Introduction
“Desperados Waiting for a Train,” a haunting ballad by the supergroup The Highwaymen, tells the story of a young boy’s relationship with an older man named Jack, a wildcatter who worked in the oil fields of West Texas. The song is a tribute to Jack, who was a grandfather figure to the boy and taught him about life and the world.
The song begins with the boy describing Jack as “an old school man of the world,” who had seen and done many things in his lifetime. Jack was a drifter, always on the move, but he always found time to spend with the boy. The boy learned to drive Jack’s car when he was too drunk to do it himself, and Jack would wink at him and give him money to buy candy.
The song also tells the story of Jack’s love for a woman named Molly. Molly was a beautiful woman, but she was also a wild one. She left Jack for another man, but Jack never forgot her. The boy could see the pain in Jack’s eyes when he talked about Molly, but he never asked him about it.
One day, Jack died. The boy was devastated, but he knew that Jack would always be with him. He would never forget the lessons that Jack had taught him, and he would always cherish the memories that they had made together.
“Desperados Waiting for a Train” is a beautiful and moving song. It is a tribute to a man who lived a full life and made a lasting impact on the people he loved. It is also a song about the power of friendship and the importance of remembering those who have gone before us.