THIRTY DOLLAR COWBOY
(ACS ACS-17001)
1983
Produced by Al LeDoux
Recorded:
Music City Music Mill, Nashville
Woodland Sound Studios, Nashville
1.
THEY COULDN'T UNDERSTAND MY COWBOY SONGS
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
I left home with a suitcase my songs and my guitar
Headed down to Nashville gonna try to be a star
The Nashville folks they made me feel like I was right at home
But they couldn't understand my cowboy songs
They said son you've got potential and we'd like to see you stay
But you've gotta change your style cause cowboy songs don't sell these days
I tried my hand at cheatin' heart and cryin' in my beer
And I think about home and wonder what am I doin' here
But I'd really like to thank ya'll for your hospitality
You know I really mean it you've been mighty good to me
But this ol country boy ain't where he's suppose to be
And this Wyoming cowboy don't belong in Nashville Tennessee
Well there's just too many miles and styles between us I suppose
The kind of songs I'm singin' won't fit in down here I know
I kind of got the feeling it was time to move along
When Ed Bruce sang The Last Cowboy Song
So I'm going back to the country where the west is still alive
Where cowboy's ride the prairie and the mountains touch the sky
I pack up my old guitar and I'll be on my way
But before I go I'd just like to say
Well I'd really like to thank...
Well this Wyoming cowboy don't belong in Nashville Tennessee
**********
2.
IT AIN'T THE YEARS IT'S THE MILES
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
I walked behind the chute, strapped my spurs to my boots
At that big Rodeo in Cheyenne
Feelin' tired and sore for a ride the day before
And a thousand other rides since I began
As I climbed up the gate I heard that young cowboy sayin'
Well, that ole man ain't gonna ride and I had to smile
I said son it ain't age that makes me look this way
It ain't the years boy it's the miles
It ain't the years that I've known that have taken their toll
Cause they've been few
If you took all the mashin's the draggin's and the crashin's
You'd probably look the same way I do
It's the million miles of road and gettin' snatched around and throwed
That finally put the cramp in my style it ain't the years boy it's the miles
Went on and made my ride only scored a sixty-five
But you know what really made my day complete
Was when I looked up just in time to see that young cowboy goin' flyin'
And land in a pile at my feet
And as the first aid came to haul him away I said son you'll be
Alright in a little while
He's on his way to findin' out what it's all about
It ain't the years boy it's the miles
It ain't the years that I've known that've taken their toll
Cause they've been few
If you took all the mashin's...
It ain't age that makes me look this way it ain't the years boy it's the miles
**********
3.
GREATEST PRIZE
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
I rodeoed on the circuit for nearly fifteen years
To reach the top it took a lot of blood sweat and tears
I finally won the title I finally gained the fame
But honey it don't matter if the whole world knows my name
Of all the things I've ever done I have to tell you true
The greatest prize I've ever won is the love I won from you
You stuck by me through thick and thin just why Lord only knows
You came along when I sang my songs at all those country shows
And when the lights were shining on me and me alone
You stood back in the shadows but I want you to know
Of all the things I've ever done...
Of all the things I've ever done...
**********
4.
CALL OF THE WILD
(Chris Ledoux - Tony Bassire)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Storm clouds a building above the timber line
Lightning flashing across the mountain side
Thunder rolling down the canyons of his mind
Somewhere beyond the Great Divide
The bugle of the Bull Elk echoes thru the pines
The North wind moans her lonesome lullaby
He hungers for the freedom of an eagle as she glides
Somewhere beyond the Great Divide
He's heard the call of the wild he's heard the call of the wild
The mountains callin' to him like a mother calls her child
He's heard the call of the wild
Living in the city oh it gets to be a grind putting in his hours working overtime
Waiting for the day he can leave it all behind to go somewhere beyond the Great Divide
He's got to get away from the city for a while he's got to answer the call of the wild
He's heard the call of the wild...
He's heard the call of the wild he's heard the call of the wild
**********
5.
THIRTY DOLLAR COWBOY
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
I'm just a workin' cowboy this ranch I'm on ain't mine
But I got a bed in the bunk houseand a place come supper time
I don't get much for wages but it's good enough for me
Maybe I don't own this place but mister I've got the key
Just a thirty dollar cowboy and I ride the lone prairie
The good Lord knows I'm happy cause I'm where I want to be
Well I ain't got much of nothing but I got about all I need
Just a thirty dollar cowboy with a million dollar dream
Someday I'm gonna buy a place that I can call my own
Find me a pretty lady and build us a little home
Until that day I'm gonna save all the wages I can
Who knows I may just buy this place and stay right where I am
Just a thirty dollar cowboy...
Just a thirty dollar cowboy...
I'm just a thirty dollar cowboy with a million dollar dream
**********
6.
THERE'S A RODEO IN MONTANA
(Bob Frank - Gary McMahan)
« © '84 Cletus Haegert Publishing, BMI »
There's a rodeo in Montana where they come from miles around
Where they throw the hooligan and a bunch of beer cans
All over that little cow town from Friday night to Sunday afternoon
The party goes on nonstop
Ranch hands and rodeo fans are drinking up the very last drop
And they all head for Montana at the foot of the Great Divide
To tie one up or tie one onor to tear it down or ride
So if you're lookin' for a rondavue where the Wild West never dies
You best make it on up to Montana on the right day in July
Now there's some college boys for lazuli here school is just let out
They got a keg of beer on a tub of ice in the back of a brand new Scout
Well they're all longhorns and as sure as you're born
They'll be checkin' those honey's out
And the girls in the cut off jeans might just show 'em what its all about
And there's Indians from the ranches all dressed up in cowboy clothes
Snap button shirts and silver belt buckles and boots with pointed toes
Short hair Stetson hats wiggin' on a jug of Yellow Stone
Well they look more like cowboys then the cowboys I have known
And there's some hippies here from God knows where a puffin' up a cloud of smoke
They got hair down past their shoulders and their clothes are a national joke
They got beads and leather and bells and feathers and moccasins for shoes
Well they look more like Indians than the real live Indians do
And then there's barrel racers and a bull riders and bronc stompers to boot
Struttin' their stuff like Peacocks out in back of the chutes
Tight Levis fancy chaps spurs with five star rowels
And the bull just stands there chewin' his cut lookin' wiser than a tree full of owls
And they all head for Montana...
**********
7.
LAST SUNSET
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Cowboy you're like a Mustang driftin' with the wind
Riding clear of fences that might close you in
Your wild restless spirit keeps you searchin' for higher ground
You don't get close to brandin' fires you'll never be tied down
Last night the lady she took you by suprise
Threw a loop around your heart when she looked into your eyes
Branded by the tender touch of her soft gentle hand
Now this hard ridin' cowboy this wild driftin' cowboy
Will never ride into the sunset again
The night wind through the canyon makes such a mournful sound
Freedom your old partner well he just let you down
It's snowing on the mountain the trail is snowing in
You try to fight the feeling but cowboy you'll never win
Last night the lady...
This hard ridin' cowboy this wild driftin' cowboy
He'll never ride into the sunset again
**********
8.
COWBOY'S GOT THE RIDE
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
Well you mama finds it hard to understand
Why her lovin' son wants to be a rodeo man
And your daddy had a whole lotta great big plans for you
You hate to disappoint him but you gotta other things to do
Now your best girl thinks it's time you settle down
You finally graduated and she's ready for a wedding gown
But there's a great big world just waintin' out there for you
And if she really loves you she can wait another year or two
And nobody really knows how you feel inside
The road gets rough and the goin' gets tough but you know you've gotta try
And there ain't no way they're ever gonna change your mind
Don't everybody know that a cowboys got to ride
Now your high school buddies say man you've gone insane
Don't you know rodeo is a crazy foolish game
But you can see in their eyes a little jealousy
They're all workin' nine to five you're footloose and fancy free
And nobody really knows...
Don't everybody know that a cowboys got to ride
**********
9.
WILL ROGERS OKLAHOMA COWBOY
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
He was born and raised in Oklahoma
His blood lines were white and Cherokee
His daddy owned a ranch outside of Clairmore
Where he learned to ride before the age of three
Now young Will Rogers was a cowboy
And he practiced with his rope most everyday
He'd ride around the barn or cross the prarie
And threw a rope around any thug that came his way
Yes Will Rogers was a country boy one of Oklahoma's favorite sons
The nation clamied him as their pride and joy but his roots were deep in Oklahoma sod
Before too long he had his fill of schooling
At eighteen years he got the urge to roam
A whole great big world wass out there waiting
So he saddled up and lit out on his own
Well he wrangled some ranches down in Texas
And he punched some cows out in New Mexico
Then he nearly starved to death in Argentina
In Africa he joined a wild west show
Yes Will Rogers was a country boy...
From the early days of Vaudeville to the big time
Folks that knew him said that he'd never change
He was still the simple Oaklahoma cowboy
No matter what he always stayed the same
I suppose most of all he loved the people
Said he never met a man he didn't like
When times were hard and folks were feeling sorry
A word from Will would always bring a smile
Yes Will Rogers was a country boy...
**********
10.
TAKE ME BACK TO OLD WYOMING
(Chris Ledoux)
« © '84 Lehsem Songs, BMI »
The nights get mighty lonesome out here on the road
Pickin' this old guitar a thousand miles from home
The songs tonight I'm singin' Lord they nearly make me cry
Take me back to old Wyoming and the lady with the emerald eyes
Take me back to old Wyoming I've been away too long
I want to hear the meadow lark singin' this cowboy's favorite song
I want to saddle up old paint and just ride him out across the hills
I belong in old Wyoming and I reckon that I always will
Everytime that I pack my suitcase it gets harder to drive away
The look that I see in my little girls eyes is beggin' me to stay
And I get that lonesome feeling before I'm even gone
But with everyday that passes I'm gettin' closer to goin' home
Take me back to old Wyoming...
**********