This song appears on six albums, and was first released on the Farewell Andromeda Album, and has also been released on the Changes, Country Classics, The Country Roads Collection and The Rocky Mountain Collection Albums. A live version also appears on The Best of John Denver Live Album.

Jesse went away last summer, a couple of months ago
After all our time together, it was hard to see her go
She called me right up when she arrived, asked me one more time to come
Or livin’ on an LA freeway, Ain’t my kinda havin’ fun

I think I’d rather be a cowboy
I think I’d rather ride the reigns
I think I’d rather be a cowboy
Then to lay me down and love the lady’s chains
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/j/john+denver/id+rather+be+a+cowboy+ladys+chains_20492833.html ]
We were just beginnin’, it was such an easy way
Layin’ back up in the mountains, makin’ songs for summer days
She got tired of pickin’ daisies, cookin’ my meals for me
She can live the life she wants to, yes, it’s alright with me

I think I’d rather be a cowboy
I think I’d rather ride the reigns
I think I’d rather be a cowboy
Then to lay me down and love the lady’s chains

I’d rather live on the side of a mountain
Than wander through canyons of concrete and steel
I’d rather laugh with the rain and the sunshine
Then lay down my sun down in some starry field

Oh, but I miss her in the morning, when I awake alone
The absence of her laughter, is a cold and empty sound
But her memory always makes me smile, and I want you to know
I love her yes I love her, just enough to let her go

I think I’d rather be a cowboy
I think I’d rather ride the reigns
I think I’d rather be a cowboy
Then to lay me down and love the lady’s chains

I think I’d rather be a cowboy
I think I’d rather ride the reigns
I think I’d rather be a cowboy
Then to lay me down and love lady’s chains

Words and music by John Denver