"Four Strong Winds" is a song written by Ian Tyson, but Waylon Jennings recorded his own version of the song. The lyrics depict a sense of longing and a desire for change in one's life. The title "Four Strong Winds" refers to the powerful and constant winds that blow in a certain direction, symbolizing the unchanging aspects of life. The mention of the seven seas running high suggests the vast and unpredictable nature of the world. The narrator acknowledges that despite these unchanging aspects, their own good times have come to an end, and they are ready to move on. They express a hope to find the person they are singing about, should they ever return to the same place. The narrator contemplates going to Alberta, where the weather is good in the fall, and they have some friends whom they could work for. However, they still hold on to the hope that the person they are addressing will change their mind and join them. They recognize that they have expressed this desire numerous times before, to no avail. If the narrator arrives in Alberta before the snow falls and things are going well, they offer an invitation for the person to join them by sending them the fare. However, if the person waits until winter to make a decision, it would be too late as the harsh winter conditions would make it difficult. Overall, the song conveys a sense of yearning for change and the longing for someone to share that change with. It reflects on the transient nature of good times and the desire for a different life.
