Coward of the County

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Coward of the County is a 1980 song performed by Kenny Rogers, and co-written by Roger Bowling and Billy Ed Wheeler. The song examines passiveness and assertiveness. Part of Rogers' best-selling 1979 album Kenny, it reached #1 on Billboard's Country Singles chart, and #3 on the Pop Singles chart. It is considered one of his biggest hit singles around the world, it also reached #1 on the UK pop charts.

A story-song in the vein of "The Gambler", the song tells the story of a young man named Tommy. When Tommy is ten years old, his father dies in prison. Tommy is taken to see him on his deathbed by his uncle (portrayed by Rogers in the role of narrator), where Tommy's father makes him promise not to fight when provoked and to always "turn the other cheek". This earns Tommy a reputation as the "Coward of the County" (as the song's title states) because he never stands up for himself.

Tommy is in love with a girl named Becky, who loves him despite of (or perhaps because of) his unwillingness to fight. One day, while Tommy is out working, the "Gatlin boys" (the villains of the piece) attack and rape Becky. When Tommy comes home and finds Becky hurt, he is forced to choose between upholding his promise to his father or avenging the crime that is committed against the love of his life.

In the climax of the story, Tommy goes to the local bar where the Gatlin boys hang out. At first, it appears that Tommy will uphold his promise (after being laughed at by the Gatlin' boys) as he turns towards the door (after "one of them walked up and met him halfway 'cross the floor"). However, he turns to the door to lock it and "twenty years of crawlin'" ends in an explosive fight that leaves all three Gatlin boys unconscious on the barroom floor. Tommy then asks for forgiveness from his dead father for his actions by saying "Sometimes you have to fight when you're a man." The song concludes with the opening line "Everyone considered him the Coward of the County".

The song was later turned into a movie, with Rogers playing the same role he did in the song. Today, the song is still well remembered and played on the radio in many countries.

Preceded by "The Special AKA Live! (EP)" by The Specials

UK number one single February 10, 1980

Succeeded by "Atomic" by Blondie