FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

24

Sunny Hancock

Ode to My Lady, My Wife

I had all my Christmas shopping done, all that I had to do, All that I had left to get this year was one small gift for you; The sort of thing I find with which is very simply dealt A gift which would explain to you exactly how I felt.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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28

Sunny Hancock

The Bear Tale

I was up in the Sycan Black Hills Camp workin' for old Z-Cross, This was my own piece of country, I was cook and crew and boss. The afternoon of that there year was comin' on as I recall, Meanin' summer'd hit the cap rock and slid right down into fall.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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34

Sunny Hancock

The High Steppin' Kind

I was born in the depression back when times was kinda bad. Guess I learned the occupation of cow punchin' from my dad Down younder in the "cedar breaks" on a "greasy sack" outfit That was mostly held together by just work, and hair, and spit.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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43

Sunny Hancock

Cowdogs, Generally Speaking

You know, I always did work for big outfits Even way back when I was a pup. In fact, when I first got started I was still sort of gettin' growed up.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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48

Sunny Hancock

Sycan Barn

What was that you said, old timer? There's something wrong with this old place? The picture just don't fit in somehow; I see the question on your face.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

56

Sunny Hancock

Change on the Range

The way the times and customs change these days is sure a fright. If you want to sell a product then you've got to name it right. Today's he-man still shuns perfume but change the name I'll bet, And they'd buy it by the gallon if you called it "Stud Horse Sweat."

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

62

Sunny Hancock

E.I.S

Environmentalists, you call yourselves, but do you have the right? Are you the Earth's custodians or some parasitic blight? It sounded good when your cry rang. Clean water and fresh air. We're gonna clean this planet up for people everywhere!

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

66

Sunny Hancock

For a Debt Unpaid

To show you that we folks aren't ninnies That pay their gambling debts in pennis I know you didn't earn, it's true, This huge behest I mail to you.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

68

Sunny Hancock

Rondo

Every year in late September when the days turn cool and hazy, Some folkds like to call us rednecks while some others say we're crazy. When the lazy days of summer turn plumb frosty in the fall, In every bar, cafe and tavern you can hear the bull elk call.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

75

Sunny Hancock

I Shoulda Never Told That to No One

Did you ever see a feller that has had a drink or two, Get to tellin' some big "windy" and it's obvious it's true? And by the time that he gets finished, why, he knows you've got him cold, Because he's blabbed a lot of secrets that he never should have told!

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

82

Sunny Hancock

A Bad Situation

It was back in the year nineteen-sixty That wonderful year of our Lord When Ike and his whole bag of golf clubs Went down 'neath the Democrat's sword.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

86

Sunny Hancock

The Horse Trade

I traded for a horse one time, he wouldn't take no beauty prize; A great big long-geared, blue roan gelding, not too bad for weight or size. I had to make some tough old circles and this trader guaranteed This horse would show me lots of country and not need too much rest or feed.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

92

Sunny Hancock

The Horse Camp Gate

A friend of mine told me this story and I'll pass it on to you. He wasn't no great hand for lying so I guess it's probably true. Said we was working' for Taft Miller in the foothills of the Steens. It wasn't any get-rich outfit, thirty-five a month and beans.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

100

Sunny Hancock

The Cowboy and the Buckaroo

Story

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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102

Sunny Hancock

A Tribute

We'd like to dedicate our fair And rode this fall To four old boys from Lakeview That stood might straight and tall.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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104

Sunny Hancock

Ode to the Spotted Owl

This old world is in a turmoil in most everybody's view. Seems like we all have different notions of the things we ought to do. From balancing the budget to the price of foreign aid, To the hole up in the ozone all those little spray cans made.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

109

Sunny Hancock

Just for Old Folks

I know my ears are kinda' large, they match my feet, ya' see. I wasn't near as purty as Mama wanted me to be. Folks used to say, "With ears like yours it should be pretty neat You could probably hear a pin drop for at least a hundred feet."

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

112

Sunny Hancock

Doctor, Doctor

The day was cold and stormy But 'twas nice and warm inside. Only one chair in the doctor's Waiting room was occupied. And sitting, waiting patiently As old cowpunchers do, Staring straight down at his boot toes Was an ancient buckaroo.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

116

Sunny Hancock

A Sailors Lament

It was once that I was happy, And my life was filled with cheer, And I ain't never been to Texas, 'Till the Navy brought me here. I'd heard songs about her beauty, Her pretty girls and big strong men, Her oil wells and seashorees, And rollin' plains laid end to end.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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118

Sunny Hancock & Lona Burkhart

The Deer Hunters & The Difference

Story.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

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119

Sunny Hancock

The Deer Hunters

Hello there Mr. Rancher; yep, we're back you know the reason. In three more days they're gonna open up the huntin' season. Sure, I saw that big old sign that you got nailed up to that tree That says "No Huntin" or "Trespassin'," but I know you don't mean me.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

122

Sunny Hancock

The Difference

There is something I have noticed as we pass down thru the years; It brings on lots of laughter, and at other times some tears. It points out several differences in life's unending game. God made us all a little different, but also quite a bit the same.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

125

Sunny Hancock

Waterloo

Old Jess caught up his horse one day, rode out across the hill, He was riding on his rancho just outside of Porterville. The wind came up and he got cold so he put on his coat When just across the ridge he hearrrrd the blatting of a goooooooat.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

129

Jesse Smith

Anniversary Calf

Was our weddin' anniversary And we was goin' to supper there in town. We still had an hour or two Before the sun would be goin' down. We had some calvie heifers I wanted to check along the way. One was a-gettin' up right close; I just seen her yesterday.

Cowboy Poetry: Horse Tracks Through The Sage

FC 11 H-47

135

Jesse Smith

Growin' Up

Well, sometimes it's hard For a man to look back, And recall all the places Where he's laid down his track. In the barrooms, the pool halls, And dimly lit places, With the ruffians and rowdies, And their unfriendly faces.