You Can’t Marry a Cowgirl Without Baggage

You Can’t Marry a Cowgirl Without Baggage

Performed by Bale Harrison & The Texas Field Hands

You Can’t Marry a Cowgirl Without Baggage —Music and Lyrics by Alan Nafzger (2013)

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(Verse 1)
Well, I thought I’d marry a girl with no cares,
But then she showed up with boots and spurs to spare.
Her suitcase? Nope, it’s a saddle and some rope,
And now I’m wonderin’ how in the world I’ll cope.
She’s got a trailer full of horses and hay,
And I’m just tryin’ to make it through the day.
Her heart belongs to a horse named Dolly,
And now I’m just a cowboy in a rodeo folly.

(Chorus)
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
It’s hay, it’s saddles, and her rodeo damage.
She’ll lasso your heart, then rope you in,
‘n’ I ain’t sure that’s a bad thing, my friend.
Her past ain’t full of scars, just boots and barns,
And when she says, “Let’s ride,” she means through farms.
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
So saddle up, partner, it ain’t that tragic.

(Fiddle Solo)

(Verse 2)
She packs light, but there’s always a trailer in tow,
For her horse, her dog, and half the rodeo show.
Her closet’s not full of dresses, oh no,
It’s boots, mud-caked, with a spur or two for show.
When she said she’s got trust issues to face,
Turns out, she’s just worried ‘bout backin’ up the trailer into a space.
And when she talked about baggage, I thought it was deep,
But it’s just her bridle, saddle, and a brand new Jeep!

(Chorus)
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
It’s hay, it’s saddles, and her rodeo attachment.
She’ll lasso your heart, then rope you in,
But I ain’t sure that’s a bad thing, my friend.
Her past ain’t full of scars, just boots and barns,
And when she says, “Let’s ride,” she means through farms.
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
But saddle up, partner, it ain’t that tragic.

(Bridge)
Her ex rode bulls and had that wild side,
But now it’s me, her trusty cowboy ride.
She don’t need flowers, don’t bring her a rose,
Just bring her some hay and she’ll strike a pose!
Her “luggage” is leather, her love’s the land,
But man, I’m learnin’ how to be her right-hand man.

(Chorus)
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
It’s hay, it’s saddles, and her rodeo average.
She’ll lasso your heart, then rope you in,
But I ain’t sure that’s a bad thing, my friend.
Her past ain’t full of scars, just boots and show,
When she says, “I’m out of here,” she means she’s going to the next rodeo.
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
But saddle up, partner, it ain’t that tragic.

(Outro)
Yeah, she’s got her boots and she’s got her pride,
And now we’re ridin’ this life side by side.
You can’t marry a cowgirl without some baggage,
But I’ll take it all—’cause it’s one nice package!

(Fiddle and Guitar Outro)

The irony in “You Can’t Marry a Cowgirl Without Baggage” lies in its playful subversion of the traditional notion of “baggage” in relationships. Typically, when we speak of someone bringing “baggage” into a relationship, we’re referring to emotional or psychological issues from past experiences. However, in this song, the cowgirl’s baggage is humorously literal—saddles, hay, a horse trailer, and farm equipment.

Literal vs. Emotional Baggage

The song flips the conventional meaning of baggage. Instead of dealing with unresolved emotional issues, the cowboy faces the very real, physical load that comes with marrying a cowgirl. This irony is underscored by the cowboy’s comically overwhelmed reaction to the sheer amount of equipment, animals, and work that come with the cowgirl’s life on the ranch. Instead of dealing with drama or past relationships, he’s figuring out how to back up a horse trailer and manage piles of hay bales.

The Contrast Between Practicality and Romance

Another layer of irony comes from the contrast between the cowgirl’s hardworking, practical lifestyle and the cowboy’s expectations of romance. The song humorously suggests that the cowboy, while charmed by the cowgirl’s independence and skill, is a little surprised by how much work comes with being with her. The romance in their relationship doesn’t just involve love and candlelit dinners—it’s about mucking out stalls and repairing fences. This flips the stereotypical narrative of romantic relationships, adding a humorous twist that marries practicality with affection.

Her Independence as ‘Baggage’

There’s also an ironic undertone in the portrayal of the cowgirl’s independence as “baggage.” Normally, independence is seen as a positive trait, but in the song, it adds to the cowboy’s sense of being overwhelmed. Her competence with farm work, her ability to manage the ranch, and her strength are what make her a great partner, yet they’re humorously framed as burdens. The cowgirl’s ability to “rope” and “saddle” represents her self-sufficiency, which is ironic because those very qualities are what the cowboy struggles to handle.

Playful Irony in the Cowboy’s Response

The cowboy’s reaction to the situation also carries irony. He’s in awe of the cowgirl, but her lifestyle is far from what he probably envisioned. The baggage isn’t emotional or dramatic—it’s farm life, hard work, and horses. Yet, despite being flustered, the cowboy ultimately accepts the baggage, recognizing that it’s part of what makes the cowgirl special. In this, the song embraces the idea that while love might come with its challenges, in this case, those challenges are worth the ride.