Classic Poem

Ropin' of yearlin's and tyin' 'em down,
Wrastlin' of steers so the folks from town
Once in their lives gits a chance fer to see
Wild “hook 'em cowboys” like you and like me.

Straddlin' of broncos jest out of the chutes,
Forkin' 'em bareback like Injun Piutes,
Rakin' the shoulders of bellerin' steers,
Hearin' the audience whoopin' their cheers.

Milkin' wild cows and a-ridin' wild mules,
Wearin' silk shirts and a'yellin' like fools,
Cowboys is in from the ranches in dozens
Whoopin' 'em up fer their city cousins.

Dancin' all night and a-raisin' the deuce,
Millin' the streets like a loco cayuse—
Seems kinder funny fer us quiet boys
To raise so much rumpus and rouse so much noise!

Buckin' the contests we play at a battle
Learned on the ranges a-workin' with cattle.
What we put on ain't no circusy show,
It's workaday stuff, this here wild rodeo!

Makin' a game of rough skill and of muscles,
Lettin' America witness our tussels
Born of frontierin' and dear to the hearts
Of every old waddy in these western parts.

Rodeo time is fer rompin' and rarin'
Ridin' and ropin' and doin' yer darin'—
They say the cowboy is doomed fer to go—
Hi-yip! We've still got the ol' rodeo!