Released: 2020
‘Cowpoke’ by Colter Wall is a heartfelt portrayal of a cowboy’s solitary life, rich in themes of freedom, poverty, and the pursuit of happiness. It’s a classic cowboy song, painting a vivid picture of a wandering cowhand, living on the edges of society.
The song kicks off with the cowpoke expressing his conflicting emotions – he’s ‘lonesome, but happy’ and ‘rich, but broke’. This suggests that while he may be alone and financially poor, he’s rich in spirit and content with his life. ‘Cowpoke’ is a term for a cowboy, often used in a somewhat playful or affectionate manner.
The lyrics ‘From Cheyenne to Douglas, The ranges I know’ highlight the cowpoke’s nomadic lifestyle. He’s familiar with the vast expanses between Cheyenne and Douglas, two cities in Wyoming, a state known for its cowboy culture and rodeos.
The line ‘I drift with the wind, No one cares where I go’ underlines the cowpoke’s independence and the indifference of society towards his wanderings. His life is dictated by the wind’s direction, emphasizing his free-spirited nature.
The cowpoke’s financial struggles are further highlighted in ‘I ain’t got a dime, In these ol’ worn out jeans’. He’s so broke that he has to switch from eating steak to beans, a cheaper food option. Yet, he’s hopeful of earning some money in Prescott, a city in Arizona, by ‘Ridin’ the broncs, In the big rodeo’. ‘Broncs’ refers to bronco horses, known for their wild and untamed nature, often featured in rodeos.
In the final verse, the cowpoke dreams of finding a ‘filly’ or a young girl in springtime, possibly hinting at a desire for companionship. But he’s quick to assert that he’ll ‘never be branded, And never be broke’. He values his freedom above all else, refusing to be ‘branded’ or tied down, and vowing to never be ‘broke’ in spirit, despite his financial hardships.
In conclusion, ‘Cowpoke’ is a poignant exploration of the cowboy’s life, marked by solitude, financial struggles, and an unyielding spirit of freedom. It’s a tribute to those who choose a life less ordinary, living on their own terms, despite societal indifference and hardships.
