The Kenny Rogers Coward of the County song was released in 1979 as the second single from the multi-platinum album Kenny. Rogers was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame on October 27, 2013. He was highly popular with country music audiences and also charted more than 420 hit singles across various genres, topping the country and pop album charts for more than 200 individual weeks in the United States. Kenny sold more than 100 million records worldwide during his lifetime, making him one of the best-selling music artists of all time. His music talent spanned multiple genres: jazz, folk, pop, rock, and country making him one of the most successful cross-over artists of all time.
Kenny Rogers’ 1979 hit “Coward of the County” is one of the most compelling story songs in country music history. Released as the second single from his album Kenny, the song became a No. 1 hit on both the U.S. Country and Pop charts and remains one of Rogers’ most memorable recordings. Coward of the County kicked off a three-week run at the top of the Billboard country singles chart starting January 5, 1980.
Watch a live performance of the song and check out the lyrics below.
Kenny Rogers Coward of the County Live Performance
The Story Behind “Coward of the County”
“Coward of the County” tells the dramatic tale of a young man named Tommy, whose father dies in prison. Before passing, his father advises him to always “turn the other cheek” and avoid trouble, a lesson Tommy takes to heart. Because of his pacifist nature, the townspeople mock him, labeling him the “Coward of the County.”
However, when a gang known as the Gatlin boys assaults his beloved Becky, Tommy makes a life-changing decision. He ultimately stands up for himself and Becky, proving that courage doesn’t always mean avoiding conflict but knowing when to fight for what’s right.
Fans have long speculated that the “Gatlin boys” mentioned in the song were inspired by the country music trio Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers. However, Rogers and the songwriters clarified that any similarities were purely coincidental.
The lyrics to “Coward of the County” were written by Roger Bowling and Billy Ed Wheeler.
Kenny Rogers Coward of the County 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,
Something always told me they were reading Tommy wrong.
He was only ten years old when his daddy died in prison;
I took care of 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”.
[Chorus]
“Promise me, son, not to do the things I’ve done
Walk away from trouble if you can.
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, n’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 the tears fell on his daddy’s face, he heard these words again:
[Chorus]
The Gatlin boys just laughed at him when he walked into the barroom;
One of them got up and met him half way cross the floor.
When Tommy turned around they said, “Hey look! old yeller’s leaving,”
But you could’ve heard a pin drop when Tommy stopped and locked the door.
Twenty years of crawling were 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.
The TV Movie Adaptation: Kenny Rogers Coward of the County
Due to the song’s popularity, a made-for-TV movie titled Coward of the County was released in 1981. Starring Kenny Rogers as Tommy’s uncle, the film expanded on the song’s storyline, adding depth to the characters and their struggles. While the movie took some creative liberties, it stayed true to the core themes of the song—redemption, justice, and standing up for what’s right.
“Coward of the County” is the second single from his multi-platinum album Kenny.
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