Lyr Req: The Man with the Big Hat (Steve Fromholz)

Subject: Lyrics req: The Man in the Big Hat
From: TequilaRon
Date: 27 Jul 98 - 06:23 PM

I am looking for lyrics to a song in which the chorus contains the lines: "The man in the big hat is buying , so drink up while the drinking is free. Drink to my compadres a dead and a-dying. Drink to my compadres and me." I heard this song performed by Milton Carroll in the late sixties, but Milton disappearred into the wilds of Texas before I could learn it. Any info on Milton Carroll or these lyrics would be appreciated. Thanks Ron

Subject: RE: Lyrics req: The Man in the Big Hat
From:
Date: 27 Jul 98 - 10:50 PM

As I recall, Oneonta, NY's native son Jerry Jeff Walker recorded the song at some point. YOu might check the COWPIE lyric site for the full lyrics. Hope this helps!! JESTER!

Subject: Lyr Add: THE MAN WITH THE BIG HAT (Steve Fromholz)
From: Ralph Butts
Date: 28 Jul 98 - 07:32 AM

Ron/Jester...Jerry Jeff does a nice version of this.... Tiger

THE MAN WITH THE BIG HAT — Steve Fromholz

Narrator
In a bar in Arizona on a sultry summer day
A cowboy came in off the road just to pass the time away
He pulled a stool up to the bar and pushed his hat back on his head
I listened to the stories told to the words that cowboy said. He said...

Cowboy
I could tell you stories 'bout the Indians on the plain,
Talk about Wells Fargo and the comin' of the trains,
Talk of the slaughter of the buffalo that roamed,
Sing a song of settlers, come out looking for a home.

CHORUS (both)
Now the man with the big hat is buying,
Drink up while the drinking is free.
Drink up to the cowboys a-dead or a-dying,
Drink to my compadres and me.
Drink to my compadres and me.

Narrator
Well his shirt was brown and faded and his hat was wide and black,
And the pants that once were blue were gray and had a pocket gone in back.
He had a finger missin' from the hand that rolled the smoke,
He laughed and talked of cowboy life but you knew it weren't no joke, he said....

Cowboy
I seen the day so hot your pony could not stand,
And if your water bag was dry, don't count upon the land,
And winters, I've seen winters when your boots froze in the snow,
And your only thought was leavin', but you had nowhere to go.

CHORUS

Narrator
Well he rested easy at the bar, his foot upon the rail,
And laughed and talked of times he'd had out living on the trail.
The silence was never broken as the words poured from his lips,
Quiet as the forty-five he carried on his hip, he said...

Cowboy
I rode the cattle drive from here to San Antone,
Ten days in the saddle you know, and weary to the bone.
I rode from here to Wichita without a woman's smile,
The campfire where I cooked my beans was the only light for miles.

CHORUS

Narrator
Well he rolled another cigarette, as he turned toward the door.
I heard his spurs a jingling as his boot heels hit the floor.
He loosened up his belt a notch, pulled his hat down on his head,
As he turned to say goodbye to me this is what he said....

Cowboy
Now the high-lines chase the highways, and the fences close the range,
And to see a working cowboy, that's a sight that's mighty strange,
But a cowboy's life was lonely, and his lot was not the best,
But if it hadn't been for men like me, there wouldn't be no west.

CHORUS

Subject: RE: Lyrics req: The Man in the Big Hat
From:
Date: 28 Jul 98 - 10:45 AM

Jester and Ralph Much obliged for the input. I can't believe I've missed JJW doing this. You have ended a twenty year search. Thanks mightily. May all your margaritas be made with gold tequila. Ron

Subject: RE: Lyrics req: The Man in the Big Hat
From: Joe Offer
Date: 28 Jul 98 - 07:55 PM

The version I'm familiar with is a duet with Jerry Jeff Walker and Willie Nelson on Jerry Jeff's "Live at Gruene Hall" CD. Click here for a RealAudio clip. Great rendition of a great song.
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Man with the Big Hat (Steve Fromholz)
From: GUEST
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 01:28 AM

The original, by the author and Dan McCrimmon, is on an album from about 1969 entitled "Frummox." Gary Thomas, Austin, Texas

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Man with the Big Hat (Steve Fromholz)
From: open mike
Date: 27 Apr 11 - 04:29 PM

here is a you tube clip of the song
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lARZg-fzFt0&feature=related
also check out his BEAR song!
here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otVSSPJoR8c

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: The Man with the Big Hat (Steve Fromholz)
From: open mike
Date: 30 Apr 11 - 09:33 AM

www.stevenfromholz.com
here is his website and
this is from wikipedia

"Steven Fromholz (born June 8, 1945) is an entertainer, known mostly as a singer and songwriter.

Born in Temple, Texas, Fromholz began performing while he was serving in the United States Navy during the 1960s. After leaving the Navy, he teamed with Dan McCrimmon to create the group Frummox.[1] Fromholz also has played with Stephen Stills and Rick Roberts before going solo.

Over the years, many respected musicians have recorded songs written by Fromholz. Most notable among these are Willie Nelson singing "I'd Have to be Crazy" and Lyle Lovett singing "Texas Trilogy" and "Bears." Other artists that have recorded his songs include Hoyt Axton, John Denver, and Jerry Jeff Walker.

In addition to singing and songwriting, Fromholz has dabbled in acting, playwriting, poetry, record producing, narrating, jingle-writing, and whitewater river guiding. In 2007, he was named Poet Laureate of the State of Texas by the Texas State Legislature.[2] His latest book is Steven Fromholz: New and Selected Works.

He has two daughters, Darcie (to whom the song "Dear Darcie" is dedicated) and Felicity (for whom his record label, Felicity Records, is named)."