Well your mama finds it hard to understand
Why her lovin' son wants to be a rodeo man
And your daddy had a whole lotta great big plans for you
You hate to disappoint him but you got other things to do

Now your best girl thinks it's time you settle down
You finally graduated and she's ready for a weddin' gown
But there's a great big world just a-waitin' out there for you
And if she really loved ya she can wait another year or two

Chorus:
And nobody really knows how you feel inside
The road gets rough and the goin' gets tough but you know you've got to try
And there ain't no way they're ever gonna change your mind
Ah Don't everybody know, a cowboy's got to ride

[ guitar ]

Now your high school buddies say, "Man you've gone insane,
Don't you know rodeo's a crazy foolish game?"
But you can see in their eyes a little bit of jealousy
They'll all be workin' nine to five you're footloose and fancy free

Chorus

And nobody really knows how you feel inside
[ guitar]

And nobody really knows how you feel inside
The road gets rough and the goin' gets tough but you know you've got to try
And there ain't no way they're ever gonna change your mind
Ah Don't everybody know, a cowboys got to ride