FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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268

Rolf M. Flake

1986 Cowboy Poetry Gathering

They came from far, they came from wide-- To a gathering in old Elko Town-- Cowboy poets and readers and lookers-on Most unknown, but some of renown. Some quoted from books of their own composition-- While some quoted the classic verse. Some read from scratches on a yellow sheet-- I quoted from "Western Verse or Worse."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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270

Rolf M. Flake

Cowboys In Town

Well, I went to jolly England And spent a week or so. I was a frog out of my puddle-- Six thousand miles from home. I dressed just like I always do-- Justin boots to Stetson hat-- Just a cowboy stranger in a far off land-- Sure no aristocrat.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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272

Rolf M. Flake

The Newcomer

The little town 'd been settled long-- Well over a hundred years By ol' pioneers who'd mad 'er go Thru blood and sweat and tears. There's lots o' that type of little towns Spread all across th' West. If you grew up in one like I did They're the towns you like the best.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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274

Rolf M. Flake

Conflict Of Interest

In days gone by it used to be The distinction was very clear cut. Indians were Indians--cowboys were cowboys-- Hard to distinguish betweent--it was not. And in the old movies the lines are still drawn As each fights for what they think right. The Indians wantin' to maintain their way of life Gave them cowboys an awful good fight.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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276

Rolf M. Flake

It Takes One To Know One

Have you ever noticed how it is When two ol' cowboys meet? When they pass by each other At a rodeo or on the street? They'll look eacah other over closely-- Kinda with a sideways eye, And if they judge you to be a cowboy You'll get a nod as they go by.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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278

Rolf M. Flake

Christmas Forecast

"Chili today and hot tamale!"-- A Southwest weather forecast? No--that's our Christmas menu here-- And I sure hope it gets here fast. A few "sopapillas" would sure be good-- Yes, and maybe "bunuelos," too. "Arroz Mexicana" and flour tortillas-- And I'd like "frijolitos fritos," wouldn't you?

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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280

Rolf M. Flake

Bi-Lingual

Well, Arizona is a "bi-lingual" state-- There's us Gringos and them Mexicans, too-- And it really is nice we understand each other so well As in this story I'm tellin' to you. Well, the "Sheep Trail" crossed my uncle's cow ranch Up north there in Navajo County-- And the Bascoes trailed sheep to the mountains in spring And back to the valley after summer's bounty.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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283

Rolf M. Flake

Old Cowboys Never Die

Old cowboys never die-- They just live on in fame. As prrof this I'll tell ya 'bout My friend, Tom Blasingame. Now, Tom was a native son of Texas-- Born in Eighteen Ninety-Eight At a place called Waxahachie In the middle of that bit state.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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285

Rolf M. Flake

Ranch Egg-O-Nomics

Now, I've heard of "egg ranches" at times before-- And I've always kinda cringed at the term, 'Cuz to me a ranch had to produce BEEF-- On that issue I've always been firm. But I guess things change and I'll tell ya about A one-hundred-ten-thousand acre "egg ranch" deluxe-- It's owned by US--Uncle Same that is And it has cost him more than nine million bucks.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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288

Rolf M. Flake

Windmill Water

"What will you have?" asked the cocktail waitress As she smiled and took our order. The others ordered drinks of various kinds-- I said, "I'll just have a tall glass of WINDMILL WATER." "Excuse me?" she smiled--not sure she had heard right. I says, "I sure hope you've got 'er-- I'm not in to drinkin' this high brow stuff-- I'll just have a tall glass of WINDMILL WATER."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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290

Rolf M. Flake

Rangeland Delicacy

Pinon nuts are a real treat Out here in the wide open West, And regardless of how you feel about 'em I still think they're among the best. They're called "starvation nuts" by some And the reason is they say Is that you'd starve to death while eatin' 'em, 'Cuz you can't crack enough in a day.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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292

Rolf M. Flake

Railroad Job

Well, the railroad crossed this little ranch Up Navajo County way. The rancher had a damage clain Which the railroad refused to pay. The rancher had tried to no avail To bring the company to "heel"-- But the railroad refused adamantly-- They wanted to part of a deal.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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295

Rolf M. Flake

Pig Out

We wuz movin' pigs-me and Bill Biggs. Early one Saturday morn-- For a widow we knew--just helpin' her out She wanted to see, 'cuz she'd run out of corn. So oI borrowed a trailer from my neighbor, Steve-- A 2-Horse WW or such-- And when we backed it in to the pig pen that day I'm afraid we expected too much.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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298

Rolf M. Flake

Gon' Back To Texas

In the lobby of a big hotel In Elko town one day Stood a group of jolly punchers And one by one they had their say. Cowboy poets, recitin' verses Singin' songs of bygone days. Spinnin' yarns and spoutin' windies. Tellin' 'bout their work and play.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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301

Rolf M. Flake

Movin' Camp

My work here on this range is done-- It's time to move along To greener pastures over the hill-- A move that can't be wrong. I've rode the range my whole life through Across the great Southwest-- I've enjoyed God's creations-- I've tried hard to pass the test.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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304

Rolf M. Flake

Thanksgiving Prayer

Have you ever been so fortunate As to hear a "cowman" pray? I chanced to hear one a short while back-- 'Twas on Thanksgiving Day "Dear Lord", he said, "on this special day That's set aside for thanks There's many things I'm grateful for-- One is stock water in my tanks."

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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306

Rolf M. Flake

Addendum to Thanksgiving Prayer

And here it is now Christmas Day And I'm reflectin', too, On that old "cowman's" prayer, I heard That I just described to you. And I'm thinkin' of the year just past And the many blessings that are mine-- Of family, friends, and loved ones, dear That have remembered us this Christmas time.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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308

Rolf M. Flake

Happy New Year

The New Year comes without fanfare Out here on the range. No clanging bells or funny hats But that don't seem so strange. 'Cause there aren't many people 'round To help us celebrate-- There's no TV or New Year's Dance In which to participate.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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310

Rolf M. Flake

Angel Food

Now, there's a certain way of cookin' That will always make me smile-- And it shore ain't TV Dinners Cooked up in modern-day style. It rates at the top of the gourmet scale-- The microwave's found far below. You have to plan ahead for this kind of grub For sometimes a day or so.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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312

Rolf M. Flake

No Disguise

Well, a cowboy's about as fussy As anyone I know When it comes to how he dresses And what he wears for clothes. He may not always wear a Stetson, But I'll tell you this for sure It'll be something near it's equal-- Some might even think it's more.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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314

Rolf M. Flake

Hang Tight To The Willows

"Hang tight to the willows," you say? Well, that don't make much sense. But let me explain it to you-- Let me make my defense. There's a story attached to it As you well might have guessed. And if i relate it here to you You'll understand it best.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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317

Rolf M. Flake

A Chip Off the Old Block

There's a certain type man Out here on the range-- I'll tell you about him-- To some he might seem quite strange. He's a Mormon Cowman And the difference shows He's a man of great faith Because of the things that he knows.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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319

Rolf M. Flake

As The Crow Flies

I used to drive a "Cattle-Rack"-- (An ol' Chevrolet bobtail truck.) Hauliln' catte on Northern Arizona roads You depend a whole lot on luck. You must stay alert, keep your mind on the road Especially in places like Salt River Canyon. It's five crooked miles in--a holdin' your gears And five SLOW miles back up out of that canyon.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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320

Rolf M. Flake

Time Flies

"Time flies on wings of lightning," As someone once observed-- And when I realize how true that is It leaves me somewhat un-nerved. I remember when my dad said At home many years ago About how time passes onward-- And this is how it'd go.

Cowboy Poetry: Cloud Watchers

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322

Rolf M. Flake

Native Born

A lady called the other night-- Takin' a political survey. She asked if I had time to talk-- If I could it'd finish up her day. She she quizzed me on statewide issues, Things national and international. I spoke my mind to such a point that I think she figured I was irrational.