Songs of the Cowboys (1908)/Old Time Cowboy

Come all you melancholy folks wherever you may be
I'll sing you about the cowboy whose life is light and free
He roams about the prairie and at night when he lies down
His heart is as gay as the flowers in May in his bed upon the ground.

They're a little bit rough I must confess the most of them at least
But if you do not hunt a quarrel you can live with them in peace
For if you do your sure to rue the day you joined their band
They will follow you up and shoot it out with you just man to man.

​Did you ever go to any cowboy whenever hungry or dry
Asking for a dollar and have him you deny
He'll just pull out his pocket book and hand you a note
They are the fellows to help you out whenever you are broke.

Go to their ranches and stay awhile they never ask a cent
And when they go to town their money is freely spent
They walk straight up and take a drink paying for everyone
And they never ask your pardon for anything they have done

When they go to their dances some dance while others pat
They ride their bucking broncos and wear their broad brimmed hats
With their California saddles and their pants inside their boots
You can hear their spurs a-jingling and perhaps some of them shoot.

Come all softhearted tenderfeet if you want to have some fun
Go live among the cowboys they show you how it's done
They'll treat you like a prince my boys about them there's nothing mean
But dont try to give them too much advice for all of 'em aint so green.