocals. His voice soothes my aching soul.
Well I been a-ridin' shotgun on the Houston-Dallas stage
I got me a sawed-off hogleg, twenty is the number gauge
I'd shoot anybody that would try to stop this ride
A lot of outlaws tried it, a lot of outlaws died
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
I was sheriff down in Austin a long, long time ago
A hangin' judge was a-my best friend and he never let a poor soul go
I left that town for a better job a-ridin' on this stage
Shootin' outlaws with this gun is how I won my fame
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
You can ask anybody north of the Rio Grande
If they don't want no trouble, don't truck with the shotgun man
'Cause I got an itchy finger and I got an eagle's eye
I can spot a desperado with trail dust in my eyes
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
Well I been a-ridin' shotgun on the Houston-Dallas stage
I got me a sawed-off hogleg, twenty is the number gauge
I'd shoot anybody that would try to stop this ride
A lot of outlaws tried it, a lot of outlaws died
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
I got me a sawed-off hogleg, twenty is the number gauge
I'd shoot anybody that would try to stop this ride
A lot of outlaws tried it, a lot of outlaws died
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
I was sheriff down in Austin a long, long time ago
A hangin' judge was a-my best friend and he never let a poor soul go
I left that town for a better job a-ridin' on this stage
Shootin' outlaws with this gun is how I won my fame
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
You can ask anybody north of the Rio Grande
If they don't want no trouble, don't truck with the shotgun man
'Cause I got an itchy finger and I got an eagle's eye
I can spot a desperado with trail dust in my eyes
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
Well I been a-ridin' shotgun on the Houston-Dallas stage
I got me a sawed-off hogleg, twenty is the number gauge
I'd shoot anybody that would try to stop this ride
A lot of outlaws tried it, a lot of outlaws died
Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider, Shotgun rider
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Shotgun Rider Lyrics as written by Donald Winters Dennis Winters
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
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