FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

224

Rolf M. Flake

The "Eyes" Have It

Well, I went to see the Banker To borrow me some "dough," I went with fear and trembling-- Afraid he'd tell me "NO." But the Banker, he surprised me-- Said, "I'll tell you what I'll do. I have one glass eye, if you can tell which I'll just make that loan to you."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

225

Rolf M. Flake

Poor People Have Poor Ways

Well, I went to see the Banker So as to get myself a loan. He started askin' about "collateral," And how much property did I own? I told him I didn't own a dadgummed thing-- That's why I'd come to borrow. And if he'd make me the loan today-- There'd be a brighter day tomorrow.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

226

Rolf M. Flake

Tell the Banker--"No"

When I worked for the Bank A few years ago I went out to appraise a ranch-- Belonged to a man we'll call Joe. He lived clear back off the road At the end of the trail So far back in the hills He didn't even get mail.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

230

Rolf M. Flake

The "Go Ahead" People

"We're the rancher's friend," they advertise The "go ahead" people, that's us. "Come get the money while the gettin's good," You can bet they create quite a fuss. The hard-pressed old rancher sees this as his chance To increase his herd--maybe double, And increase his income above the poverty line-- He sure can't forsee any trouble.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

232

Rolf M. Flake

"No Le Hace Por Mi"

The ranch was well sold, the deal had been made And both men had agreed on the price. What they needed now was to agree as to how The money would be paid to suffice. "Well, how do you want your money?" asked the buyer, "Now that we've determined how much?"

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

234

Rolf M. Flake

Reason Enough

"I'm sellin' this ranch on account o' my health," This rugged old rancher says to me. So we looked at the ranch he was wantin' to sell From scrub cedar to tall pinon tree. We drove through the gullies, and over the rocks And out across the sacaton flats Through sage and chamise and salt cedars too, 'Til I barely knew where I was at.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

236

Rolf M. Flake

Safe Keeping

Now Banks are known far and wide For their "safety deposit box." It's for keepin' valuables inside And things like bonds and stocks. And most banks have a special room That's known by all as a "vault"-- And they even close them with a time-lock door At least any bank that's worth it's salt.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

238

Rolf M. Flake

Free???--Don't You Believe It!!!

My boy was a wearin' a PCA cap the other day In Salt Lake at the big Rodeo. And that PCA cap pretty well tells the world That you've borrowed considerable "dough." We was talkin' to this cowboy, a performer he was-- In the Salt Palace lobby right after the show.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

239

Rolf M. Flake

Wolf, Wolf

Well, the old year is gone, the new one is here-- The year NINETEEN AND NINETY-TWO. And I'm thinkin' back to the year just past-- And wonderin' what will come into view. It's been a good year, we've been healthy and well, But it's a sure thing we didn't get rich.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

240

Rolf M. Flake

What's Fair For One...

Ol' Hosteen Yazzie, a few years back Was an enterprising Navajo-- Went in to see the Banker-- At recognizing opportunity he wasn't slow. He had a little range land fenced Up on the reservation's plain. He wanted to buy himself some steers, And turn 'em out and get the gain.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

242

Rolf M. Flake

Catchin' On

When learnin' life's lessons I'll tell ya for sure, Sometimes I'm kinda slow to catch on-- But when I learn it, I learn it good-- But by then my money's all gone. I'm referrin' now to an expensive lesson That I learned a little while back. It has to do with sellin' ranch real estate And it cost us considerable "jack."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

243

Rolf M. Flake

More Or Less

I visited my friend named Charley Redd From Utah's San Juan County. Raised on that dry, unyielding plain, He's not used to Nature's bounty. But, still he's grateful for what he has, Though not a land of plenty.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

244

Rolf M. Flake

Tall Order

Well, we'd like something isolated-- About three miles from town. Don't want any neighbors-- No one else's kids hangin' around. We would sure like some pine trees, And a runnin' stream would be good, too. But I sure don't like cold weather-- Maybe a lower elevation would do.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

246

Rolf M. Flake

Discovery & Foresight (Or A Lack Thereof)

I was sittin' in my office at the Land Bank one day A workin' on a dozen loans-- Writin' up the appraisal, figurin' out the credit When the secretary buzzed on my phone. "There's some men from Eagle Creek here to see you," I told her to send 'em on back-- And as I cleared off my desk they came thru the door-- Each wearin' a cowboy hat that was black.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

248

Rolf M. Flake

Chasin' Rainbows

Now, "chasin' rainbows" is a way of life to the "commission man" that's for sure-- And the closer he gets to that elusive "buck" Just leaves him thirstin' for more. There's always a "big deal" just over the hill, Or maybe just 'round the bend. Today's deal fell through, but there's always tomorrow-- On and on, will it ever end?

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

250

Rolf M. Flake

"Meat's Not Meat--Until It's In The Pot"

"Meat's not meat--until it's in the pot"-- Truer words were never spoken. You sure can't eat them wild game tracks And I dadgummed sure ain't jokin'. Don't count yer chickens before they hatch," That's advice that's well worth takin'-- And "a bird in the hand's worth two in the bush"-- And I say that after lots of "bush shakin'."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

251

Rolf M. Flake

Show And Sell

Don't show a ranch in the winter. Don't show a ranch in a drought. Don't show a ranch on a windy day-- Whether the wind be from north or from south Do show a ranch in the springtime. Do show a ranch in the RAIN. If you plumb bog down it won't bring a frown-- No legitimate buyer would ever complain.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

252

Rolf M. Flake

The "Loan Arranger"

It used to be in days gone by Out here on the Western frontier That things were tough, yes, mighty rough For we had the outlaws to fear. They stole our money and they stole our stock And we learned how to live with danger.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

254

Rolf M. Flake

Reach Out And Touch Someone

Old Man Charlie was a bachelor Who lived way out from town, And when it came to modern conveniences He didn't have too much around. He didn't have no 'lectricity. He pumped his water with a 'mill. Did his cookin' on an old wood stove In his 'dobe house set on a hill.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

256

Rolf M. Flake

Estate Planning

Once there lived this old "Hosteen." Up there on the Reservation He was a very important "Nataani," Especially to the Navajo Nation. He called his sons together, And so they came, all three. Had a meeting with their father In the shade of a big cedar tree.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

261

Rolf M. Flake

Commodore

Commodore Perry Owens was the name of the man-- A lawman, peace officer first class. As sheriff of Apache, a County up North, He was "quick on the draw," even fast. He wore his hair long in the style of the times. He had nerves of steel, enuff said. He ws not one to shrink when a task needed done, And at times that task left someone dead.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

263

Rolf M. Flake

Apache

The "Apache" is the name of a railroad line In the northern part of the state. It starts in the mountains, goes down 'cross the flats And connects with the Santa Fe. Thee are those who scoff about its length As compared with the other lines. It may not be as long, but it's just as wide The manager of the line confides.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

264

Rolf M. Flake

Mini-Maxi

We bought a little farm a few years ago Out along the old Hay Hollow Wash. About eighty acres, a little house and a well We was gonna be farmers, by gosh! And the man who sold it, he filled us in On the best way to manage the fields-- "Minimum tillage is the secret," said he, To obtaining those maximum yields."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

266

Rolf M. Flake

The Austin Haught Method Of Choosing Cow Dogs (Tried and Proven)

How to pick a good cow dog When it is just a pup? This question is subject to dispute Whenever it comes up. There's about as many ways to pick a dog As there are people to do it. Some claim it isn't hard to tell-- Others say there's a lot more to it.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

FC 11 F-16

267

Rolf M. Flake

Ol' River

Ol' River is a buckskin horse Up Navajo County way. He's named for the Rio Puerco That's over Gallup way. He's spent his life on the Bar J Bar For twenty years or more. You may think that you have a better horse, But just don't be too sure.