FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

35

Austin Campbell

The Cowboy Homesteader

Times have changed for you old pard, the open range is gone.

range, homesteading, marriage, wife, settle down

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

36

Austin Campbell

Along the Old Cattle Trail

When I'm setting here day dreaming.

progress, change, cattle trail, cattle drive, day-dream

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

38

Austin Campbell

The Mail Order Bride

The old cowboy on his homestead claim was tired of the lonely life.

mail-order bride, wife, catalogue, beauty, buck teeth

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

40

Austin Campbell

Our First Model T2

One day my dad he said to me.

car, automobile, Model T

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

42

Austin Campbell

Black Billy White - not a poem

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

43

Austin Campbell

School Days

Though many years have come and gone.

school, youth, teacher, memories

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

44

Austin Campbell

The Four Seasons

The sun is swinging low.

seasons, spring, summer, winter, fall

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

48

Austin Campbell

Here's to the Old Timers

Here's to the old timers.

work, cowman, homesteader, people

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

51

Austin Campbell

The Baby Sitter

The wind blew cold on the bench land.

calves, cows

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

53

Austin Campbell

Old Bud

He was just an old brown horse with a white snip on his nose.

horse

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

55

Austin Campbell

Ride the Pale Horse

It's time for you to quit Old Timer.

The Big Divide, death, aging, old-timer

Riding the Dim Trails

FC 11 C-01

56

Austin Campbell

The End

I was setting all alone with nothing left to do.

writing, poetry

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

2

Will Carleton

Betsey and I Are Out

Draw up the papers, lawyer, and make 'em good and stout.

divorce, marriage, argue, disagreement, temper, life, husband, wife

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

21

Will Carleton

How Betsey and I Made Up

Give us your hand, Mr. Lawyer: How do you do today?

lawyer, divorce, reconciliation

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

27

Will Carleton

Gone with a Handsomer Man

I've worked in the field all day, a-plowin' the "stony streak."

practical joke

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

35

Will Carleton

Johnny Rich

Raise the light a little, Jim.

storm, chores, drink, alcoholic

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

43

Will Carleton

Out of the Old House, Nancy

Out of the old house, Nancy -- moved up into the new.

home, house, memories

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

51

Will Carleton

Over the Hill to the Poor House

Over the hill to the poor house I'm trudgin' my weary way.

aging, poverty, widow, mother, abandonment

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

59

Will Carleton

Over the Hill from the Poor House

I, who was always scouted, they say.

mother, son, poverty

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

63

Will Carleton

Uncle Sammy

Some men were born for great things.

reason, logic, argument, argue

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

69

Will Carleton

Tom was Goin' for a Poet

Tom was goin' for a poet, an' said he'd a poet be.

poet, son, poetry

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

71

Will Carleton

Goin' Home Today

My business on the jury's done -- the quibblin' all is through.

jury duty, home

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

73

Will Carleton

Out o' the Fire

Year of '71, children, middle of the fall.

fire, elope

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

77

Will Carleton

The New Church Organ

They've got a brand new organ, Sue.

music, organ, church

Farm Ballads

FC 11 C-02

82

Will Carleton

The Editor's Guests

The editor sat in his sanctum, his countenance furrowed with care.

editor, newspaper