The Highwayman Lyrics
Alas he was the highwayman
The one that comes and goes
And only the highway-woman
Keeps up with the likes of those
And she in all her magic
With hands as quick as light
Took him to be a challenge
And went into the night
[Verse 2]
And he in all his glory
Was far ahead of her
But she was never sorry
For wishes that would burn
Enter competition
She chases beneath the moon
Her horse is like a dragonfly
She is just a fool
[Chorus]
And she wonders is this real
Or does she just want to be Queen
And he fights the way he feels
Is this the end of a dream
And then he sees her coming
Heartbeats on the wind
Considers slowing down
But then he could never win
And she out in the distance
Sees him against the sky
A pale and violent rider
A dream begun in wine
[Chorus]
And she wonders is this real
Or does she just want to be Queen
And he fights the way he feels
Is this the end of a dream
[Bridge]
A dream as the thunder wakes her
And her highwayman disappears
On a life already lived before
In eyes welled with tears
Today and still today they ride
Will they ever win
[Outro]
He the glory
She the love
And still they try again
He the glory
She the love
And still they try again
He the glory
She the love
And still they try again
About
Nicks wrote “The Highwayman” about The Eagles' Don Henley, whom she struck up a romance with in 1977.
“The Highwayman comes riding, riding and Bess, the lady at the inn is waiting, and she’s set up with a rifle that’s gonna go off as soon as he comes through the door, and she can hear the hoofbeats.
I mean, The Highwayman was the wonderful person that stole from the rich and gave to the poor, right? He was the romantic figure on the horse with the cape. Well, I paralleled that to today’s male rock and roll musician.
They’re all highwaymen. No other way to look at it. They steal from the rich and give to the poor sometimes. And they are that romantic on-the-road figure, you know? They could just as well be in coaches with seven black horses leading them.
That’s Don and I. I mean, we just try again, over and over. (…) And I see him riding against the moon on his horse just a black charger, you know, going away.”
Q&A
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning
- 1.Bella Donna
- 10.The Highwayman
