The Highwaymen – A Boy Named Sue

About the song

The Highwaymen’s rendition of “A Boy Named Sue” is a testament to the enduring power of this iconic country song. Originally written and performed by Johnny Cash, the song has been covered by countless artists over the years. However, The Highwaymen’s version, released in 1990 on their acclaimed album “The Road Goes On Forever”, stands out as a particularly noteworthy interpretation.

Comprised of the legendary quartet of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Kris Kristofferson, The Highwaymen brought a unique blend of styles and experiences to their music. Each member was a seasoned veteran of the country music scene, with decades of hits under their belts. Their collaboration on “A Boy Named Sue” resulted in a performance that was both familiar and fresh.

The original version of “A Boy Named Sue,” recorded by Johnny Cash in 1969, was a groundbreaking hit. Its humorous yet poignant lyrics and Cash’s distinctive baritone voice combined to create a timeless classic. The Highwaymen’s version pays homage to the original while adding their own distinctive flavor. The harmonies are rich and full, and each member’s individual style shines through.

While their version of “A Boy Named Sue” may not have achieved the same chart-topping success as Cash’s original, it has undoubtedly left its mark on country music history. The song’s enduring popularity is a testament to the Highwaymen’s ability to breathe new life into classic material.

For fans of country music, The Highwaymen’s version of “A Boy Named Sue” is a must-listen. It is a delightful and entertaining performance that showcases the incredible talents of these legendary musicians.

Video

Lyrics

I want you to uh, I want to a,
If you don’t mind Carl, I’d like you to stay out and help us on some songs
I’d love to
One of the greatest guitar players as well as song writers and singers in Memphis
Appreciate a little help on guitar, alright. Thank you Carl

Well,my daddy left home when I was three
And he didn’t leave much to ma and me
Just this old guitar and an empty bottle of booze
Now, I don’t blame him cause he run and hid
But the meanest thing that he ever did
Was before he left, he went and named me Sue

Well, he must o’ thought that is quite a joke
And it got a lot of laughs from a’ lots of folk
It seems I had to fight my whole life through
Some gal would giggle and I’d get red
And some guy’d laugh and I’d bust his head,
I tell ya, life ain’t easy for a boy named Sue

Well, I grew up quick and I grew up mean
My fist got hard and my wits got keen
I’d roam from town to town to hide my shame
But I made a vow to the moon and stars
That I’d search the honky-tonks and bars
And kill that man who gave me that awful name

Well, it was Gatlinburg in mid-July
And I just hit town and my throat was dry
I thought I’d stop and have myself a brew
At an old saloon on a street of mud
There at a table, dealing stud
Sat the dirty, mangy dog that named me Sue

Well, I knew that snake was my own sweet dad
From a worn-out picture that my mother’d had
And I knew that scar on his cheek and his evil eye
He was big and bent and gray and old
And I looked at him and my blood ran cold
And I said, “My name is Sue, how do you do
Now you’re gonna die”

(yeah, that’s what I told him)

Well, I hit him hard right between the eyes
And he went down, but to my surprise
He come up with a knife and cut off a piece of my ear
But I busted a chair right across his teeth
And we crashed through the wall and into the street
Kicking and a’ gouging in the mud and the blood and the beer

I tell ya, I’ve fought tougher men
But I really can’t remember when
He kicked like a mule and he bit like a crocodile
I heard him laugh and then I heard him cuss
He went for his gun and I pulled mine first
He stood there lookin’ at me and I saw him smile

And he said, “Son, this world is rough
And if a man’s gonna make it, he’s gotta be tough
And I knew I wouldn’t be there to help ya along
So I give ya that name and I said goodbye
I knew you’d have to get tough or die
And it’s the name that helped to make you strong”

He said, “Now you just fought one hell of a fight
And I know you hate me, and you got the right
To kill me now, and I wouldn’t blame you if you do
But ya ought to thank me, before I die
For the gravel in ya guts and the spit in ya eye
‘Cause I’m the son-of-a-bitch that named you Sue”

Well what could I do? What could I do?
I got all choked up and I threw down my gun
And I called him my Pa, and he called me his son
And I came away with a different point of view
And I think about him, now and then
Every time I try and every time I win
And if I ever have a son, I think I’m gonna name him..
Bill or George! Any-damn-thing but Sue!

Alright, thank you very much