Kenny Rogers - Coward of the County (Lyrics)

Everyone considered him the coward of the county
He'd never stood one single time to prove the county wrong
His mama named him Tommy, but folks just called him yellow
Something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong

He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison
I looked after Tommy, 'cause he was my brother's son
I still recall the final words my brother said to Tommy
"Son, my life is over, but yours has just begun"

"Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done
Walk away from trouble if you can
It won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope you're old enough to understand
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man"

There's someone for everyone, and Tommy's love was Becky
In her arms, he didn't have to prove he was a man
One day while he was working, the Gatlin boys came calling
They took turns at Becky, n'there was three of them

Tommy opened up the door, and saw his Becky crying
The torn dress, the shattered look was more than he could stand
He reached above the fireplace, and took down his daddy's picture
As the tears fell on his daddy's face, he heard these words again

"Promise me, son, not to do the things I've done
Walk away from trouble if you can
Now, it won't mean you're weak if you turn the other cheek
I hope you're old enough to understand
Son, you don't have to fight to be a man"

The Gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the barroom
One of them got up and met him halfway 'cross the floor
When Tommy turned around they said, "hey look, old yeller's leaving"
But you could've heard a pin drop when Tommy stopped and locked the door

Twenty years of crawling was bottled up inside him
He wasn't holding nothin' back, he let 'em have it all
When Tommy left the barroom, not a Gatlin boy was standing
He said, "this one's for Becky, as he watched the last one fall

(And I heard him say) "I promised you, Dad, not to do the things you've done
I walk away from trouble when I can
Now please don't think I'm weak, I didn't turn the other cheek
And papa, I sure hope you understand
Sometimes you gotta fight when you're a man"

Everyone considered him the coward of the county

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[sheilapenaredondo]

This song always makes me cry. Played tonight with my 8 year old daughter and taught her the same lesson Tommy learned. This is one of my favorites.

[maureenkibathi]

To the parents who made us love country music 👏

[JaniceCarter-wslu]

Have a Blessed day everyone😌
Kenny⚘️

I always turn the other cheek..
Coward of the County🙋🏾‍♀️ Keep it pushing brothers and sisters💙💚

[erikbriangonzalez]

Who's here enjoying this song in June 2024?😊

[proudtrans]

To the kid who hate country music but know the lessons cause the parents knew they would make sense when we were older. To those parents who weren’t or couldn’t be there but knew we’d figure out or die. To the singers that helped us figure it out

[damiete]

I conclude Tommy IS the REAL MAN ....and so was his father and uncle who raised such a

[nhlakancube]

“If you can” if not just fight back for your way out 🤞🏽🤞🏽 my dad RiP man.. see you on the other side❤️❤️

[CatchYourWave]

Kenny's storytelling never ceases to captivate me. His songs make you go back in time. He's a genius.

[alanyostella]

I have one biological son and I love him so much, he is ten years old and I promise to teach him with this story line, i used to enjoy the rhythm because I didn't know about the lyrics.Thank God I know now.

[Paddleinc]

My uncle in Newfoundland played this in his dodge ram charger and helped raised me as a father figure when my parents split.
I will always remember what he did for me. He passed away last year and every time I hear this song it makes me think of those memories.

[tonyvaz]

Rest in peace Kenny Rogers.

Masterpiece from you

[annokoli]

Dad: Son, you don’t have to fight to be a man.
Son: Sometimes you got to fight when you’re a man 👌

[imeldabalenalogina]

I love this songs. Its reminds of my fathers patient. He always told me to be humble.
To be wise in decision making. Because we live only once in this world, and no one leave this life ALIVE.😊.

[adilaisakolivusosaulaki]

My dad got separated with my mum and when we went for a ride he would played this song over and over again to me and my sister! This song reminded us of our Dad, RIP Dad!

[alicekakingwe]

Nice song with good meaning hitra from 🇿🇲 Zambia

[Scorpio--znoo]

When l was in Salon for hair care this song was being played and l remember today search in Youtube and listened.Inspirational song with great lesson 🎉❤🎉 Kudos to all Dads and Sons❤

[naomi-xfql]

My dad went to be with the Lord and he loved this song.whenever I want to feel like he is still here, I listen to this song and imagine he's still here listening with me.continue RIP 👑

[pinkykorvah]

2023
Turning 23 next month.
Love this song since I was a kid but never understood it till I got older.
Just was feeling at my lowest and started singing this song and tears full my eyes 😢

[silaskipkoechlangat]

Nice song with enabling message to this generation

[tarastandifer]

This is one of my favorite songs of all time. It tells such a great story and has such a powerful lesson about what being a real man is all about. Pick and choose your battles well.