The Day Old Queenie Died

We were having a chivaree for Bob And his brand new wife, little Laurie Lee, When Betsy ran up from the barn and sobbed That old Queenie was as sick as could be. Old Queenie was a horse long past her prime That we now just sort of kept as a pet— We had quit riding her for quite some time And her long life was full of no regret. In her day she was our favorite horse, Gentle, but spirited on a hard ride— And it was just as if she knew your course And moved with your thoughts before you’d decide. Then there was a time she bucked for a snake— Then reared up real high and stomped it to death, As that rattler tried to make me ache And take away my everlasting breath. Then there was the time I yanked myself high To her broad back after I broke my knee— And I clung to her with a welcome sigh And rode back to town as quick as could be. But now old Queenie was dying out there And slowly I loaded my old gun— Then walked on down the lane to that barn where I had to do what no one wanted done. Old Queenie’s big black eyes looked up at me As I stood here with rifle pointing down— But before I moved, her eyes couldn’t see And she died from old age without a sound.