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.
There was a man who owned a part of town
Approached me in his saloon and asked me to sit down
Was I unemployed or would I like a job
He said he owned the stage line and there were men who liked to rob
He offered me his daughter's hand, an advance of salary
A fancy gun, a pair of boots, and a share in the company
Now I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife
Shotgun rider, shotgun rider, shotgun
There were outlaws who waited on the trail
For the stagecoach daily run with payrolls and the mail
They spied our dust, and saddled up to ride
They saw the worried driver with me sittin' at his side
So they circled 'round the stagecoach it was their daily fun
Until they saw the driver smile and spied my trusty gun
We caught the outlaws and took them back to jail
Sent for the county marshal and would not post a bail
Sent 'em up the river.
That sure cleaned up the town
I was elected sheriff.
The mayor asked me down
I now own half the stage line and half the rest of town
I go to chuch on Sunday.
I think I've settled down
Approached me in his saloon and asked me to sit down
Was I unemployed or would I like a job
He said he owned the stage line and there were men who liked to rob
He offered me his daughter's hand, an advance of salary
A fancy gun, a pair of boots, and a share in the company
Now I ride shotgun on his stage line
I ride shotgun on his life
I ride shotgun on his money
I ride shotgun on his wife
Shotgun rider, shotgun rider, shotgun
There were outlaws who waited on the trail
For the stagecoach daily run with payrolls and the mail
They spied our dust, and saddled up to ride
They saw the worried driver with me sittin' at his side
So they circled 'round the stagecoach it was their daily fun
Until they saw the driver smile and spied my trusty gun
We caught the outlaws and took them back to jail
Sent for the county marshal and would not post a bail
Sent 'em up the river.
That sure cleaned up the town
I was elected sheriff.
The mayor asked me down
I now own half the stage line and half the rest of town
I go to chuch on Sunday.
I think I've settled down
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This is a pretty simple song to understand. He was a man from the old west and got highered as a stagecoach assistant, and this job made him one of the most powerful men in town. What a sweet and happy ending.
This is a pretty simple song to understand. He was a man from the old west and got highered as a stagecoach assistant, and this job made him one of the most powerful men in town. What a sweet and happy ending.