"The Highwayman" was written by Webb for his 1977 album "El Mirage." The song is about reincarnation and follows one man's spirit through four distinct periods as he spends his life as a highwayman, sailor, Hoover Dam construction worker, and spaceship captain. Webb said of the song: "I wanted to write about what it means to be human. It's not just about living each day as it comes but about striving to build up something that will outlive you. And if you do that, then you're not really living at all; you're merely spinning your wheels." Webb first performed "The Highwayman" on American radio station KPPC in Pasadena, California on March 17, 1978. The following month, he included it on his live album 'El Mirage. We hope you enjoy this excerpt from our readers' library!