Chisolm Trail

Here's a western song that no western tunesmith's, like the COWPIE gang

should be without. "The old Chisholm Trail" is believed to have had

at least 143 verses sung at one time or another. Micheal Martin

Murphey's "Cowboy Songs" includes a few more, but I only know 11.

So grab yer slicker and cinch yer saddle and let's go---!

"The old Chisholm Trail"

Lope the song along-

1.Well, come along, boys, and listen to my tale;

2.With a ten-dollar horse and a forty-dollar saddle, I

tell you of my troubles on the old Chisholm Trail. Come a (chorus)

started in herding these Texas cattle. Come a (chorus)

ti yi yippy, yippy yay, yippy yay, Come a

ti yi yippy, yippy yay.

3. I'm up in the morning before daylight;

Before I sleep the moon shines bright.

4. Oh, it's bacon and beans most every day;

We'll soon be eating this prairie hay.

5. With my seat in the saddle

and my hand on the horn,

I'm the best cowpuncher

that ever was born.

6. No chaps, no slicker,

and it's pourin' down rain;

I swear I'll never night-herd again.

7. A stray in the herd

and the boss said, "Kill it!"

So I shot it in the rump

with the handle of a skillet.

8. I went to the boss to draw my roll,

And he had me figured out

nine dollars in the hole.

9. Me and my boss we had a little spat,

So I hit him in the face

with my ten-gallon hat.

10. I'm going to sell my horse,

going to sell my saddle,

'Cause I'm tired of punching

these Longhorn cattle.

11. With my knees in the saddle

and seat in the sky,

I'll quit punchin' cows

in the sweet by-and-by.

--Andrew