Big Iron | The Longest Johns

Written by Marty Robbins, but sung by many, Big Iron is a big favourite of ours. Many came to know it from the game Fallout, and we're thrilled to bring you our interpretation!

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The Longest Johns

Lyrics:
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

Well 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

[thomasoreilly]

This video conclusively proves that the swiftness of the ranger is in fact still talked about to this day.

[TheMusicOfMind]

"Truth is, the Johns were long from the start."

-Benny, definitely

[nickel-bolas]

You're listening to Radio New Vegas. I'm your host, Mister New Vegas, reminding you there's always someone who loves you. It's me. I love you. This next song goes out from me, to you. Enjoy.

[nathanharmon]

As an American, I can’t tell you how surreal it is hearing westerns sung in a British accent.

[UnlaunderedShirt]

My wife thought for the longest time that the "big iron" on his hip was like a tire iron, and now I can't imagine it any other way

[Nebula-wuqr]

Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a Nuclear winter!

In all seriousness, y'all did a fantastic job with this. I will definitely be listening to this on repeat for the next week.

[jennifermk]

To me, this cover feels like a poignant tale of caution, while the original feels like an exciting eyewitness account. I love when covers add a different narrative perspective. Both versions are beautiful.

[totollies]

"There was forty feet between them when they stopped to make their play"
"And the swiftness of the ranger is still talked about today"

Chills, every time.

[lukeburns]

"Texas red had not cleared leather" is one of those harmonies that sends you reeling what it comes around

[another-human_exe]

"...what in the goddamn?"

Never crossed my mind, Sea Shanty singers play a full Marty Robbins.

Like always, most adequate.

[iiCYRENii]

These men are magicians on their instruments, I've never heard anything bad come from their mouths, they're truly amazing, and their legacy will live on in many of us for a while ❤😊

[Sewblon]

The original really makes you feel the enormity and finality of taking a life, like the singer saw the shooting and is still traumatized by it. This version sounds more relaxed, like the singer's son or grandson is singing it as a way of honoring his ancestors and their way of life.

[jwleon]

Marty Robbins is smiling from the great beyond right now. :)

[MyrKeys]

I do love it when you guys do American folk music, it sounds awesome.
I also play this song on my banjo a lot, but I play it completely differently! That's also very fun to see.

[YOGI-kbtg]

Patrolling the Mojave Almost Makes You Wish For a Nuclear Winter

[kobayashi.official]

I'm always amazed with the way that Andy doesn't look like his hands are doing much but he makes that banjo sing like no other! In fact everyone always looks so comfortable with their instruments as if playing them is no different then twiddling their thumbs! Amazing job as always, lads!

[Samssoft]

The longest johns and big iron was a cover no one expected but nobody knew they needed

[artyomsaveli]

Oh my sweet sarsaparilla stars, this is beautiful.

[AenesidemusOZ]

Haven't heard this since I was a pre-teen — and that was near 60 years ago! Well done, boys. Brought a smile to this old face 🙂

[josecarioca]

Pirating in the caribbean almost makes you wish for the North Sea winter