“Big Iron” is a classic Western ballad performed by country music legend Marty Robbins. Released in 1959 as part of his album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” the song tells the tale of a deadly showdown between a notorious outlaw named Texas Red and a fearless Arizona Ranger known only as the “Big Iron” on his hip. Set in the Arizona desert, the song paints a vivid picture of the tense confrontation between the two men. Robbins’ rich baritone voice and dramatic storytelling capture the essence of the Old West, transporting listeners to a time of lawlessness and frontier justice.
The narrative builds suspense as Texas Red rides into the town of Agua Fria, where the ranger awaits him. Despite the outlaw’s reputation as a dangerous gunslinger, the ranger remains calm and confident, ready to face him in a duel. The showdown culminates in a swift exchange of gunfire, with the ranger emerging victorious thanks to his quick draw and steady aim.
“Big Iron” became one of Marty Robbins’ most popular and enduring songs, earning widespread acclaim from fans and critics alike. Its cinematic storytelling, catchy melody, and memorable chorus (“Big iron on his hip”) have solidified its status as a classic of the Western music genre.
Over the years, “Big Iron” has been covered by numerous artists and featured in various films, television shows, and video games, further cementing its place in popular culture. With its timeless appeal and evocative imagery, the song continues to captivate audiences and transport them to the rugged landscapes of the Wild West.
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Lyrics
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To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day Hardly spoke to folks around him, didn’t have too much to say No one dared to ask his business, no one dared to make a slip For the stranger there among them had a big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip
It was early in the morning when he rode into the town He came riding from the south side slowly lookin’ all around He’s an outlaw loose and running, came the whisper from each lip And he’s here to do some business with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip
In this town there lived an outlaw by the name of Texas Red Many men had tried to take him and that many men were dead He was vicious and a killer though a youth of 24 And the notches on his pistol numbered one and 19 more One and 19 more
Now the stranger started talking, made it plain to folks around Was an Arizona ranger, wouldn’t be too long in town He came here to take an outlaw back alive or maybe dead And he said it didn’t matter he was after Texas Red After Texas Red
Wasn’t long before the story was relayed to Texas Red But the outlaw didn’t worry men that tried before were dead 20 men had tried to take him, 20 men had made a slip 21 would be the ranger with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip
The morning passed so quickly, it was time for them to meet It was 20 past 11 when they walked out in the street Folks were watching from the windows, everybody held their breath They knew this handsome ranger was about to meet his death About to meet his death
There was 40 feet between them when they stopped to make their play And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today Texas Red had not cleared leather ‘fore a bullet fairly ripped And the ranger’s aim was deadly with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip
It was over in a moment and the folks had gathered round There before them lay the body of the outlaw on the ground Oh, he might have went on living but he made one fatal slip When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip Big iron, big iron When he tried to match the ranger with the big iron on his hip Big iron on his hip
