A Cowboy’s Life
I’ve sure drove a lot of cattle Spent many an hour in the saddle I’ve been a working cowboy for several years During that time I’ve been nearly driven to tears I’ve almost lost my fingers in a dally Spent hours counting cows trying to get a tally I’ve fought all day trying to get cows to a pen And I hate to admit it but a few times the cows did win One or two horses I have flipped And several steers I have tripped I have worked many a day For not a whole lot of pay My bosses have always wanted to pay me a salary With minimum wage being what it is they can’t afford me hourly The life of a cowboy Is not filled with joy This way of life Can be hard on your wife It’s just not the way for everybody Really it shouldn’t be for anybody But when I’ve rode my horse half to death And we are both sure hunting for breath For I’ve taken this bunch a long way Been fighting with them all day I’ve got the whole herd right there by the pen When they decide they’re going to have to try me again Once more I ask my tired horse to spin on a dime I sure hope we can head them just one more time I ride to the front of the herd and turn the leaders back They all ball up and mill in a big nervous pack I can tell they’re getting ready to blow I’m just not sure which way they’re about to go Finally they make they’re break I head them and turn them toward the gate One of them goes through and into the pen Before long the rest follow and they’re all in I slowly ease my weight down out of the saddle I’m stiff and sore those cows sure gave me a battle I slap my tired horse on the neck and my heart fills full of pride There’s not to many horses that could have given me that good of a ride The only thing that makes me feel a little bad Is I know to get the job done he gave me all he had I sure hope he’s going to be all right And ready to go again by first light I step up on the fence to look over the top rail At the cattle milling in the bottom of the coral I smile and I think with nobody would I trade Shoot, I would probably do this even if I didn’t get paid Yes this life of a cowboy isn’t one filled with glory And sometimes this life can be a little bit gory And yes my cloths may be a little old and a little worn And in a few places well they’re sure torn But I know I’m one of the lucky few Who truly does love what they do

Verlin Pitt, Original Poetry
A Class Act


There have been some fights about animal rights and a sport called rodeo.
There are some folks tellin' good cowpokes to stop their wild west show.
That rope they pull might hurt that bull and cause him a lot of pain.
We'd all feel bad if they made him mad and what would anyone gain?

Then there's the broncs they ride that they kick in the side and rake hard with their spurs.
Broncriders are coarse when it comes to the horse and the pain he incurs.
The rider gains fame but it's a cryin' shame about the bronc he rode.
If you care in the least, think about the beast and not the rider he's gonna unload.

See the rider there flyin' through the air, the one with the hoof in his mouth.
You can tell of course that he's bitin' that horse on his journey South.
Such cruelty you will seldom see, anyplace but in a rodeo.
That rodeo clown who caught a horn goin' down, it's all a part of the show.

In the saddlebronc event, little time is spent on considerin' the horse's welfare.
When you're flyin' high up there in the sky, there's plenty of time to care.
That thumpin' sound when the rider hits the ground is the sound of teeth bitin' dirt.
Before you pick a side in this wild ride, consider who was really hurt.

Then it's back to that clown who's runnin' around teasin' that poor old bull.
They say he makes good money, but it ain't that funny when he gives it's ear a pull.
It caused some hearts to fail when he grabbed it's tail and went along for the ride.
But the curtain came down when the bull caught the clown and stuck a horn in his side.

An eight second ride on a big bull's hide can be a real thrill,
But it's an even bet you'd best not forget he's wearin' horns that'll kill.
If the mental state of a bull ain't on the list you pull, will you feel guilt?
Are you way behind on a horse's state of mind, is that the way you're built?

Those who say they care about a bull's welfare should take an honest look.
That old bull will soon be full and drinkin' cool water from a babblin' brook.
That noble steed will be eatin' oat seed and standin' in tall grass.
Rodeo stock are a stockman's flock and he treats 'em like high class.