About the song
Kenny Rogers’ “Coward of the County” is a compelling narrative song that showcases his storytelling prowess. Written by Roger Bowling and Billy Edd Wheeler, this song was released in November 1979 as the second single from Rogers’ multi-platinum album “Kenny.” The song quickly became a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart in early 1980 and No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, making it one of Rogers’ most successful crossover hits.
The song tells the story of Tommy, a young man whose father, on his deathbed, made him promise to avoid fighting and seek a peaceful life, thus earning him the nickname “Coward of the County.” Despite enduring bullying and ridicule for his perceived cowardice, Tommy adheres to his father’s wishes until a tragic event forces him to reconsider his stance on violence.
The poignant lyrics explore themes of honor, courage, and the struggle between upholding a promise and defending one’s loved ones. The narrative reaches a climax when Tommy’s beloved Becky is assaulted by the Gatlin boys, prompting Tommy to take a stand and defend her, ultimately proving his courage and vindicating himself in the eyes of the community.
Rogers’ emotive delivery and the song’s powerful storyline resonated deeply with listeners, helping it achieve significant commercial success. “Coward of the County” not only topped the charts in the United States but also reached No. 1 in Canada and the UK. Its success further solidified Rogers’ status as a leading figure in country music and a versatile artist capable of bridging the gap between country and pop genres.
In addition to its commercial success, “Coward of the County” also inspired a made-for-TV movie of the same name, starring Rogers himself, which aired in 1981. The film expanded on the song’s narrative, delving deeper into the characters and their motivations, and became a popular television event.
Kenny Rogers’ ability to convey deep emotion and tell a compelling story through song is brilliantly exemplified in “Coward of the County.” The song remains a beloved classic in Rogers’ extensive catalog and continues to be a poignant reminder of the complexities of courage and the human spirit.
Video
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
But 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
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”
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 an’ there was three of them
Tommy opened up the door and saw 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 his 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 bar room
One of them got up and met him half way cross the floor
When Tommy turned around they said, “Hey look! Old Yellow’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 nothing back, he let ’em have it all
When Tommy left the bar room, 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 should hope you understand
Sometimes you gotta fight when you’re a man”
Everyone considered him the coward of the county