Ridin' On, Alone
Ridin' down into the canyon
Looking for some strays
I chanced to think about
The passing of the days.
Been chasing after cattle
Seems a mighty long time
And all those days I ain't be able
To save so much as a dime.
Never thought I'd get rich
Hiring out with herds
But cowboyin' and old age
Seems really for the birds.
My backside and that old saddle
Have formed a kind of warp and woof
So the leather's highly polished
And now there's snow upon my roof.
When I was a young stud
With a bellyful of fire
Living day to day was okay
And riding out for hire.
But now the cows are contankerous
And cow ponies ain't so smart
So I've started in a-wishing
I had a gal to share my heart.
There was a gal in Lubbock
With long and yellow hair
But that was a long time ago.
She's no longer there.
I remember what it was like to love
Then left alone to ache
Lonely hours in the saddle
Every memory a heartbreak.
All those years riding the range
I've had some time to think
Of the difference 'tween Hereford hides
And skin so soft and pink.
But now time and youth are gone
Left back there in the colorful past
Old horse and I are all that's left
Alone on the range as long as we last.
by E. Marshall Evans
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