“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.”
Introduction
There’s something timeless about the open road. The promise of adventure, freedom, and endless horizons—an eternal American theme. This sense of boundless possibility is perfectly captured by The Road Goes On Forever, a song that seems to embody not just the journey, but also the soul of the legends behind it—The Highwaymen. Whether you’re behind the wheel on a long stretch of highway or simply daydreaming about far-off places, this song carries the spirit of the road and everything it represents.
About The Composition
- Title: The Road Goes On Forever
- Composer: Robert Earl Keen
- Premiere Date: 1995 (as part of The Road Goes On Forever album)
- Album/Opus/Collection: The Road Goes On Forever (The Highwaymen’s third and final album)
- Genre: Country, Outlaw Country
Background
The Road Goes On Forever is the title track of The Highwaymen’s final album, released in 1995. Written by Texas singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen, the song was first recorded by him in 1989 before gaining a new life through The Highwaymen. The supergroup, composed of country music giants Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, brought a collective gravitas to Keen’s song. By the time they recorded The Road Goes On Forever, they were already celebrated legends, and this track became symbolic of both their careers and the unbroken journey of life, fame, and music.
Musical Style
Musically, The Road Goes On Forever sticks to a straightforward outlaw country structure, emphasizing storytelling and narrative-driven lyrics. Its instrumentation is classic country, with acoustic guitar, steady drums, and the twang of electric guitar riffs underscoring the rebellious and reflective tone of the song. What makes it special, however, is how each of The Highwaymen’s iconic voices adds a layer of depth to the track, making it a song about endurance—both for the characters in the story and for the performers themselves.
Lyrics/Libretto
The song tells the story of two outlaws, Sherry and Sonny, and their ill-fated love affair, punctuated by crime and inevitable tragedy. Sonny is a drifter, a symbol of the aimless yet determined spirit of the road. The lyrics paint a picture of their fast, reckless lives, always on the run but destined to crash. The line “The road goes on forever and the party never ends” reflects the unrelenting pace of life on the margins. It’s a bittersweet anthem, full of hope and heartache, fitting for the twilight of The Highwaymen’s career.
Performance History
When The Highwaymen performed The Road Goes On Forever, they imbued it with their collective experience as country music’s elder statesmen. The song became one of their signature tracks in later tours, celebrated by fans who viewed it as a testament to their enduring legacy. While the group itself did not perform many new songs after this album, this track was always met with cheers, especially given its prophetic lyrics about the party never ending.
Cultural Impact
While The Road Goes On Forever may not have achieved the same mainstream popularity as some other Highwaymen songs, its cultural impact lies in how perfectly it sums up the ethos of the band. It represents freedom, rebellion, and living life without regrets—values central to both country music and the outlaw persona that the group embodied. The song has also been covered by numerous artists, showing its lasting influence in both country and folk circles.
Legacy
The legacy of The Road Goes On Forever is tied to The Highwaymen themselves. As the title of their last album, it’s a fitting close to a chapter in country music history while also leaving the door open—symbolically, at least—for the idea that their music and influence will continue to journey on. Even today, the song resonates with fans who see it as more than just a narrative of two outlaws, but as a reflection on the nature of life itself: unpredictable, relentless, and full of stories worth telling.
Conclusion
The Road Goes On Forever is not just a song—it’s a journey. It’s a tale of love, loss, and rebellion, wrapped up in the grit of the outlaw country sound. The Highwaymen, with all their wisdom and experience, made it their own, turning it into a powerful anthem of resilience and reflection. If you haven’t heard it yet, I encourage you to take a listen, preferably while on a long drive. As the road stretches out in front of you, the song will echo that same sense of limitless possibility and the enduring truth that, indeed, the road goes on forever.
Video
Lyrics
Sherry was a waitress
At the only joint in town
She had a reputation
As a girl who’d been around
Down main street after midnight
Brand new pack of cigs
A fresh one hanging from her lips
A beer between her legs
She’d ride down to the river
And meet with all her friends
The road goes on forever
And the party never ends
Sonny was a loner
Bolder than the rest
He was goin’ in the Navy
But he couldn’t pass the test
So he hung around town
He sold a little pot
The law caught wind of Sonny
One day he got caught
But he was back in business
When they set him free again
Sonny’s playin’ eight ball
At the joint where Sherry works
When some drunken out of towner
Put his hand up Sherry’s skirt
Sonny took his pool cue
Laid the drunk out on the floor
Stuffed a dollar in her tip jar
Walked on out the door
She’s runnin’ right behind him
Reachin’ for his hand
They jumped into his pick-u
Sonny jammed her down in gear
Sonny looked at Sherry
Said, “Let’s get out of here
The stars were high above them
The moon was in the east
The sun was setting on them
When they reached Miami Beach
They got a motel by the water
And a quart of Bombay Gin
They soon ran out of money
But Sonny knew a man
Who knew some Cuban refugees
Who dealt in contreband
Sonny met the Cuban
In a house just off the route
With a briefcase full of money
And a pistol in his boot
The cards were on the table
When the law came bustin’ in
The Cubans grabbed the goodies
And Sonny grabbed the jack
He broke the bathroom window
And climbed on out the back
Sherry drove the pick-up
Through the alley on the side
Where the lawman tackled Sonny
And was reading him his rights
She stepped out in the alley
With a single shot four-te
They left the lawman dyin’
They made their get away
Got back to the motel
Just before the break of day
Sonny gave her all the money
And he blew a little kiss
If they ask you how this happened
Say i forced you into this
She watched him as his tail lights
Disappeared around the bend
There’s main street after midnight
Just like it was before
Twenty-one months later
At the local grocery store
Sherry buys a paper
And a cold six pack of beer
The headlines read that Sonny
Is going to the chair
She pulls back onto main street
In her new Mercedes-Benz