THREE ALBERTA COWBOY SONGS

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The hardships of being a homesteader. “It rained and hailed all summer and we never raised a thing!” Great fun.

“Oh, pity the cowboy, all bloody and red – for his bronco fell on him and mashed in his head!”

“He’s goin’ to git a new outfit sellin’ gopher tails next fall.”

featuring Chronos Vocal Ensemble – CD available

LYRICS

Alberta Homesteader
It was way out west in Alberta
where the coyotes howl and sing;
where it rained and hailed all summer
and we never raised a thing.

Oh I came out here one summer
away out in the west
I think I’ll turn around and go back
or I will starve to death

We traveled through Battle Lake Valley
through muskeg, mud and mire
‘till we came where they were surveying
a road for the C.P.R

Well, he built a little log cabin
a roof of natural clay;
dear friends I’m sorry to tell you
I’m bound for the U.S. of A.

Farewell to the poor homesteader
farewell to the land so free
Farewell to sunny Alberta
It’s too damn cold for me.

Blood on the Saddle

There was blood on the saddle
and blood all around
and a great big puddle of blood on the ground

The cowboy lay in it
all covered with gore
and he won’t be riding no broncos no more

Oh, pity the cowboy
all bloody and red
for his bronco fell on him and mashed in his head

Flunk Jim
I am the flunky of the house,

they call me Flunky Jim
You’ll find me knocking around the yard in a hat without a brim
My overalls are shabby
and I have no shirt at all
But I’m going to get a new outfit with my gopher tails next fall.

Oh, knocking around the yard, boys,
knocking around the yard,
It isn’t such an easy job,
don’t fool yourself, old pard
My overalls are shabby
and I have no shirt at all
But I’m going to get a new outfit with my gopher tails next fall.

At night when Pa comes from the fields,
he calls for Flunky Jim
He pats me on my curly head
and my hat without a brim.
He’s apt to say, “Oh, Flunky Jim,
your clothes are far too small.”
But I’m going to get a new outfit
with my gopher tails next fall.

I counted all my gopher tails,
I almost have enough
To buy a hat, a fancy shirt,
and pants that have a cuff.
And then I’ll hand my old ones down – they really are too small.
Oh, I’ll be swell when once I sell my gopher tails next fall.