lp discography - covers & lyrics

1.

HIGH NOON (DO NOT FORSAKE ME)

(Ned Washington - Dimitri Tiomkin)
« © '52 Volta Music, ASCAP / Patti Washington Music, ASCAP / Catharine Hinen Music, ASCAP »
Do not forsake me oh my darlin' on this our wedding day
Do not forsake me oh my darlin' wait wait alone
I do not know what fate awaits me I only know I must be brave
And I must face the man who hates me
Or lie a coward a craven coward or lie a coward in my grave

Oh to be torn twixt love and duty s'pposin' I lose my fair-haired beauty
Look at that big hand move along nearin' high noon
He made a vow while in state's prison vowed it would be my life or his'n
I'm not afraid of death but oh what will I do if you leave me

Do not forsake me oh my darlin' you made that promise as a bride
Do not forsake me oh my darlin' although you're grievin' don't think of leavin'
Now that I need you by my side
Wait alone wait alone wait alone wait alone
**********

2.

STRAWBERRY ROAN

(Curley Fletcher - Nat Vincent - Fred Howard)
« © '35 Songs Of Universal, BMI »
Not always filled with romantic adventures
The cowboy's life was of'en a battle for survival
Strength was his greatest asset
And of'en this alone determined his success or failure
Among the many tests of his abilities was the task of breaking
And training the wild broncs
That later became farm and saddle horses
Such a wild one was Strawberry Roan

I was hangin' around town just spendin' my time
I was out of a job and not earnin' a dime
When a feller steps up and he says I suppose
You're a bronc rider by the looks of your clothes
Well I tells him my hand a good one I claim
Have you got any broncos you want me to tame
Then he says he's got one that's a bad one to buck
And at throwin' top riders he's had lots of luck

Then I gets all excited and then asked what he pays
For to ride this ole buck skin a couple of days
And he offered me ten and I says I'm your guy
For there's no bronc alive this ol' cowhand can't ride
So he says get your saddle I'll give you a chance
Then I gets in his buckboard we drives to the ranch
And I stays until mornin' and right after chuck
I goes out just to see if this ole nag could buck

Down there in the corral a standin' alone
Was this tough ole horse flesh called Strawberry Roan
So I tightens my spurs and I climbs on his back
And he jumps and he snords and starts ballin' the jack
Then he bold his old neck gave a jump and unwound
And he seemed to quit livin' down here on the ground
He's about the worst bucker I've seen on the range
He can turn on a nickel and give ya some change

I have rolled 'em from Texas on up to Montan
I have broke the worst broncos in all of this land
But when he'd left the ground and he gave a big sigh
He only lacked wings to be able to fly
Then he turned on his ol' belly right up to the sun
For he sure was a rip snortin' son of a gun
And I'll bet all my dough ev'rything that I own
There's no man alive can ride Strawberry Roan
**********

3.

RED RIVER VALLEY

(Traditional)
« © '47 Robbins Catalog, ASCAP »
From this valley they say you are goin'
I shall miss your sweet face and your smile
Just because you are weary and tired
You are changing your range for awhile

I've been thinkin' a long time my darlin'
Of the sweet words you never would say
Now alas must the fond hopes have all vanish
For they say that you're goin' away

Then come sit here awhile ere you leave us
Do not hasten to bid us adieu
Just remember the Red River Valley
And the cowboy who loves you so true

I have promised you darlin' that never
Will the words from my lips cause you pain
And my life it will be yours forever
If you only would love me again

There never could be such a longin'
In the heart of a poor cowboy's breast
As dwells in the heart you are breaking
As I wait in my home in the west

Then come sit here awhile...
**********

4.

COWBOY JACK

(A.P. Carter)
« © '59 Peer International, BMI »
Not only did the cowboy have to worry about the cattle
And getting them to the trails end safely
But he had worries about his family and loved one
Many times when the cowboy was out on the trail for weeks at a time
Some city dude would come along and steal his girl away
Or she would meet with some other kind of tragedy
Such as is described in the true story of Cowboy Jack


He was just a lonely cowboy with a heart so brave and true
And he learned to love a maiden with eyes of heavens own blue
They have learned to love each other and had planned their wedding day
When a quarrel came between them and Jack he rode away

Then one night when work was finished and just at the close of day
Someone said come sing a song Jack it will drive dull cares away
And when Jack began his singing then his mind it wandered back
For he sang of his dear maiden who waited for her Jack

Jack had left the camp next mornin' as he breathed his sweetheart's name
I'll go back and ask forgiveness for I know that I'm to blame
But when Jack he reached the prairies there he saw a new made mound
And his friends they sadly told him they had buried his loved one down

He was just a lonely cowboy with a heart so brave and true
And he learned to love a maiden with eyes of heavens own blue
**********

5.

ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY

(Traditional)
« © '55 Alley Music, BMI / Trio Music, BMI »
On top of ol' Smokey all covered with snow
There I lost my true lover by courtin' too slow
For courtin's a pleasure and parting is grief
But a false hearted lover is worse than a thief
[ steel ] A thief he will but rob you and take all you've saved
But a false hearted lover will drive you to your grave
Then the grave will destroy you and turn you to dust
For there's seldom a woman a poor boy can trust
[ steel ] They will tell you they love you to give your heart ease
And as soon as your back's turned they'll do as they please

They will hug you and kiss you and tell you more lies
Than crossties on the railroad or stars in the skies
**********

6.

HOME ON THE RANGE

(Gene Autry - Dan Kelley - Brewster Highley)
« © '52 Western Music, ASCAP »
A cowboy's life was filled with hardships and disappointments
But it wasn't an unhappy one by any means
The endless pastures furnished free feed for anyone who cared to take it
The fenceless prairies were the home for buffalo antelope and deer
With plenty of space for them to live and play and roam around in
Seeing the beauty of the mountain and streams and the wide blue sky above
And the rich fertile valleys below caused many a cowboy to sing of his happy lot
Such a song is Home On The Range
Filled with a cowboy's description of his open plains
With the balmy breezes and cloudless skies
And also his grateful thanks for the plentiful land around him

Oh give me a home where the buffalo roam
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day

Home home on the range
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard a discouraging word
And the skies are not cloudy all day

How of'en at night when the heavens are bright
With a light from the glittering star
Have I stood there amazed and asked as I gazed
If their glory exceeds that of ours

Home home on the range...
**********

7.

BURY ME NOT ON THE LONE PRAIRIE

(Traditional)
« © '59 Vidor Publications, BMI »
Oh bury me not on the lone prairie
Where the coyotes howl and the wind blows free
In a narrow grave just six by three
Oh bury me not on the lone prairie

It matters not I have oft been told
Where the body lies when the heart grows cold
Yet grant oh grant this wish to me
Oh bury me not on the lone prairie

Mhm mhm mhm...
Oh bury me not on the lone prairie
**********

8.

CHISHOLM TRAIL

(Joe Reisman)
« © '46 Vidor Publications, BMI »
The ole Chisholm Trail was one of the shortcuts in driving cattle
Up to Dodge City Kansas in the early days
It led across the center of the Great Plains and through canyons
With high hills on each side
The cowboys preferred this trail
Because they were sure of plenty of tall grass and good water for their cattle and horses
And along this trail they would find camping grounds that had been used before
With stone fireplaces and plenty of firewood near by
One of the popular songs with the trail riders was this one
Which since those days has become a favorite all over the world
It tells of the true experiences of the cowboys who rode this long and weary trail

Now come along boys and listen to my tale
And I'll tell you bout my troubles on the ole Chisholm Trail
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay

Started up the trail on the April 23rd
Drivin' long horn cattle from a 2-X-herd
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay

Ten dollar horse and a forty dollar saddle
I left ol' Texas to punch those cattle
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay

I woke up one mornin' on the ole Chisholm Trail
A rope in my hand and a cow by the tail
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay
[ fiddle ] I was up that mornin' up for dayling
Fore we stopped to eat the was shinin' bright
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay

Now ole Ben Jones was a darn good boss
But he always rode on a sore back horse
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay

Farewell trail boss I don't wish any harm
I'm goin' back east to my little ole farm
Come a ti yi yippy yay yippy yay come a ti yi yippy yippy yay
Ti yi yippy yippy yay ti yi yippy yippy yay
**********

9.

I RIDE AN OLD PAINT

(Traditional)
« © '56 Southwind Music, BMI »
I ride an ole paint I lead ole Dan
I'm a goin' to Montan for to throw the hula hand
They feed in the coulee they water in the draw
Their tails're all matted their backs're all raw

Ride around little doggie ride around slow
The fiery and snuffy are rarin' to go

Old Bif Johns had two daughters and a song
One went to Denver the other went wrong
His wife she died in a poolroom fight
But still he keeps a singin' from mornin' to night

Ride around little doggie ride around 'em slow
The fiery and the snuffy are rarin' to go

When I die take my saddle from the wall
Lead out my pony lead him out of his stall
Tie my bones to the saddle turn his faces toward the west
And we'll ride the prairie that we love the best

Ride around little doggie ride around 'em slow
The fiery and snuffy are rarin' to go
**********

10.

WHOOPIE TI YI YO (GIT ALONG LITTLE DOGGIE)

(Traditional)
« © '34 Writer Share, PD »
Usually the cowboy riding the trails would carry an ole mouth organ in his shirt pocket
Or have an ole banged up guitar along in the chuck wagon
And at the end of the day the men would stop for chow
And sit around the campfire singin' songs tellin' jokes and stories
And each cowboy either knew a lot of ole songs
Or made up his own while riding along herding the cattle
One of the favorites was this song written by an unknown cowboy

As I was a strollin' one mornin' for pleasure
I spied a cow-puncher a ridin' along
His hat was throwed back and his spurs were a janglin'
And as he approached me a singin' this song

Whoop-ee ti-yi-yo git along little doggy
It's your misfortune taint none of my own
Whoop-ee ti-yi-yo git along little doggies
You know that Wyomin' will be your new home

And early in springtime we'd round up the doggies
Slap on their brands and bob off their tails
Round up our horses load up the chuck wagon
And herd those doggies on up the trail

Whoop-ee ti-yi-yo git along little doggies...

While whoopin' and yellin' and drivin' the doggies
Oh how I wish that they' would move on
It's whoopin' and punchin' go on little doggies
You know Wyomin' will be your new home

Whoop-ee ti-yi-yo git along little doggies...

Your mother was raised way down in Texas
Where the tall jimson weed and the sandburrs grow
We'll fill you up on tall grass and choya
Till you're ready for ole Idaho

Whoop-ee ti-yi-yo git along little doggies...
**********

11.

GREEN GROW THE LILACS

(Traditional)
« © '45 Beechwood Music, BMI »
I used to have a sweetheart but now I have none
Since she's gone and left me I care not for one
Since she's gone and left me contended I'll be
For she loves another one better than me

Green grow the lilacs all sparklin' with dew
I'm lonely my darlin' since partin' with you
And by the next meeting I hope to prove true
To change the green lilacs to the red white and blue

I passed my love's window both early and late
The look that she gave me it made my heart ache
The look that she gave me was harmful to see
For she loves another one better than me

Green grow the lilacs all sparkling with dew...

I wrote my love a letter in red rosy lines
She sent me an answer all twisted in twines
Saying keep your love letters and I will keep mine
Just write to your sweetheart and I'll write to mine

Green grow the lilacs all sparkling with dew...
**********

12.

LAST ROUNDUP

(Billy Hill)
« © '33 Shapiro-Bernstein Co, ASCAP »
I'm headin' for the last roundup
Gonna saddle ole paint for the last time and ride
So long ole pal it's time your tears were dry
I'm headin' for the last roundup

Git along little doggie git along git along git along little doggie git along
Git along little doggie git along git along git along little doggie git along
I'm headin' for the last roundup

To the far away ranch of the boss in the sky
Where the strays are counted and branded there go I
I'm headin' for the last roundup
Git along git along git along git along
**********