FOLK COLLECTION 11: The Skaggs Foundation Cowboy Poetry Collection

Prairie Poetry: Cowboy Verse of Kansas

Jim Hoy

FOLK COLL 11 H-62

154

Tom McBeth

All That's Left

All that's left is the skeleton windmill; Its vane is whirling with the changing wind, Though the water pump is rusting, silent still.

change, seasons, home

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

3

Joel Hayes

The Other Miracle

From Jerico to Jerusalem We traveled up the road, With ox carts and pedestrians And my donkeys toting loads.

christ, mule, trader

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

5

Joel Hayes

A Biography

He came from humble beginnings Just north of the 'Bama line. He grew up in a country town Which suited him just fine.

youth, chaplain, family

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

6

Joel Hayes

Country Girl

Just a simple country girl Though pretty I might add Her life's course it was charted Till she met her children's dad.

country, girl, wife, preacher

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

7

Joel Hayes

Our Brother Bud

Born in Douglas County He left it for a while. His roots kept pulling homeward And he came back with a smile.

advice, experience, family

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

8

Joel Hayes

Brother Jack

The preacher was in trouble, There was dissension in the ranks. Forty plus years of pastoring, This was what he got for thanks.

sad, retirement, pastor

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

9

Joel Hayes

Ivan

He stands at the podium, Week after week Showing little emotion, His demeanor quite bleak.

music, church, conductor

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

10

Joel Hayes

Miss Irene

You know her legs aren't very long, They just barely reach the ground. But to her that's no inconvenience, 'Cause she surely gets around.

service, wife, short

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

11

Joel Hayes

History

The first time that I came here Was in March of '72. I just came for the preaching Didn't go to Sunday School

destiny, church, growth

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

12

Joel Hayes

Daddy Sang

Thinking back to my childhood There's a memory I recall, Daddy singing "In the Garden Alone", It was his favorite song. He sang as he worked and rested That song now so special to me.

father, sing, love

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

13

Joel Hayes

Horses

Here comes the horses As proud as can be. They'll never claim kin To the lowly donkey.

horse, donkey, christ

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

14

Joel Hayes

Bud

No, you won't find him in the pulpit, That just ain't his style, He'll be in the back of the church, Greeting folks, with a handshake and a smile.

serve, fishing

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

15

Joel Hayes

The Preschool Teacher's Lament

Seven hundred little boys, And they've all got little sisters. Spending a hour alone with them, Is worse than walking with blisters.

children, energy

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

16

Joel Hayes

Visions

Through years of struggle and reaching, And at last defining our goal. As followers of our almighty God Who called us that we might be whole.

vision, goal, growth

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

17

Joel Hayes

Steward Ship

The mighty God that sent salvation Called us all to fill time service. Sometimes when I'd think of that I'd get just a little nervous.

responsibility, pastor, teacher

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

18

Joel Hayes

A Formula for Revival

It was the time of year for revival, For weeks and months I had prayed. But, I felt no reviving spirit Just the knees of my pants getting frayed.

faith, prayer, conversion

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

19

Joel Hayes

Memories

Johnson grass at the edge of the fields Tall as a man at this time of year. The cotton is chopped and all laid by, The corn is now in roasting ears.

memory, country, church

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

20

Joel Hayes

Bible Stories

I have heard those Bible stories all the years since I was 3. When my teacher down at Sunday School read them all to me.

bible, jesus, tree

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

21

Joel Hayes

Untitled 1

I've walked the mighty Tetons, God's presence left me awed. You can't stand among the Redwoods And not feel close to God.

nature, creation, god

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

23

Joel Hayes

Untitled 2

Boys ain't she awful pretty Just a flappin' in the breeze? Waving proud and high and handsome, And just as free as you might please.

war, veteran, patriotism

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

24

Joel Hayes

Mothers and Daughters

Mothers are a nuisance They really should be banned They have no sense of fashion And they seldom understand

mother, daughter, personality

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

25

Joel Hayes

Lessons

Mama taught me to read the Bible, She said do it every day. But looking back to my childhood, It was Daddy that taught me to pray.

religion, example, parents

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

26

Joel Hayes

The Transition

There are things a boy must learn If he would be a man. Each lesson comes in sequence According to God's plan.

experience, coming of age, growth

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

27

Joel Hayes

Miss Hattie

Some people strive for greatness, Our tributes they demand. Others take a simpler path, According to God's plan.

humility, cowboy, example

Cowboy Poet

FOLK COLL 11 H-64

28

Joel Hayes

Choosing

The Lord called his disciples they were a mixed lot. In Judean social circles They were scraped off the bottom of the pot.

conversion, jesus, lifestyle