Rocky Roads

Bob Nolan
Original copyright: March 16, 1939

Seems that I was born to tote a heavy load
And ride the rocky road forever.
But it’s down the rocky road that true friends stand
And travel hand in hand together.

Refrain:
A golden sun in the sky,
A silver cloud rollin’ by,
They make me feel like I should be
Where rocky roads are calling me.
I don’t know just where I’m bound,
I know I won’t settle down
Just like a seed the wild wind sowed.
I’ll just pack my saddle
And my pony I’ll straddle
And go ridin’ down that rocky road.

Guess I’ll be a rover like I’ve always been.
I know it ain’t no sin to travel.
Never want a cottage or a king’s abode,
Just let the rocky road unravel.

Bob Nolan wrote "Rocky Roads" for the film The Thundering West (Columbia/Charles Starrett) some time before January 1, 1939 when the movie was registered for copyright. The song itself was registered for copyright on March 16, 1939 and the sheet music was published in Bob Nolan’s Folio of Original Cowboy Classics No. 1, © 1939 by American music, Inc.

Like most of the songs he wrote for the early movies, this one reflects his love of traveling, moving on—something he had done in his late teens and early twenties but now could do only in his imagination. Once he had formed the Sons of the Pioneers, the group had risen to fame so quickly that Bob was tied down for at least 14 years before he retired. This early song is lively and joyous in the spirit of "Happy Cowboy", "Bound for the Rio Grande", "Don't Expect Me Home in the Morning", etc.

The song itself was registered for copyright on March 16, 1939 and the sheet music was published in Bob Nolan’s Folio of Original Cowboy Classics No. 1, © 1939 by American Music, Inc.

Rocky Roads (American Music, Inc.)

SONS OF THE PIONEERS TRANSCRIPTION RECORDINGS

Orthacoustic Symphonies of the Sage, transcription (064062)

Teleways Radio Productions transcriptions, Nos. 25 and 213 (c. 1947-48)

Lucky U Ranch radio shows (courtesy of Larry Hopper)
- Transcriptions disc TR-226/227 (February 5, 1952)
- Transcriptions disc TR-517/518 (October 14, 1952)