Chapter 97
The Jolly Cowboy, collected by John Lomax, read for LibriVox.org by Yen Yen Zen. My lover, he's a cowboy. He's brave and kind and true. He rides a Spanish pony. He throws a lasso too. And when he comes to see me, our vows we do redeem. He throws his arms around me and thus begins to sing.
Ho, I'm a jolly cowboy, from Texas now I hail Give me my cord and pony, I'm ready for the trail I love the rolling prairies, they're free from care and strife Behind the herd of longhorns, our journey all my life When early dawn is breaking, and we are far away
We fall into our saddles, we round up all the day We rope, we brand, we earmark. I tell you, we are smart. And when the herd is ready, for Kansas then we start. Oh, I'm a Texas cowboy, light-hearted, brave, and free. To roam the wide, wide prairie, tis always joy to me.
My trusty little pony is my companion true. Over creeks and hills and rivers He's sure to pull me through When threatening clouds do gather And herded lightnings flash
And heavy raindrops splatter And rolling thunders crash What keeps the herd from running Stampeding far and wide The cowboys long low whistle
And singing by their side When in Kansas City Our boss he pays us up. We loaf around the city and take a parting cup. We bid farewell to city life.
From noisy crowds we come. And back to dear old Texas, the cowboy's native home. Oh, he's coming back to marry, the only girl he loves. He says I am his darling. I am his own true love.
Someday we too will marry And then no more he'll roam But settle down with Mary In a cozy little home Ho, I'm a jolly cowboy
From Texas now I hail Give me my bond to Mary I'll quit the Lone Star Trail I love the rolling prairies They're free from care and strife
But I'll quit the herd of longhorns for the sake of my little wife. End of point. This recording is in the public domain.
