"Horses and Cattle"
performed by Chris LeDoux on his "Rodeo & Living
Free" album, 1974.
written by Bob Frank, Painted Arrow Music (ASCAP)
transcribed by Diron Ahlquist
PLAY THIS IN 3/4 TIME WITH A NICE, STEADY "PLUCK, STRUM, STRUM" PATTERN.
[C]My home’s in Montana, I [F]wear a bandana,
My [C]spurs are silver, my horse is a [G]bay.
And [C]I’ve been a-roamin’ all [F]over Wyomin’,
There’s [C]plenty of work, but there [G]ain’t too much [C]pay.
[F]Me and a few boys we [C]signed on at Dubois,
To [C]feed through the winter and camp out a[G]while.
Come a [C]hard hittin’ norther from the [F]Montana border,
We [C]tallied the frozen ones [G]mile after [C]mile.
[C]Well they give you your three squares and a [F]bunk to sleep there,
And [C]just enough wages to keep you a[G]round.
But with [C]no place to spend it and [F]nowhere to send it,
You can [C]stay out of debt if you [G]stay out of [C]town.
CHORUS
It’s [F]horses and cattle and a [C]double rig saddle,
With a [C]stout line, a catch twine, and a good ropin’ [G]arm.
Wher[C]ever there’s ranches, I’ve been [F]takin’ my chances,
>From [C]sunrise to sunset since the [G]day I was [C]born.
[C]We struck out for Laramie [F]early one Saturday,
[C]Spring was a breakin’ the grass turnin’ [G]green.
Well, [C]I took a hand in some [F]fast movin’ brandin’,
When they [C]offered top wages at the [G]Bar Seven[C]teen.
We [F]followed a rodeo [C]clear up to Codeo,
[C]Tryin’ to ride me a bronco or [G]two.
Well, I [C]busted some hosses for [F]two or three bosses,
And [C]lost all the wages that [G]ever I [C]drew.
[C]Well it’s hell and high water for the [F]Idaho border,
Where [C]I’ve got a gal if that letter don’t [G]lie.
If she [C]gives me a reason to [F]stay through the season,
I’ll [C]take her to Elko when the [F]snow starts to [C]fly.
CHORUS
