About the song
“Big Iron” is a timeless country ballad that has captivated audiences for generations. Written and performed by the legendary Marty Robbins, this song has become an iconic representation of the American West. Originally released in 1959 as part of the album “Gunfighter Ballads and Trail Songs,” “Big Iron” tells the story of an Arizona Ranger’s duel with a notorious outlaw named Texas Red. The song’s narrative is set in the small town of Agua Fria, where the townspeople predict the Ranger’s demise. However, the Ranger’s exceptional marksmanship and the “big iron” gun prove to be too much for Texas Red, ultimately leading to his defeat.
The song’s success was immediate, reaching number 5 on the Billboard Country chart and number 26 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1960. The song’s popularity was not limited to its initial release, as it has continued to endure over the years. In 2010, the Western Writers of America voted “Big Iron” the 11th best Western song of all time, a testament to its enduring appeal.
In recent years, “Big Iron” has experienced a resurgence in popularity, thanks in part to its inclusion in the 2010 video game Fallout: New Vegas. The song’s inclusion on the in-game radio station helped introduce it to a new generation of fans, who have since created remixes and parodies that have spread like wildfire across the internet. With its rich storytelling, memorable melody, and iconic guitar riffs, “Big Iron” remains a beloved classic that continues to captivate audiences to this day.
Video
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
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