CHRIS LeDOUX
RODEO SONGS OLD AND NEW
(Lucky Man LM-4249)
1973
Produced by Al LeDoux
Recorded: Pete's Place, Nashville
1.
PHOTO FINISH
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
At seven this morning I got on the phone
And said to hold my bronc as long as you can
My car broke down in Billings and I just got it put together
I'll be photo finishing into old Cheyenne
Well here I am in Sheridan and it's nine o'clock
In the morning and time's a goin' fast
I just pulled her over had some coffee and a doughnut
And I bought the car a brand new tank of gas
Well I don't know if I'm gonna make it
It's nine fifteen I'll be luck if I ever get there
By God now what's that I hear is it a si-reen
Sure enough he caught me on his radar
He pulled up behind me and turned on those flashing lights
A sign that I knew ment pull her over
So I stomped on my brakes and as I skidded to a halt
I wiped out three reflector posts along the shoulder
He got out of his car and was a walkin' real slow
So I jumped out and met him halfway
He jerked out his gun and said Mister are you crazy
I ain't never seen nobody drive that way
I told him to take it easy and he could put up that cannon
The way he's shakin' it just might go off
He put up the gun as I explained my situation
He listened to my story the he caughed
He wrote me out a ticket that seemed to take forever
I took it and headed for my car
That cop he hollered out to me and said hey cowboy
You'd better slow down cause you can't outrun this radar
As I rolled down the road I was a cursin' and a swearin'
About that ticket I had just aquired
I wonder if I should pay for it or throw it out the window
Lit a match and set the damn thing fire
So I gunned it once again, and was a travelin' down the road
With the gas pedal mased to the floor
When I came around a curve and right there in the highway
There's more darned sheep than I've ever seen before
I'm going too fast to ever stop, so I just closed my eyes
As the car roars on through the herd
When I open up my eyes again there's a sheep on the fender
And that herder's sayin' some mighty awful words
Sixty-fifty-forty-thirty-twenty miles more
The rodeo starts in another eighteen minutes
As I pull in through the main gate and I hear the Anthem playing
I can't believe it thank God I finally made it
There's only one more obstacle that's standing in my way
It's a nitwit with a weekend badge
He's standing by the gate and as I slide her to a halt
He says where in the hell you goin' so doggone fast
I tell him that I'm entered and I ain't got time to talk
My horse is in the chute and I'm late
He says I need to get a pass from the secretary
My eyes get red my heart fills up with hate
I yell you dirty so-and-so you'd better let me through
He asked if I'd repeat that once again
So I wacked him in the mouth and left him lyin' there
On his back a kickin' in the sand
I got there just in time to see my bronc come running out
His head and tail was held way up high
I swear he looked right straight at me grinned and gave a horse laugh
And me I just stood there and cried
I turned around feeling helpless and purely dumbfounded
I looked and what did I see
Three highway patrolmen and a gateman with a fat lip
And they were all lookin' right at me
Sittin' in this cell now I've done a lot of thinking
About that wild run that I made a month ago
I'm sorry that I'm in this rotten situation
If I could do it again I wouldn't have drove so slow
**********
2.
OLD RED
(Marty Robbins)
« © '63 Mariposa Music, BMI / Unichappell Music, BMI »
Old Red was one of the orneriest yet I've seen at the big rodeo
He's bite you and kick you and stomp out your life Old Red had never been rode
Meaner than sin wild as the wind that blew on the Montana plains
Old Red was one of the last of his breed and wasn't about to be tamed
From Idaho a young cowboy came to ride in the big rodeo
The young cowboy's name was Billy McClain and Billy had never been throwed
The greatest desire filled young Billy's heart to ride this old outlaw called Red
He drew him one day and I heard Billy say I'll ride him or drop over dead
Old Red was wicked down there in the chute he was kickin' and stompin' about
Billy dropped into the saddle with ease then yelled turn him loose let us out
Old Red came out with his head on the ground his back hooves were touching his nose
Tryin' to get rid of the man of his back but the man went wherever he'd go
Billy was rakin' Old Red with his spurs from his tail to the tip of his chin
He was doin' right well but Billy could tell this outlaw would never give in
Old Red was runnin' straight for the fence suddenly stopped in and then
He r'ared on his hind legs then fell on his back taking poor Billy with him
There was a hush in the crowd and they knew this would be Billy's last ride
The saddle horn crushed Billy's chest when they fell and under Old Red Billy died
Old Red lay still no more would he move the cowboys that seen it could tell
In tryin' to throw Billy off of his back old Red broke his neck when he fell
Out in the west is the place where they rest this cowboy that never was throwed
And one foot away resting there neath the clay is the outlaw that never was rode
**********
3.
COPENHAGEN ANGEL
(Buck Tarleton)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Well she rolls her own cigarettes with the work of just on hand
She acts mean and she cusses I know she wish she were a man
She got her teeth knocked out by a bucking horse
And when I told her that It made her look tough
She just grinned and said I like it that way
And then she loaded up her lip with snuff
She's my snooze queen she's my Copenhagen angel
She's my Beech Nut bunny she's my Red Fox brush hog
She can ride a bareback horse and she can really hook it to a bull
She never misses her saddle bronc out and then she rides it like a spurrin' fool
She team ropes with the best of them ties a calf in 9.3
She dogs steers just for fun that'll make a fool out of you and me
She's my snooze queen...
Oh well a buckle polisher she's dang sure not
Cause she wins her own in all the tough spots
Chasing cowboys just ain't her style but winning the prize money that makes her smile
She's got a plug in both her cheeks she's got Copenhagen in her lips
She's got a roll your own between her teeth and I've never even seen her spit
She's my snooze queen...
**********
4.
RODEO TRAILS
(Gil Milan)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
You made a few bucks in a show down in Texas
You rode the train north threw the sand and the sage
It took all you had to make entry in Denver
A cheap hotel room like a cat in a cage
But you hit a good lick when you won the bull doggin'
Marked eighty points on that old Brahma bull
The entry fees high up in Utah they tell me
But your going there with a back pocket full
Get out while you can hoss there ain't nothin' to it
Some ornerya old broncs gonna lame you for life
It got in your blood so you just gotta do it
The rodeo trails gonna widder your wife
You drew an old nag that looked easy in Utah
But he had a temper as bad as his looks
His high divin' twist was the worst ever you saw
But all that you took was one for the book
Now ten days have past your feeling much better
Your bad leg still hurts but your thinkin' bout home
You use your last buck to mail her a letter
Says honey my last one is in San Anton
Get out while you can...
Get out while you can hoss there ain't nothin' to it
The rodeo trails gonna widder your wife
**********
5.
PASSENGER
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
It was dark I was drivin' down a loney Texas road
The night was hot and sleep pulled at my eyes
I was thinkin' of the wild times and the women that I'd had
The deceitful things I'd done and those lies
Standin' in the shadows by the side of the road
Was the figure of a withered old man
He wore a black bandanna a ropin' Stetson hat
With a two inch scarlet hat band
He held his wrinkled hand up as a sign to shut her down
SO I pulled over and stopped by his side
He opened up the door slid in and sat down
He said my ain't it hot tonight
I studied this old man and it seemed mighty strange
For him to be out here all alone
Then he started talkin' and he told me many things
Of times that both of us had known
He told me of the wild life and the women that he'd had
How none ofthem had ever meant a thing
he told me of a black night much the same as this
Of the strange and awesome things he'd seen
A man beside the road had raised his hand and flagged him down
So he stopped and let him in
That stranger told him stories that I am hearing now
Bout the wild times and all the sin
Then the car got cold and clammy and this old man looked at me
He said boy I've come here for you
Your days of wicked sinnin' have come to an end
As a mortal on this earth boy you are through
Then his eyes got red and fiery as he took his Stetson off
To reveal his evil horns shiny and black
My God the fear came over me and my senses were all lost
I fought with him until we finally erashed
Next day they found the car at the bottom of a draw
The young cowboy was found beside the wreck
His ear had been consumed by fire the cowboy had no marks
Except the smoke and pitch fork brand upon his neck
**********
6.
SCENE WE ALL AIN'T SAW
(Gil Milan)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Old Badger was an outlaw that no man could ever ride
So tough the devils pitch fork couldn't penetrate his hide
To beat him was the dream of every cowboy in the land
But try they might as sure is right they'll wind up in the sand
A brag came up from Texas by the name of Too Oaks Tall
Was out to get old Badger cause old Too Oaks rode 'em all
He said he'd tie a granny knot in Badger's twisting tail
So thousands came to stake his claim or to see how bad he'd fail
A mighty crowd had gathered with old Badger in the cute
The stirrups felt the boating weight of Too Oaks heavy boots
Then the cute swang open and the crowd began to roar
Cause shirt tail feet upon the seat like waves upon a shore
They circled that area Badger pawing out his hate
But Tall stuck in the saddle like his tail was made of paste
Badger then exploded as his hooves beat on the air
But Tall did stay like children's play in grandmas rockin' chair
The outlaw's eyes were blazin' and old Talls face was turnin' red
They take off to the right but wind up goin' left instead
They busted through the fence and crashed the stillness of the night
They filled the air with dust and hair and vanished out of sight
Some say they died of thirst and time turned them into stone
Others say they withered and buzzards picked their bones
But somewhere on that prairie is a scene we all ain't saw
Did Tall get throwed or Badger rode or was it called a draw
**********
7.
STRAWBERRY ROAN
(Curley Fletcher - Nat Vincent - Fred Howard)
« © '35 Southern Music, ASCAP / MCA Music, ASCAP »
Let me tell you a tale and a good one I own of an old caballo a strawberry roan
I was hangin' round town just a spendin' my time out of a job and not earnin' a dime
When a stranger steps up and he says
I suppose you're a bronc rider by the looks of your clothes
I says guess your right there's none I can't tame
If its ridin' wild ponies that my middle name
Oh that strawberry roan oh that strawberry roan
He says he's a cayuse that's never been rode
The guy that gets on him is bound to get throwed
Throwed of that strawberry roan
Out in the horse corral standin' alone is an old caballo, a strawberry roan
Spavined old legs and small pigeon toes pair of pig eyes and a long Roman nose
Little pin ears and they're split at the tip a big fourty four brand was on his left hip
So I puts on my spurs and I coils up my twine
Says to that stranger that ten spot is mine
Oh that strawberry roan oh that strawberry roan
I'll break him to saddle or break him my own
I'll ride him until he lies down with a grown
Bring on your strawberry roan
Then I puts on my blinds and it sure is a fight
Next comes the saddle I screws her down tight
Steps up aboard him and rises the blind get out the way boys he's gonna unwind
Shore is a broad walker he heaves a big sigh
He only lacks wings for to be on the fly
He's the worse buckin' bronco I've seen on the range
Turn on a nickle and give you some change
Oh that strawberry roan oh that strawberry roan
That sunfishin' critter's worth leavin' alone
There's nary a buster from Texas to Nome
Can ride that strawberry roan
**********
8.
RE-RIDE
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Since I saw that rodeo in 1965
I had to try to be the greatest bareback rider alive
I went and did some practicing on pa's old ropin' mare
And I thought I'd take that bronc I'd drawed and really part it's hair
When they opened up the gate he did a double flip
Half way through the second one is when I lost my grip
I hooked my spurs into the d's and hung with all my might
I held my breath he chinned the moon and sucked back to the right
My boots came off and went a sailin' right up in the stands
My belt it broke and shattered my watch I lost my wedding band
I scattered all my cigarettes my shirt ripped down the back.
I sure was gettin' dizzy and I thought my neck would crack
I rode him several jumps with both hands high up in the air
He jumped into an old light pole we parted company there
I landed in some muddy slop he stomped right through my side
Nothin' ever busted me like that old pony ride
I couldn't seem to catch my breath I couldn't seem to hide
I hobbled back barefooted just a searchin' for my pride
And I just couldn't believe my achin' ears
When the announcer said re-ride re-ride re-ride
I've had enough for 20 men and he calls up re-ride re-ridere-ride
You'd think he got me good enough they give him one more try
**********
9.
SOMEDAY SOON
(Ian Tyson)
« © '63 WB Music, ASCAP »
There's a young man that I know just turned twenty-one
Come's from down in southern Colorado
Just out of the service lookin' for his fun
Someday soon going with him someday soon
Her parents cannot stand him cause he rides the rodeo
They say he's not her kind he'll leave her crying
If he asks she'll follow him down the toughest row to a hoe
Someday soon going with him someday soon
Oh when he visits her her pa ain't got one good thing to say
Got a hunch he was just as wild in his younger days
Oh blow you ole blue northern blow him back to her
He's likely driving back from California
He loves his damned ole rodeo as much as he loves her
Someday soon going with him someday soon
Oh blow you ole blue northern
Blow him back to her someday soon going with him someday soon
Someday soon going with him some day soon
**********
10.
NATIONAL FINALS RODEO
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
A rodeo's just a rodeo after riding several years
From ol' Cheyenne to Houston they never cause too much fear
But let me tell you about one that will chill your very soul
It happens in December when it's snowin' and it's cold
In Oklahoma City there's a building of concrete
It's where the toughest stock and men will gather and compete
The points have all been tallied and the stock has all been brought
We've got just two more hours cause it starts at eight o'clock
It's the Finals the NFR the Series of the sport
Hey rookie can you take ten head have you got the heart
You think you're a tough cowboy we'll find out in the end
When that final whistle blows and the stock's all in the pen
The coliseum's quiet except for the sounds
Of cowboys getting ready and the workmen of the grounds
The cowboys ask each other, what each other's got
Did you draw ol' Necklace or pluck old Double-Ought
The tension now is mounting as the crowd starts pouring in
A shiver goes all through me like from a cold cold wind
I hear the horses comin' runnin' down the alleyway
They're snortin' and a blowin' as men shut the sliding gates
It's the Finals the NFR...
We had too much time a while ago but not enough time now
The Anthem is now over the grand entry's going out
I sit there on my bronc I'm ready and I wait
I hear a chute gate open so I look out through the gate
A horse comes boiling out and blows up at the roof
And then there comes another kicking like a curly wolf
I hear the chute boss holler through the yelling of the crowd
He says there's one ahead of you so you'd better get screwed down
It's the Finals the NFR...
I nod my head, I'm in a daze the horse goes boiling out
I run my spurrs into his neck and then I drag 'em out
My mind is in a blur my eyes are seeing red
The flank catch slams into my back, his rump bangs on my head
From somewhere in the background I can hear a buzzer sound
My hand's jerked from the riggin and I crash into the ground
I stumble to my feet as I stagger to the wall
I wonder to myself is it really worth it all
It's the Finals the NFR...
**********
11.
ALBUM OUTRO
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '73 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Before we close out the album I'd like to thank these fine players
If you listen to any of the songs of the superstars of the recording business
The chance is at least on of these pickers was in on the session
The man on the drums Bill Harriss was responsible for getting all of them together for me
And my special thanks go to him for the long days he put in on this project
Bill is a hell of a competitor himself he drives race cars
I also want to thank writers for their new songs
Berke Tarleton out in California for Copenhagen Angel
Gil Milan a Nashville professional for The Scene We All Ain't Saw and Rodeo Trails
And Chimp Robertson of Dalhart Texas rancher Rider flyer bronc rider for the song Re-Ride
We made this tape especially for you the rodeo fans
Their available in many of the western stores or from the address on the label
Thanks for listening I'll see you somewhere out on the rodeo trail
**********