FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Rambler's Notebook: 50 Years of Scribblin': Songs & Poems from the Road

FC 11 A-16

72

Singin' Sam Agins

Love

Why should it be as it is? That, when our eyes meet, for a single moment there flows along their path a feeling, like reaching out and touching music.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

96

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Largo

Bought him off the Navajos -- shadow of a pony, Over near the Largo draw, runnin' up and down.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

98

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Burro

Beloved burro the ample ear, Philosopher, gray hobo of the dunes.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

100

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Chance

Sixty miles from a homestead, straight as the crow can fly.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

103

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Song of the Mule

Sing if ye will, of the thoroughbred, and the fine old Morgan breed.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

106

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Mule-Skinner

The clack and clatter of the chain; the staggering pull to top the crest.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

108

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Pack Train

Oh, some prefer the beaten track from city unto city.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

111

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Sheep

An undulating, dusty patch, they move; Along the margin of the canon stream.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

113

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Walkin' John

Walkin' John was a big rope-hoss, from over Morongo way.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

116

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Bosky Steer

Jake and Roany was a-chousin' along, And Jake was a-singin' what he called a song.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

118

Henry Herbert Knibbs

If a Horse Could Talk

I wonder, now, what my pony things, When I slip his bit and he snuffs and drinks.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

120

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Toby

Have you ever heard a fellow talking nonsense to a hoss.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

123

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Sunlight

Sunlight, a colt from the ranges, glossy and gentle and strong.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

126

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Old Jim

Black thunder rolled along the mountain-height, The lightning lased in whips of burning white.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

129

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Chilao

"Chilao is a gentle hoss."

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

132

Henry Herbert Knibbs

So Long, Chinook!

Chinook, you're free; there's plenty pasture there.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

134

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Walking Man

Sunny summer day it was when loping in to Laramie.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

138

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Oliver West

Oliver West came riding down; His face was lean and keen and brown.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

140

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Oro Stage

Around the bend we streaked it with the leaders swingin' wide.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

143

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Charley lee

A low moon shone on the desert land and the sage was silver white.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

146

Henry Herbert Knibbs

The Rustler

From the fading smoke of a branding-fire in a mesquite hollow close and dim.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

148

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Bill Tandy

Bill Tandy, ridin' Hell's Delight, come foggin' into town one night.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

151

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Yardlaw's Ride

The high stream gnawed at the river-bank; And the dead clay crumbled down.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

154

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Song of the Mercado

Just over the border where strife and disorder; Make living a difficult trade.

Cowboy Poetry: Classic Rhymes by Henry Herbert Knibbs

Mason and Janice Coggin

FC 11 K-23

156

Henry Herbert Knibbs

Boomer Johnson

Now Mr. Boomer Johnson was a getting old in spots.