This song appears on six albums, and was first released on the Farewell Andromeda Album, and has also been released on the Changes, Country Classics, The Country Roads Collection and The Rocky Mountain Collection Albums. A live version also appears on The Best of John Denver Live Album.



Jesse went away last summer, a couple of months ago

After all our time together, it was hard to see her go

She called me right up when she arrived, asked me one more time to come

Or livin' on an LA freeway, Ain't my kinda havin' fun



I think I'd rather be a cowboy

I think I'd rather ride the reigns

I think I'd rather be a cowboy

Then to lay me down and love the lady's chains



We were just beginnin', it was such an easy way

Layin' back up in the mountains, makin' songs for summer days

She got tired of pickin' daisies, cookin' my meals for me

She can live the life she wants to, yes, it's alright with me



I think I'd rather be a cowboy

I think I'd rather ride the reigns

I think I'd rather be a cowboy

Then to lay me down and love the lady's chains



I'd rather live on the side of a mountain

Than wander through canyons of concrete and steel

I'd rather laugh with the rain and the sunshine

Then lay down my sun down in some starry field



Oh, but I miss her in the morning, when I awake alone

The absence of her laughter, is a cold and empty sound

But her memory always makes me smile, and I want you to know

I love her yes I love her, just enough to let her go



I think I'd rather be a cowboy

I think I'd rather ride the reigns

I think I'd rather be a cowboy

Then to lay me down and love the lady's chains



I think I'd rather be a cow