Released: November 5, 2002

Featuring: Matchbox Twenty

Songwriter: Ed Bruce Patsy Bruce

Producer: James Stroud

[Chorus: Matchbox Twenty]
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars and drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love

[Verse 1: Willie Nelson]
Cowboys ain't easy to love and they're harder to hold
They'd rather give you a song than diamonds or gold
Lonestar belt buckles and old faded Levis
And each night begins a new day
And if you don't understand him, and he don't die young
He'll probably just ride away

[Chorus: Matchbox Twenty & Willie Nelson]
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love

[Verse 2: Matchbox Twenty]
Cowboys like smoky old pool rooms and clear mountain mornings
Little warm puppies and children and girls of the night
Them that don't know him won't like him and them that do
Sometimes won't know how to take him
He ain't wrong, he's just different but his pride won't let him
Do things to make you think he's right

[Chorus: Matchbox Twenty & Willie Nelson]
Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be cowboys
Don't let 'em pick guitars or drive them old trucks
Make 'em be doctors and lawyers and such
Mamas, don't let your cowboys grow up to be babies
'Cause they'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love
They'll never stay home and they're always alone
Even with someone they love

Willie Nelson

Willie Hugh Nelson (April 29, 1933) is a singer-songwriter and musician. He was born in Abbott, TX and raised by his grandparents during the great Depression.

He achieved some success in the early 60’s as a crooner, a la Bobby Darin, but turned away from popular music to Country in the late 60s. His albums Shotgun Willie (1973), Red Headed Stranger (1975) and Stardust (1978) made him one of the most recognized artists in country music.

Nelson has released over 70 studio and live albums in his career, and still records and performs today.