Nuclear Cowboys
Backstory
Written during the Cold War while a loony like Reagan was in control of it all. Many thought it was all but over. The French were testing at Moruroa Atoll & the Russians still arming to the teeth. This song was directed at Reagan but aimed at ALL nuclear-armed world leaders, hence the plural "Cowboys". It was inspired while I was involved with an anti-nuclear group & saw Reagan on a late movie & next day he was on the news joking “we begin bombing Russia in 5 minutes”. M.A.D. Now Trump - same.
Lyrics
I saw Ronald Raygun On the late late movie Quite a tough guy A real smoothy. He was Sheriff of Cheyenne Quick on the draw But all of the townsfolk Knew that he stood for the law. Because he shoots from the hip With a wink in his eye A smile on his lips No he never says die. A man killed his brother He said "the outlaw must hang" So the Sheriff alone Went out after the gang. Well they fought in a canyon He got shot in the arm But captured them anyhow By keeping perfectly calm. He always shoots from the hip With a wink in his eye A smile on his lips No he never says die. But then I remembered it was only a movie And they were all actors playing a part Nobody really gets hurt by the bullets How can your bleed when you don't have a heart? Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys I saw Ronald Raygun On the late night news He was playing a major role As a political stooge. It's a long time since Hollywood And sure people can change But a movie-star President Still seems kind of strange. Oh he shoots from the hip With a wink in his eye A smile on his lips No he never says die. As I thought of the movie From the morning before I wondered if anyone Knew what was in store. Would armies of robots With six-gun in hand Make Soviet Russia The new Rio Grand?? Ah he still shoots from the hip With a wink in his eye A smile on his lips No he never says die. I hope they remember it isn't a movie We're not actors playing a part. People are real and get killed by the rockets Scream as you burn at the men with no heart. Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun and the nuclear cowboys Ronald Ray-gun.
Words and music by Jay Moxham © Copyright 1984
Arranged and produced by Jay Moxham © & ℗ Copyright & Publishing 2026