☝️ Key Points
- The song tells the story of a mysterious red-haired stranger plagued by a lost love.
- It is warned not to provoke or control the red-haired stranger.
- A blond lady tries to steal the stranger's valuable horse and gets shot by him.
- The song addresses themes of revenge, loss, and protecting one's own values.
- It is advised to stay away from the red-haired stranger and hope he moves on.
Interpretation
"Red Headed Stranger" is a song by
Willie Nelson that tells the story of a mysterious red-haired stranger riding into a town in Montana. The stranger is accompanied by a wild black stallion, and behind him walks a brown horse.
The red-haired stranger has eyes like thunder, and his lips are sad and tightly pressed. In his heart, he carries the pain of his lost love who sleeps on the hill.
The song warns against provoking or controlling the red-haired stranger, as he is wild in his pain and hides away. It is advised to wait and hope that he will eventually ride on.
A blonde lady looks out from her window and watches the stranger. She is afraid of the black stallion, but she is greedy for the brown horse. However, she does not know that this horse is of invaluable worth to the stranger, as it was the horse of his lost love.
The lady encounters the stranger in a tavern, and he buys her a drink. She follows him as he saddles his horse and tries to steal the brown horse. But the stranger shoots her before she can warn him.
The blonde lady is buried at sunset, and the stranger walks away free. For a man cannot be punished for the death of a woman who tried to steal his horse.
The song ends with the warning to stay away from the red-haired stranger and his horses. It is advised not to provoke him and to hope that he will eventually ride on.
The lyrics of "Red Headed Stranger" tell an exciting story of revenge, loss, and protecting the things that are important to us. It is about how people act in difficult situations and the consequences that can have."