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Ballad Of Montana McCoy (Larry W Jones 09/19/2019) (song #7604)

I well recall the night when he strolled in
Weather was frigid from a new cold snap
I don’t rightly know just where to begin
An oilskin coat covered the tall bold chap
He stood at the long bar rail looking tired
Then ordered a shot and gazed all around
He was a wrangler whom some folks admired
But the look on his face was full of frown

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here

Then from his mouth came words quiet and low
Now, listen pards and I’ll tell you my tale
This man of the west packs a heavy load
And never more will I wrangle cow trails
I rode out of Billings and Alberton
All the way to Bridger and Yellowstone
But cattle trails have scarred this western son
And now on safer trails is where I’ll roam

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here

One awful day in the cold wind and rain
We were driving cattle quite far from town
There were five of us from Helena grange
And one young cowboy from Sheridan Mound
We were all cowboys who rode the far range
Never once did we stop to count the cost
But now when I think back it seems so strange
That on one bad day five good pals were lost

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here

The storm it caused a big cattle stampede
Hooves were heard pounding in the rain that poured
We rode like the wind, didn’t give no heed
That we might never see our homes no more
The lead cows were circled but none were slowed
While all of us hoped they would settle down
The whole herd looked like a river that flowed
Where a cowboy might fall and surely drown

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here

The cattle were ragin’ and runnin’ wild
We cowboys tried to get the upper hand
Along with the wild herd we too were riled
Riding like all good cowboys for the brand
When I awoke the night had turned to dawn
I dragged myself to my horse feeling sore
Then I cussed that herd over what they’d done
And vowed to never drive cattle no more

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here

Now, ever since that awful day and night
I’ve been roamin’ and tryin’ to forget
That wild stampede where we lost the fight
I can see the faces of lost pals yet
And sometimes at night when the moon is high
I can feel the wind tearing at my skin
I hear cowboys who never said goodbye
All five of them were like my next of kin

Here’s to those good cowboys now dead and gone
To all the pals that I hold dear
If anyone asks who must move along
Say Montana McCoy was here