About the song
Marty Robbins’s “Big Iron” is a classic western narrative song that has left an indelible mark on the country music genre since its release in 1959. Written by Robbins himself, the song was featured prominently on his album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” which became a cornerstone of his career.
Marty Robbins, born in 1925 in Arizona, was not only a talented singer but also a skilled storyteller through his music. “Big Iron” exemplifies his ability to craft compelling stories set against the backdrop of the Old West, capturing the imaginations of listeners with its vivid imagery and evocative lyrics.
The song narrates the tale of a fearless Arizona Ranger who rides into the town of Agua Fria to confront an infamous outlaw named Texas Red. The narrative unfolds with suspense and drama, propelled by Robbins’s deep baritone vocals and the rhythmic strumming of acoustic guitars, transporting listeners to a bygone era of frontier justice and rugged landscapes.
Upon its release, “Big Iron” achieved notable success on the charts, reaching number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. Its popularity solidified Marty Robbins’s reputation as a pioneer of the western music genre, earning him acclaim not only among country music enthusiasts but also broader audiences captivated by tales of the Wild West.
“Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” the album that featured “Big Iron,” became a commercial success and a cultural touchstone. It showcased Robbins’s versatility as an artist who could seamlessly blend country music with storytelling elements that resonated deeply with listeners.
Decades later, “Big Iron” remains a beloved classic, celebrated for its narrative depth, melodic appeal, and Marty Robbins’s enduring influence on American music. The song continues to be a testament to Robbins’s storytelling prowess and his ability to capture the spirit of adventure and heroism in the American West, ensuring its place in the pantheon of timeless country music classics.
Video
Lyrics
To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day
Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say
No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip
For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town
He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around
He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip
And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red
Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead
He was vicious and a killer though a youth of 24
And the notches on his pistol numbered one and 19 more
One and 19 more
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around
Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town
He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead
And he said it didn’t matter he was after Texas Red
After Texas Red
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red
But the outlaw didn’t worry men that tried before were dead
20 men had tried to take him, 20 men had made a slip
21 would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet
It was 20 past 11 when they walked out in the street
Folks were watching from the windows, everybody held their breath
They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death
About to meet his death
There was 40 feet between them when they stopped to make their play
And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today
Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped
And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip
It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round
There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground
Oh, he might have went on living but he made one fatal slip
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip
Big iron, big iron
When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip
Big iron on his hip