The song "Christmas for Cowboys" by John Denver celebrates a unique and simple kind of Christmas experience, specifically for cowboys who spend their holiday out on the open range, driving cattle through snow-covered plains. The lyrics paint a picture of cowboys embracing the beauty of the wide-open sky and expansive range as their gift during Christmas. They contrast this with the city dwellers who have different ways of celebrating, such as football games, eggnog, and parades. The song highlights the cowboys' connection with nature and their reliance on it for their livelihood. While city folks may have material gifts, the cowboys find solace and joy in the stars overhead, which serve as their Christmas tree lights. In this cowboy Christmas, a campfire provides warmth during the night, and the wind sings a hymn as they bow down to pray. The lyrics emphasize the simplicity and peacefulness of this kind of celebration, away from the commercialism and hustle and bustle of city life. Ultimately, the song embraces the beauty of the open range and the cowboy way of life as a meaningful and fulfilling way to spend Christmas. It reminds listeners to appreciate the natural world and find joy in the simplicity and freedom it offers.
