Dolly Parton

Released: May 2, 1983

Songwriter: Dolly Parton

Sometimes he gets crazy, as men are known to do
He'd lose his head in spite of everything he stands to lose
What is it in a man that makes him act like such a fool?
She swears she never knew, but always needed to

But stubborn pride is just the way of cowboys, I suppose
Even love can't change the things he ought to change the most
And it's pride that keeps him standing when he should be on his knees
Making apologies, but she loves him desperately

Oh but now and again, she wished he'd been a poet
So he'd know all the perfect lines to say
And have some great romantic way to show it
Be the hero riding up to save the day
And go riding high like a knight in shining armor
To sweep her up and carry her away
Oh but he don't have no magic ways to charm her
No, because even love can't change a cowboy's ways

"I love you" and "I'm sorry" are words that just don't come
Because words like that are no match for the kind that rule his tongue
But his eyes keep telling her "you know I love you anyway
No matter what I say, or what I never say"

Oh but now and again she wished he'd been a poet
So he'd know all the perfect lines to say
And have some great romantic way to show it
Be the hero riding up to save the day
And go riding high like a knight in shining armor
To sweep her up and carry her away
Oh but he don't have no magic ways to charm her
No, because even love can't change a cowboy's ways

His ways seem cold, but she knows he's much warmer
But even love can't change a cowboy's ways
He's just a fool that must defend his honor
But even love can't change a cowboy's ways

Dolly Rebecca Parton (born January 19, 1946) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, actress, author, and philanthropist, best known for her work in country music

Beginning her career as a child performer, Parton issued a few modestly successful singles from 1959 through the mid-1960s, showcasing her distinctive soprano voice. She came to greater prominence in 1967 as a featured performer on singer Porter Wagoner’s weekly television program; their first duet single, a cover of Tom Paxton’s “The Last Thing on My Mind”, was a top-ten hit on the country singles charts, and led to several successful albums before they ended their partnership in 1974. Moving towards mainstream pop music, Parton’s 1977 single “Here You Come Again” was a success on both the country and pop charts. A string of pop-country hits followed into the mid-1980s, the most successful being her 1981 hit 9 to 5" (from the film of the same name), and her 1983 duet with Kenny Rogers “Islands in the Stream”, both of which topped the U.S. pop and country singles charts. A pair of albums recorded with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris were among her later successes. In the late 1990s, Parton returned to classic country/bluegrass with a series of acclaimed recordings

more tracks from the album

Burlap & Satin

From the album

Burlap & Satin (1983)

Dolly Parton popular songs

A Cowboy’s WaysDolly Parton

Dolly Parton

Burlap & Satin