Vaquero
Riding into the Sunset: Unveiling the Symbolism in James McMurtry's Vaquero
Lyrics
I don't take the paper, I don't watch TV
I don't follow the news or watch television
I was out on the road when the word got to me
I was away from home when I received the message
Well goddamn, the text, couldn't I just have gone blind
An exclamation expressing frustration about receiving bad news
Heard your voice in my ear like I did in my mind
Recalling the voice of someone important, perhaps comforting or guiding
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
Se pone el sol
The sun is setting
Buen caballero viajando con Dios
Good knight traveling with God
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
No miramos atrás
We don't look back
Nos vamos al campo
We go to the countryside
Una vez mas, una vez mas
Once more, once more
Your chaps are still dusty from late summer's drouth
Referring to the dirt on the cowboy's leather leg coverings from a dry period
When the cedar turn rusty it's time to go south
When the cedar trees change color, it's time to head south
When your time is upon you, you don't always know
A realization that one's time is approaching, uncertain when it will happen
"Brinca la vida," Abuela nos dijo
"Jump into life," advice from the grandmother
"Brinca la vida," we learned long ago
Reflecting on the wisdom learned from the past
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
Se pone el sol
The sun is setting
Buen caballero viajando con Dios
Good knight traveling with God
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
No miramos atrás
We don't look back
Nos vamos al campo
We go to the countryside
Una vez mas, una vez mas
Once more, once more
So pour out the coffee and piss on the fire
Symbolic actions of ending routines, preparing for something imminent
I hear hounds in the distance, it's down to the wire
Sensing urgency, possibly danger approaching
Make for the cow camp, we might have a chance
Heading to a safe place, hoping for a chance
Vamonos por el campo en el campo we'll dance
Let's go to the countryside; there, we'll dance
Vamonos por el campo en el campo we'll dance
Reiteration of the idea of dancing in the countryside
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
Se pone el sol
The sun is setting
Buen caballero viajando con Dios
Good knight traveling with God
Mira vaquero
Look, cowboy
No miramos atrás
We don't look back
Nos vamos al campo
We go to the countryside
Una vez mas, una vez mas
Once more, once more
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