The Red Headed Stranger
Arthur Smith (Country) * Track #12 On Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith With The Crackerjacks
Download "The Red Headed Stranger"
Album Arthur “Guitar Boogie” Smith With The Crackerjacks
- #1Cotton Patch Rag
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #2
Five Foot Two Eyes Of Blue (Has Anybody Seen My Girl)Arthur Smith (Country)
- #3Texas Hop
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #4The Red Headed Stranger
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #5Alabama Jubilee
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #6Feudin’ Banjos
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #7Half Moon
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #8Three D Boogie
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #9Blue Rock
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #10Buzz Saw
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #11Outboard
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #12Banjo Buster
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #13Freeze It Boogie
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #14Two Stamps Calypso
Arthur Smith (Country)
- #15Guitar Bustin’
Arthur Smith (Country)
The Red Headed Stranger by Arthur Smith (Country)
Release Date
Performed by
Arthur Smith (Country)About
“Red Headed Stranger” was first written for Perry Como, who declined to record it due to a publishing dispute. The most famous version now belongs to Willie Nelson, who made it the title track of one of his most acclaimed albums.
The 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 the 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 till tomorrow
Maybe he'll ride on again
[Verse 2]
A yellow-haired lady leaned out of her window
An' 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 till 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
The Red Headed Stranger Q&A
Who wrote The Red Headed Stranger's ?
The Red Headed Stranger was written by Carl Stutz & Edith Lindeman.
When did Arthur Smith (Country) release The Red Headed Stranger?
Arthur Smith (Country) released The Red Headed Stranger on Tue Jun 01 1954.