FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection
Folk Coll 11 is Utah State University's cowboy poetry collection. The collection, originally created
by a generation donation by the L. J. and Mary Skaggs Foundation, includes books gathered
during a fieldwork project in the early 1980s to document cowboy poetry in the U.S. west (see Folk
Coll 11f). From this important fieldwork project came the impetus for the first Cowboy Poetry Gathering held in
January 1985 in Elko, Nevada. Since that time, each January, the Fife Folklore Archives staff take the collection
and Access database (that details each book, poem, author, first line and key words), to the National Cowboy Poetry
Gathering for offsite use. Through University purchases and generation donations from poets and collectors, this collection continues to grow.
Book Title
Composer
Call #
Pages
Author
Poem Title
First Lines
Keywords
Songs of Juniper Flat
FC 11 D-06
3
Mary R. Duling
Tribute
Oh, Juniper Flat, surrounded by.
Mount Hood, Deschutes, peaceful, inspiration
Old Hands and Old Brands
Frances Fitch
FC 11 H-05
33
Herbert N. Handley
Snow Down Your Coat Collar
I remember now -- "standing guard" at night.
Dry Crik Review: Summer 1992
John C. Dofflemyer
FC 11 D-20
12
Sue Wallis
Throw Back The Gates Contemporary Cowboy Poetry
A creative and literary movement possessing vitality and power the likes of which the world has seldom seen resides in the American West.
phenomenon, book, competition, promise, debate, wind, letters, honorable
Outdoors, Faith, Fun and Other Poems
FC 11 B-02
10
Elliott S. Barker
A Heritage to Save
When Christopher Columbus sailed across the sea; He found America where vast resources lurk.
ravage of land, conservation, natural resources
The Big Roundup: Classic and Contemporary Poetry from CowboyPoetry.com
Margo Metegrano
FC 11 M-47
141
Diana N. Wray
A Cowboy's Computer
A long time ago I had a job at a store.
Appears from here
FC 11 H-45
8
Barbara Hall
No other life
It gets inside your blood; it gets inside your mind; there ain't no other life; there ain't no other kind. That's Ian's song you're hearing about a cowboy's mind; He's right: There ain't no other life, no other kind.
Spur Jingles and Saddle Songs
FC 11 G-06
58
Lysius Gough
Driving Beef
On the first of September our voices did sound.
palins, round upcattle, Jule Gunter, Diamond horse, Vas Stickley, Swanny Reb, Lem Shipman, George Isaac, Mexican John, Frank Jackson, Jim Mullins, Kin Johnson, Jim Right, L. Gough, Charles Mabrey, Yellow Net, Sam Wise, Walking John, Frank Denson, T-Anchor crew, storm, Antelope Peak, Amarillo, Amarear, North Palo Duro, Till Beaver Creek, Cimarron, Crooked Creek, Dodge, Arkansaw, Kansas City
The Nevada Cowboy's Album of Songs
Republic Features Syndicate, Inc.
FC 11 T-13
21
Dallas Turner (Nevada Slim), Arranger
Intoxicated Rat
I got on a drunk last Thursday night,
Cowboy Poultry Gatherin'
FOLK COLL 11 A-23
14
Darrell Arnold
Lost Treasure
I wonder what happened to Di'mond. I sure miss that ornery ol' cuss. He didn't show up for the brandin' this spring, With me and ol' Walter and Gus.
friend, wander, woman
Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers
FC 11 F-16
338
Rolf M. Flake
Gone, But Not Forgotten
Took my ol' boots in to the repairman today-- They'd been used for hard work and never for play. The soles were plumb shot--the heels wore off too You c'd see what I mean if I c'd show them to you-- But comfortable--say--let me tell ya about it-- Shore much better'n new ones--I'm here to shout it.
Wolf Tracks on the Welcome Mat
FC 11 Z-03
7
Paul Zarzyski
The meaning of intimacy
Not reasong, but romantic prehistoric instinct coaxes my whiskered cheek to the bristled
West of East
FC 11 H-17
38
Harry Elmore Hurd
Bryce Canyon
Dead is this City of Silence.
Utah, Ute, Navajo, Indians, silence, nature, national park, praise, God
Ridin' by the Fire: A Collection of Poems
FC 11 C-29
54
Eugene N. Cayton
The Boss of the T Bench Bar
Jest settin' here watchin' a flame dance an' play.
fire, sick, warm, girl, angel, growed-up, boss
New Mexico in Verse
William Felter and John L. McCarty
FC 11 F-01
25
William Felter
Ghost Towns
McSweeney's place is lonesome.
ghosts, ghost town
Rattle: Poetry for the 21st Century (Winter 2008)
Alan Fox
FC 11 R-36
14
Chris Anderson
Reality Homes
Cow-Gals Love Their Cowboys
Jodie and Bob Phillips
FC 11 B-50
11
S. Omar Barker
Rangeland
There's something in the tang of things that makes a feller feel for home or for adventurings, for woe or maybe weal.
Bell Ranch Glimpses
FC 11 E-01
114
Martha Downer Ellis
Late Fall Shipping
Huddled one day in the cab of the pickup.
shipping, wind, dust, train, boots, spurs
Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers
FC 11 F-16
218
Rolf M. Flake
Music To Our Ears
Most every large city has it's symphony band It's philharmonic orchestra or choir-- And folks get excited over marching bands too And rock bands really set 'em on fire. We all have radio in our cars And tape decks in stereo sound.
Heaven on Horseback
Austin and Alta Fife
FC 11 F-13
37
The Dying Cowboy
Oh, bury me not on the lone prairie; These words came low and mournfully.
Backtracks Through the High, Wide and Lonesome
FC 11 A-20
46
G.M. Atwater
Thanks, But No Thanks
"Women's Lib," she said. "Isn't the by-word. we don't trouble with chauvinist swine or burn bras in public sedition as we did in more diffcult times.
battle, vanished, boss, bunkhouse
Rhyme Doesn't Pay -- But Neither Does Cowboying
FC 11 B-46
38
Ed B. Brown
Elko
I read where they're having a gathering.
Rhymes From a Round-Up Camp
FC 11 C-49
43
Wallace David Coburn
A Father's Advice to His Son
Don't marry a girl with dark blue eyes, Whose love, the bards say never dies;
Stretch Marks
FC 11 G-34
41
Peggy Godfrey
Out in the Open
It happened in the back seat on the way to eat shrimp
kidney, Doris
Prairie Poetry: Cowboy Verse of Kansas
Jim Hoy
FOLK COLL 11 H-62
49
Glenn Brunkow
The Neighbor's Bull
It's what caused most range wars since barb wire's introduction. No it isn't musk thistles I speak of, but the neighbor's bull.
breed, bull, cow, fence
Ranch Reveries
FC 11 H-21
21
Oscar Herem
Happy Birthday
Dear one, this is your birthday, and though we're miles apart.
husband, wife, love, appreciation, gratitude, housewife