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.
He prayed upon the bad ones so wide was spread his fame
From Houston up to Calgary the folks all knew his name
He was the toughest cowboy ever worked the rodeo
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
His wins were tremendous and the crowds would gather round
The whiskey flowed like water when his party came to town
It was the ramblin' life that he loved so
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
The sands of time were winnin' mighty Joe would not give in
Heavy was the toll he'd pay to lead his life of sin
At the big one down in Cheyenne he got throwed
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
A silence fell upon the crowd as Joe rose to his feet
At last there lived an outlaw might Joe could not defeat
And gone was all the glory he loved so
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
On the sidewalks of Milwaukee where the winter wind is cold
His noble spirit broken and his body weak and old
In the mornin' light they found him lyin' dead upon the snow
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
Take warnin' young cowboy turn back for its too late
Your sin will be recorded in that talley book of fate
You'll die and let the devil take your soul
Like this man that they call Oklahoma Joe
From Houston up to Calgary the folks all knew his name
He was the toughest cowboy ever worked the rodeo
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
His wins were tremendous and the crowds would gather round
The whiskey flowed like water when his party came to town
It was the ramblin' life that he loved so
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
The sands of time were winnin' mighty Joe would not give in
Heavy was the toll he'd pay to lead his life of sin
At the big one down in Cheyenne he got throwed
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
A silence fell upon the crowd as Joe rose to his feet
At last there lived an outlaw might Joe could not defeat
And gone was all the glory he loved so
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
On the sidewalks of Milwaukee where the winter wind is cold
His noble spirit broken and his body weak and old
In the mornin' light they found him lyin' dead upon the snow
This man that they call Oklahoma Joe
Take warnin' young cowboy turn back for its too late
Your sin will be recorded in that talley book of fate
You'll die and let the devil take your soul
Like this man that they call Oklahoma Joe
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
Oklahoma Joe Lyrics as written by Gil Milan
Lyrics © THE MARCO MUSIC GROUP, INC.
Lyrics powered by LyricFind
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