And he was born in the city
He taught high school history
His thoughts drift to the past
Stories of yesterday
Tales of the western way
Slowly grew wings with his plans
Until he left that brick prison that some folks call school
With a second hand pack and a sign
Working with carnivals
Ten shows and gambling halls
He blew it all to get high
And he's a high hand with the ladies and a hell raiser too
He lives in the world that he most wanted to
Oh, he wanted to be a rodeo rider
Silver trim saddles shine for the crowd
He'll end all his days ridin' fence in Montana
On the high ground his dreamin' gets done
He sings oh, all my life, oh my life
Year after year he'd go follow the spurs
Rope 'em off, drawn to candle flame light
Year after year he'd go follow that road
And he'll be too old to ride
Twelve years after college he's got nothin' to show
That paper just hangs on the wall
Oh, he wanted to be a rodeo rider
Silver trim saddles shine for the crowd
He'll end all his days ridin' fence in Montana
On the high ground his dreamin' gets done
He sings oh, all my life, oh my life
Last year in Santa Fe he took up his final pay
And took everything except his pride
Busted up, bruised and spent, old bones too tired to mend
Dimmed all the lights in his eyes
He and his lady gonna move to Montana
Build them a home on a big sky ranch
Oh, he wanted to be a rodeo rider
Silver trim saddles shine for the crowd
He'll end all his days ridin' fence in Montana
On the high ground his dreamin' gets done
He sings oh, all my life, oh my life