The Last Cowboy

Silent sage and chaparral Gather ‘round the old corral, Like the cowhands way back then When the Old West did begin. Too soon gone are all the days Of the cowboy and his ways— He’ll be herdin’ now no more Like he did in times before. He’ll soon sell his saddle, too— Thinkin’ now that he’s all through, But he lingers ‘round the gate Still uncertain of his fate. Though no wages does he draw, He still works for grub and chaw And still by the fire at night He tells stories of his plight. Too soon gone are all the days Of the cowboy and his ways— He’ll be herdin’ now no more Like he did in times before. Yet, still he comes ‘round the spread Like a phantom of the dead— We let him stay in the bunk To spin windies and get drunk. But his days now dwindle fast, Still sad those times did not last— But that cowboy never dies In our songs and words and lies. Too soon gone are all the days Of the cowboy and his ways— He’ll be herdin’ now no more Like he did in times before. Silent sage and chaparral Gather ‘round the old corral, Like the cowhands way back then When the Old West did begin.