New Deal String Band - THE TENDERFOOT Lyrics

1: One day I thought Id have some fun
Id see how punchin cows was done
Solpeno round up had begun
Id tackle the cattle king.
Says he my foremans gone to town
Hes in the saloon his name is Brown
Just speak to him hell take you down
Says I thats just the thing.

2: We started out for the ranch next day
Brown he talked to me most of the way
Says punchin cows is nothin but play
It is no work at all
He said all you have to do is ride
Its just like swimming with the tide
That son of a bitch oh how he lied
He certainly had his gall.

3: They saddled me up on an old grey hack
With a big old saddle fast to his back
They padded him down with a gunny sack
And with my bedding on.
When I got on him he left the ground
Went up in the air and twisted around
When we came down I busted the ground
I had one hell of a fall.

4: They picked me up and they carried me in
They rubbed me down with an old stake pin
Says thats the way they all begin
Youre doin fine says Brown.
Tomorrow morning if you dont die
Well give you a brand new horse to try.
Oh say can I walk says I.
Says Brown - yes back to town.

5: Ive travelled up and Ive travelled down
Ive travelled this whole wide world around
Ive lived in city and Ive lived in town
and Ive got this much to say.
Before you start cowpunchin kiss your wife
Take a great big insurence out on your life
Then cut your throat with a butchers knife
Its easier done that way.