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Cowboy Romance Lyrics

It's a Saturday afternoon romance
between a cowboy and a fool
a drunken meet up
in a crude saloon
a poor Rocky Mountain town
he's a scoundrel and
she's no pearl
together they are two lovers cruel

got her balanced on his knee
he knows exactly what to say


"you ain't been born
til you get out of town
and honey,
you might come with me"

"if you do...
spare the innocent ones
I'll take you with me
together we will be drifters free"

got her tangled in his arm
she's a lusting, trusting fool


"no man born can rule me
that I've sworn
but stranger if you do
I'll belong to you"

"if you do...
would you spare the innocent ones
would you take me with you?
can you love the land
and love me too?"

as he grows sober
sees his love anew
in morning light so true
he gets on the move
on the move
Song Info
Submitted by
kevin On Jun 10, 2001
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3 Meanings

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Cover art for Cowboy Romance lyrics by Natalie Merchant

Very right on. Thats how I felt too.

Cover art for Cowboy Romance lyrics by Natalie Merchant

"Spare the innocent ones" refers to the fact that this not so innocent woman woman would like the younger women with soft exteriors to be left alone. She volunteers her experienced "been there done that" self.

"Spare the innocent ones" also gives the feel of an old west, cowboy, wandering feeling.

My Interpretation
Cover art for Cowboy Romance lyrics by Natalie Merchant

I love this song, although it is really about 2 pathetic white trash people from the old West. He's a drifter, and she's a tramp...add alcohol into the mix, and they are in love, or so they think...under the influence of alcohol, he says he might take her with him, and she wants to go too...she says she'll be all his if he takes her with him, and asks if he can be happy drifting, but drifting with her as company. Then, when he wakes up and realizes where he is and sees her as she really is (without the beer goggles on), takes off and leaves her behind...it's so realistic and pathetic, but Natalie sings it so well, it is really a beautiful song.