FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

100

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Neighbors

I've got a couple of neighbors, live up the road from me. Diffrence between them, this story makes it plain to see. One came to ask a favor, a couple of years ago. And what he said to me, made his personality show.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

102

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Honor and a Cowmans Word

Now in this great Southwestern cattle land, there was something there the people all understand. When a man looked at you, and he gave you his word.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

104

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

How Many Cows Do You Have?

These folks come here from a distant town And don't really know their way around. But there's some things I'd like to bet, They understand about ettiquette.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

105

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Cowboys and Cowmen

There's cowboys and cowmen, and owners, too. There's gunsels and dues and wild buckaroo. How do you sort'em out, why its kinda hard to say.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

106

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Buckaroo

Well, the cowboy and the buckaroo, can be one and the same. Cloths and the riggin', makin' the difference in the name. Look at the buckaroos, with their packers laced up tight.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

107

Richard Smith

Trailin' Cows

I've followed them cattle Through everything from heat to snow. Sometimes they travel easy And sometimes they won't go.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

110

Charlie Hunt

Badlands Music

In the badlands of North Dakota The moon was round and bright. The day had been a long one An' welcome was the night

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

112

Jane Tankersley

Song of the Past

Long to go on home, just go back home. That's what my heart, is a'grievin' for. But I can't go home, just go to roam. For I ain't got no home, no more.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

113

Leon Flick

Dead in Spring

Why is it that they fight the wind, the bitter cold and snow. Then just as sprig starts turnin' green the up and just let go.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

114

Betty Lynne

She's Not Gettin' on 'em Any More

After years facing all breeds of weather Her face appears carved of leather, And her hair is bleached and gray, But she can recall a younger day.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

115

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

To My Old Cat

Dear old friend, this is gooodby. Please be patient with me, if I cry. Your dear old face, is blurring through my tears. But my God, we've been together for twenty-six years.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

116

Larry Crawford

Old Bay

I get a lump in my throat when i think about it, and then I usually start to curse, cause my old bay horse can't come to grain, and I can tell he's getting worse

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

117

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

My Pardner

Late one fall, when I waas a kid, a long, long time ago. Mom's dog Bob, had a litter of pups, and wouldn't you know. For hristmas that year, I got the pick of them all. I chose the runt of the litter, with a crippled front paw.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

119

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

To a Buckskin Mare, Named Getalong Gal

I walked out, saw you lying there, at the foot of the hill. My old heart stopped beating, my whole world stood still. Please not you, old faithful, dearly beloved friend.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

121

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

My Father's Spurs

As you get older, sense of history and family grow stronger. You realize time, is not just today, but a whole lot longer. Rach back in your mind, for something you heard as a kid.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

123

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Old Spot and Flaxie

I own lots of good horses now, my pastures are plumb full. And I look across the draws, the scene is really beautiful. Their ears are small and, their heads keen and refined. Their chests are muscled good,

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

125

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Horses in My Life

Sometimes I get to thiknin', about the horses that I've had. There were a dozen good ones, for every one that was bad. I go back in my mind and, each one has a place.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

126

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Wilson's Little Ben

I got him as a yearling, the black stud I dreamed about. He head was keen a nd fine, his chest and hips were stout. His leg refined and, his ears were nice and small.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

127

Walt Wilhelm

Bronk Stomping Lady

Let me tlell you about a wrangler, Little Lona was her name. Down in Owens Valley, is where this lady won her fame She started with a black stud hoss, two calves and a pig

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

129

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Cowman and His God

Prose: To me, religion is a very personal thing and I don't go much to manmade churhces. But that is my choice. I see God every day in the most beautiful church of all, His land.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

130

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Cowboys Prayer

Dear God, You made Your heaven, up above, so I'm told. With pearly gates, heavenly harps, and streets of god. And after this life, in that heaven we'll dwell.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

131

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Cowboys Eulogy

To say goodbye, my God, it sure is hard. But so long ol' Pal, adios, ol Pard. We rode many trails together, in that far distant past. But now, we've come to the end of the trail, at last.

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

133

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

Cowman's Prayer

Dear God, on this THy starry night. I thank Thee Lord, for all things right. For the grass and water, the rain and snow.

Cow Tracks on the Land

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

FC 11 B-66

134

Leon Flick

Spring of Eighty Eight

They died like flies in eighty eight They trod a path through Heavens gate And there they found aplace to graze

Cow Tracks on the Land

FC 11 B-66

135

Lona Tankersley Burkhart

When You Ride the Ridges

When you ride the high ridges, where the air is pure and sweet. your heads in the clouds, and the whole world lies at your feet.