Wild Stickhorse Remuda

Ponytails and blue jeans Sat at Papaw's knee, Watching as he whittled On old branches from a tree. And while he talked of cowboys And big old Texas ranches, He trimmed away the rough spots, While I dreamed of pony dances. A wild stick horse remuda Began to run and play, With every loving stroke, As he peeled the bark away. Using his "Old Timer" And carving in my brand, The best that he could find And cut and shape with his own hand. Now, each one of them was special, And I felt I was too, As they kicked up dust behind This cowgirl buckaroo. With reins of pink hair ribbon, Shoe strings and baling twine, There was "Buckin' Birch" and "Oakie," And "Ole Sticky" made of pine, "Sassafras," and "Blackjack," "Willow," "Blaze," and "Scat," I never did corral 'em -- I just left 'em where they sat. But next mornin', on the front porch, 'stead of roamin' wild and free, They'd found their hitchin' rail, ‘cause Papaw lined 'em up for me. Along our trails together There were many lessons learned, Like bein' a cowboy through and through Is something that you earn We'd partner up together, And team up in cahoots, Once he defied my Mama, Bought me red cowboy boots. And often, when I wondered What to do on down the road, He'd always tell me, "little girl, When you get there you will know," Sometimes you have to let things go, Sometimes you stand and fight, And anything worth doin', Is still worth doin' right. With my wild stick horse remuda, We rode the range for miles, I knew I'd won my Papaw's heart By the way he'd laugh and smile, I still have his sweat-stained Stetson, His boots, and his old knife, Sometimes I take them out Just to measure up my life. And hold him closer to my heart, And know I have to try, To live up to the honor Of the wonder-days gone by. On my stick horse remuda, I learned the cowboy way, I’d give up everything I own To ride with him today. My wild stick horse remuda Was quite the varied band, Born and bred with me in mind And trained by his own hand. I’m longing for the legends, And the way we used to roam, With my wild stick horse remuda, And the man that we called "Home."