The song lyrics were written by the band Van Halen, as they were asked to write a song for the 1979 movie "Over the Edge" starring Matt Dillon. The movie (and the lyrics, although more obliquely) are about bored, rebellious youth with nothing better to do than get into trouble. If you see the movie, these lyrics will make more sense. It's a great movie if you grew up in the 70s/80s you'll definitely remember some of these characters from your own life. Fun fact, after writing the song, Van Halen decided not to let the movie use it.
One, two, three, four
Giddy up
Giddy up
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah is that your horse?
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Yeah
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten gallon hat
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten gallon hat
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah is that your hat?
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Yeah
Well I was walkin' down the street
With my shinin' badge
My spurs jinglin' down at my feet
I seen a man a comin'
Comin' with a gun
And I just can't be beat
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah are you the law?
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Yeah
Thank you
Thank you
Thanks a million
That's wonderful
Thanks an awful lot
Giddy up
Giddy up
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I ride a big white horse
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah is that your horse?
(He rides from Texas on a big white horse)
Yeah
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten gallon hat
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I wear a ten gallon hat
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah is that your hat?
(He rides from Texas with a ten gallon hat)
Yeah
Well I was walkin' down the street
With my shinin' badge
My spurs jinglin' down at my feet
I seen a man a comin'
Comin' with a gun
And I just can't be beat
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well I'm a long tall Texan
I enforce justice for the law
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Well people look at me and say
Hurrah hurrah are you the law?
(He rides from Texas to enforce the law)
Yeah
Thank you
Thank you
Thanks a million
That's wonderful
Thanks an awful lot
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