jimmy webb
Jimmy Webb is an easy recognizable composer. He has been recorded by artists from R.E.M. to Frank Sinatra. Playing piano and doing all arrangements himself, he has released several albums without significant success, and is best known as genious songwriter. This spooky song about a reincarnating outsider's soul was first recorded by himself for his album "El Mirage", released in May 1977. In 1985 it gave name to the outstanding group "The Highwaymen", the album "Highwayman" became a bestseller and the song earned Webb a Grammy Award for Best Country Song the following year. With only one highwayman still alive (Willy Nelson, now writing 2024), it's left to see if the prediction comes true: «I'll always be around...and around...». But it still takes only one to sing it.
I was a highwayman • along the coach roads I did ride
sword and pistol by my side
many a young maid lost her pobbles to my trade
many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade
the bastards hung me in the spring of 25
but I am still alive
I was a sailor • I was born upon the tide
with the sea I did abide
I sailed a schooner round the horn of Mexico
I went aloft and furled the main sail in a blow
and when the yard broke off they say that I got killed
but I am living still
I was a dam builder • across a river long and wide
where steel and water did collide
a place called Bolder on the wild Colorado
I slipped and fell on the wet concrete below
they buried me in that gray tomb that knows no sounds
but I am still around
...I'll always be around...and around...and around...and around...
I'll fly a starship across the universe divide
and when I reach the other side
I'll find a place to rest my spirit if I can
perhaps I may become a highwayman again
or I may simply be a single drop of rain
but I will remain
...and I'll be back again...and again...and again...and again...
For the following CHORD section, fullscreen/horizontal mobile is recommended.
Chords in brackets may be omitted.
Am G F G C I was a highwayman * along the coach roads I did ride C G sword and pistol by my side Am G Dm Am many a young maid lost her pobbles to my trade Am G Dm Am many a soldier shed his lifeblood on my blade Am C F G C the bastards hung me in the spring of 25 C G but I am still alive G C Em Am Em Dm G Am ...I'll always be around...and around...and around...and around...
