Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley)

Subject: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: GUEST,Tom Smith
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:07 AM

Hello friends,
I have been singing this song for years, and it is time I finally gave credit to the author. Is a spoof on traditional cowboy songs, to the tune of the Texas Rangers. First verse:

I am an old cow puncher
I punch those cows so hard
I've got me a cow punching bag
Way out in my back yard
This bag is made of leather
And so are cows of course
When I get tired of punching cows
I go and punch my horse.

Can anyone tell me who wrote this?
Thank you. Great forum.
-Tom

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Jeri
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:14 AM

I have an old Pick'n' & Sing'n' Gather'n' songbook as "1970 Genny Haley ..'The Folknik'".

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: GUEST,Tom Smith
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:20 AM

Thank you, Jeri. Gee... I went to some of those gatherings, and I recall an old beat up VW (microbus I think) parked next to mine at the Fox Hollow grounds. Memorable as the license plate read "FOLKNIK". Shared a few songs with her that night amongst the mosquitoes. I wish I knew then what I know now.
-Tom

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: CET
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 12:18 PM

I've heard this sung with more verses. Can anybody supply them?

Subject: Lyr Add:THE BALLAD OF THE COWPUNCHER (G Haley)^^^
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 01:21 PM

1
I am an old cowpuncher, I punch the cows so hard
I have me a cowpunching bag, set up in my back- (yard)
The bag is made of leather, and so are the cows, of course
When I get tired of punching cows, I go and punch a- (horse).

2
One day as I was punching upon my leathern cow
An Indian walked up to me, and first he asked me- (how)
I said it was quite simple, and gave him quite a slug
The very next words that the Indian said to me that day were- (ugh)

3
I went back to my punching, as all good cowboys do
When a well-known band of rustlers came rustling into- ( )
I said, Hello, how are you, and what might bring you here
They said, if it's all right we'd like to rustle up some- (beer)

4
I said, oh, no, kind sirs, that should never be
For I am the best cowpuncher out on the whole prair- (ie)
But if you will sit down a spell, I'll rustle up some lunch
Then maybe in the afternoon you'll get to watch me- (punch)

5
I've been lonesome in the saddle ever since my old horse died
And sometimes when it's late at night, I dream she's my- (bride)
So if you'll pay attention and listen to my song
I am an old cowpuncher and a long way from- ( )

The audience was supposed to fill in the ( ).


Cowpuncher

Q's source is in Digital Tradition format, so it's clear this version came from the Digital Tradition.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 01:24 PM

Gee! This is in numachi digital mirror, so it already is in Mudcat.
Search, boys, search!

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Jeri
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 01:27 PM

It's in the DT, Edmund.

Seems like someone was having a bit of fun. 'I dream she's by my [side]' was the original.

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 02:43 PM

I filled in my own choices. I prefer (bride), but she didn't specify the sex of the horse.

Wound be interesting to see other choices by mudcats.

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: GUEST,Gerry
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 07:14 PM

Recorded by Barrand and Roberts on the Live at Holstein's album.

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Charley Noble
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 08:47 PM

These are the verses I've been using for some time; I dropped verse two:


By West-Coast singer Genny Haley
Circa 1960's
Adapted by Charlie Ipcar in 2001
Tune: Plains of the Buffalo
Key: Cm(5/Gm)
The Ballad of the Cowpuncher


I am an old cow-puncher, I punch them cows so hard,
I have me a cow-punching bag, set up in my back yard,
That bag is made of leather, and so are cows of course,
When I get tired of punching cows, I go out and punch me horse.

One day as I was punching cows, as all good cowboys do,
A well-known band of ru-st-lers, came rustling into view,
I said, "Hello, how are you, and what might bring you here?"
They said, "If it's all right with you, we'll rustle up a steer?"

I said, "Oh, no, kind sirs, that can never be,
For I am the best cow-puncher, upon the whole prairie,
And I would never have it said I gave you a bum steer,
But if you will sit down a spell, I'll rustle up some beer."

I've been lonesome in the saddle ever since my old horse died,
And sometimes, when it's late at night, I dream she's by my side,
Them nightmares keep me up all night and caused me for to roam,
I am an old cowpuncher and a long, long way from home.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am and Old Cow Puncher
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 31 Aug 08 - 10:42 PM

Texas Rangers, Plains of the buffalo-
When I saw it, Sweet Betsy from Pike started going through my head.
Haley used Buffalo Skinners, which fits well.

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 09:46 AM

Q-

I believe Buffalo Skinners and Plains(sic) of the Buffalo are the same tune:

"We left old Crego's bones to bleach on the range of the buffalo!"

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 02:33 PM

Anybody know anything about Genny Haley? The DT has "Ginny Haley" as the songwriter. Roberts/Barrand seem to be using the tune I know as Texas Ranger, which I guess is the same as Buffalo Skinners.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher (Genny Haley?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 03:09 PM

Joe-

I've been wondering about Haley as well.

I believe she also composed the sister song "I Can't Get Off of My Horse."

I learned them about the same time while I was out in Michigan.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher (Genny Haley?)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 03:28 PM

Charley, I think it has been reasonably established that I Can't Get Offa My Horse/Glue on the Saddle was written by Morey Amsterdam, or Dick Van Dyke Show fame.

-Joe-

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher (Genny Haley?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 04:15 PM

Joe-

You are correct about "Glue on the Saddle":

By Morey Amsterdam © 1946
Recorded by The Modernaires on THE COMPLETE MODERNAIRES on Colombia, Vol. 2 (1946-1947), Collectables CD #7470 2002

The two songs do, however, belong in the same horse opera.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: I Am an Old Cow Puncher (Genny Haley?)
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 01 Sep 08 - 04:15 PM

She worked with others at times.
From The Bay Years, vol. 1; La Valse de Bayou Teche (pd) from Bay 217, "Ladies Choice" by Any Old Time [String Band]. 1980, Sue Draheim-fiddle, Kate Brislin-lead vocal & guitar, Genny Haley - harmony vocal and triangle, Barbara Montoro-bass, Will Scarlett-harmonica. Arhoolie Records.
At www.suedraheim.com/sdgallery.htm, scroll down and there is a rather poor photo of her with three others.
The "Ballad of the Cowpuncher," a clip on the John Roberts and Tony Barrand cd "Live at Holsteins!"

Earl Scheelar's Zenith Jazz Band. Dist. by City Hall, personnel included Genny Haley-vocals.

She wrote "Some Days You Just Can't Win," which is on a Jane Voss "Get to the Heart" cd.

No bio. found.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 12:28 PM

The Folk Music Index lists Genny Haley as a member of the Any Old Time String Band, and as a side performer with Helen Schneyer and Bill Steele.

Here's a 1977 photo.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley)
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Apr 09 - 01:42 PM

The Helen Scheyner album says nothing about those who helped her on it, but Helen's daughter who was also on the album lives in the DC area, and 'might' know something. If I can contact her, I'll post something. Ed Trickett and Gordon Bok also sang on a couple of tracks, but it's not clear who knew whom or when tracks were recorded.
(I assume Genny also lived here at one time...but, it's an old album....)

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley
From: Suzy T.
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 01:49 AM

Genny was in Any Old Time in the 1970s; I know she wrote Cowpuncher before that. She has also written some fantastic more serious songs. "Sad But True" which was written in the late 1970s was recorded by Laurie Lewis on the "Blue Rose" album, and again by Kate Brislin (also of Any Old Time) and Katie Moffat on their "Sleepless Nights".

Genny is not doing too much music these days but occasionally emerges from near Chico where she lives and works as a family therapist, and raises llamas. We had an Any Old Time String Band reunion last year and everyone agreed that she was the star!
Suzy Thompson

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley
From: Charley Noble
Date: 11 Apr 09 - 10:04 AM

Suzy-

Genny is still a star on this forum!

Charley Noble

Subject: Lyr Add: THE NEW OLD COWPUNCHER (Tom Smith)
From: woodyguth3
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 07:51 PM

Hi folks,
I thought I'd revisit this old thread to post some new words I wrote to this song. Was pondering ways to reduce my carbon footprint. :) Enjoy.

THE NEW OLD COWPUNCHER
New words: Tom Smith, TomSmithMusic.com

I am an old cow puncher; I'm known the world around.
I see you are a rustler, 'cause you rustled into town.
How do you do, young feller? Sit down and have some lunch,
And while you drink your coffee, you can watch me punch

These are good times for punchers, with the price of oil so dear.
I'm a harvester of methane; it doesn't take much gear.
I just fill my cows with green beans; I bring them with my cart.
I stick a hose in their behinds; I punch them and they fart.

I run my car on methane I gather from my cows.
I convert it into power with which I heat my house.
In eco-bovine rhythm, they bloat, then they deflate—
A perfect symbiosis: I punch; they flatulate.

But it's lonesome in the saddle ever since my old horse died.
I have no friends nor fam'ly to ride here by my side.
My pungent occupation drove them from my home.
I am an old cow puncher; I punch my cows alone.

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley)
From: Charley Noble
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 08:12 PM

Tom-

Your new lyrics bring tears to my ancient eyes; and I thought them sentimental wells had all dried up!

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: Origins: Ballad of the Cowpuncher (Genny Haley)
From: katlaughing
Date: 27 Dec 11 - 11:12 PM

Well done, Tom!