Jessie went away last summer a couple of months ago
After all our time together it was hard to see her go
She called me right up when she arrived asked me one more time to come
Living on a L.A. freeway ain't my kind of having fun

[Chorus]
I think I'd rather be a cowboy
I think I'd rather ride the range
I think I'd rather be a cowboy
Than to lay me down in love and lady's chains.

When we were just beginning it was such an easy way
Layin' back up in the mountains singin' songs for sunny days
But she got tired of pickin' daisies and cooking my meals for me
She can live the life she wants to, yes, and it's all right with me

[Chorus]

I'd rather live on the side of the mountains
Than wander though canyons of concrete and steel
I'd rather laugh with the rain and the sunshine
And lay down my sundown in some starry field

Oh, but I miss her in the mornin' when I awake alone
And 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

[Chorus: x2]

Copyright: Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Writer(s): JOHN DENVER