Johnny Cash’s Epic “The Last Gunfighter Ballad”

“The Last Gunfighter Ballad” is a country song by Johnny Cash. It was released in 1977 as part of his album of the same name, “The Last Gunfighter Ballad.” The song was written by Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt. Here’s some information about the song:

“The Last Gunfighter Ballad” is a narrative ballad that tells the story of a retired gunfighter reflecting on his past life and the changing times. The lyrics explore themes of regret, nostalgia, and the fading of the Old West. The chorus includes the lines: “There ain’t but one way out; that’s down, and I’ll be damned if I’ll be hangin’ around, / And like a bird I’ll fly, to the mountain in the sky.”

Johnny Cash’s deep, resonant voice and the stripped-down arrangement give the song a stark and contemplative feel. The narrative style of the lyrics is a hallmark of Cash’s storytelling tradition.

While “The Last Gunfighter Ballad” may not be as well-known as some of Johnny Cash’s more famous hits, it is appreciated for its evocative storytelling and Cash’s ability to convey a sense of history and character in his songs. The song captures the essence of the outlaw and cowboy mythology that often permeated Cash’s work.