Jessie went away last summer, a couple of months ago After a long time together, it was hard to see her go She called me right up when she arrived, asked me one more time to come Livin' on an L.A. freeway ain't my kind of havin' fun I think I'd rather be a cowboy I think I'd rather ride the rain I think I'd rather be a cowboy Than the lady that I love in 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 the pin 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 rain I think I'd rather be a cowboy Than the lady that I love in 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 sunshine Than lay down my son down in some stormy field Oh, but I miss her in the morning when I awake at night 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 rain I think I'd rather be a cowboy Than the lady that I love in the lady's chains I think I'd rather be a cowboy I think I'd rather ride the rain I think I'd rather be a cowboy Than the lady that I love in the lady's chains I think I'd rather be a cowboy