Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson * Track #6 On Red Headed Stranger
Download "Red Headed Stranger"
Album Red Headed Stranger
- #1Time of the Preacher
Willie Nelson & Jody Payne
- #2I Couldn’t Believe It Was True
Willie Nelson
- #3Time of the Preacher Theme
Willie Nelson
- #4Blue Rock Montana / Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
- #5Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
Willie Nelson
- #6Red Headed Stranger
Willie Nelson
- #7Time of the Preacher Theme (v2)
Willie Nelson
- #8Just as I Am
Willie Nelson
- #9Denver
Willie Nelson
- #10O’er the Waves
Willie Nelson
- #11Down Yonder
Willie Nelson & Bobbie Nelson
- #12Can I Sleep in Your Arms
Willie Nelson
- #13Remember Me (When the Candlelights Are Gleaming)
Willie Nelson
- #14Hands on the Wheel
Willie Nelson
- #15Bandera
Willie Nelson
Red Headed Stranger by Willie Nelson
Release Date
Performed by
Willie NelsonProduced by
Willie NelsonWrited by
Edith Lindeman & Carl StutzAbout
The “Red Headed Stranger” completes of the story of the Stranger’s time in Montana. Nelson did not write the song, but it served as the basis for the rest of the album.
A song originally recorded in 1954 by Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith, Nelson had performed it in the 1950s while hosting a radio pro...
Red Headed Stranger Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The red-headed stranger from Blue Rock, Montana
Rode into town one day
And under his knees was a raging black stallion
And walking behind was a bay
The red-headed stranger had eyes like thunder
And his lips, they were sad and tight
His little lost love lay asleep on the hillside
And his heart was heavy as night
[Chorus]
Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait 'til tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again
[Verse 2]
A yellow-haired lady leaned out of her window
And watched as he passed her way
She drew back in fear at the sight of the stallion
But cast greedy eyes on the bay
But how could she know that this dancing bay pony
Meant more to him than life?
For this was the horse that his little lost darling
Had ridden when she was his wife
[Chorus]
Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again
[Verse 3]
The yellow-haired lady came down to the tavern
And looked up the stranger there
He bought her a drink and he gave her some money
He just didn't seem to care
She followed him out as he saddled his stallion
And laughed as she grabbed at the bay
He shot her so quick, they had no time to warn her
She never heard anyone say
[Chorus]
"Don't cross him, don't boss him
"He's wild in his sorrow
"He's riding and hiding his pain
"Don't fight him, don't spite him
"Just wait 'til tomorrow
"Maybe he'll ride on again"
[Verse 4]
The yellow-haired lady was buried at sunset
The stranger went free, of course
For you can't hang a man for killing a woman
Who's trying to steal your horse
This is the tale of the red headed stranger
And if he should pass your way
Stay out of the path of the raging black stallion
And don't lay a hand on the bay
[Chorus]
Don't cross him, don't boss him
He's wild in his sorrow
He's riding and hiding his pain
Don't fight him, don't spite him
Just wait till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again
Red Headed Stranger Q&A
Who wrote Red Headed Stranger's ?
Red Headed Stranger was written by Edith Lindeman & Carl Stutz.
Who produced Red Headed Stranger's ?
Red Headed Stranger was produced by Willie Nelson.
When did Willie Nelson release Red Headed Stranger?
Willie Nelson released Red Headed Stranger on Thu May 01 1975.
Was the yellow-haired lady really attempting to steal his horse?
No, she thought she was flirting with him. She followed him out of the saloon smiling and laughing. Touching the bay’s nose was subconscious – she really did want the horse and perhaps she thought he might just give it to her. After all, he bought her a drink; even gave her some money. Maybe he’d gi...