Origins: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero

Subject: ADD Version: Billy Venero (from Marty Robbins)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Aug 22 - 05:46 PM

Here's the Marty Robbins recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l3wLzLLLOs


BILLY VENERO
(as recorded by Marty Robbins)

In an Arizona town one day
Bill Venero heard them say
That a band of Apache Indians
Were on the trail that way
Heard them tell of murder done
Three men killed at Rocky Run
"They're in danger at the cow ranch"
Said Venero under his breath!

Nearly forty miles away
Was a little place that lay
In a deep and shady valley
In the mighty wilderness
Half a score of homes were there
And in one a maiden fair
Held the heart of Bill Venero
Bill Venero's Little Bess.

So no wonder he grew pale
When he heard the cowboy's tale
Of the men that he'd seen murdered
There at Rocky Run
Sure as there's a God above
I will save the girl I love
By that love I hold for Bessie
I will see that somethin's done!

Not one minute he delayed
When this brave resolve was made
"But, man," his comrades told him
When they heard his daring plan
"You are riding straight to death!"
But he answered, "Save your breath,
I may never reach the cow ranch
But I'll do the best I can."

As he crossed the alkali
All his thoughts flew on ahead
To the little band at Cow Ranch
Thinking not a danger near
With his quirt's unceasing whirl
And the jingle of his spurs
Little Chapo bore the cowboy
O'er the far away frontier.

Sharp and dear a rifle shot
Woke the echoes of the spot
"I am wounded," cried Venero
As he swayed from side to side.
"While there's life there's always hope
Slowly onward I will lope
If we fail to reach the Cow Ranch
Bessie Lee will know I tried."

Then at dusk a horse of brown
Wet with sweat came panting down
The little lane at Cow Ranch
Stopped in front of Bessie's door.
But the cowboy was asleep
And his slumber was so deep
Little Bess could never wake him
Though she tried forever more.

You have heard this story told
By the young and by the old
How the Indians killed Venero
On his way to Rocky Run.
Many years have passed away
And the maiden's hair is gray
But still she places roses
On Bill Venero's grave...

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: kendall
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 04:15 PM

This takes me back to my teens when I first learned it. It's my favorite cowboy song, and I don't mind telling you there is a tear in my old eyes.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: kendall
Date: 14 Apr 17 - 04:08 PM

After he said save your breath... as he crossed the alkali all his thoughts flew on ahead to the little lane and the cow ranch thinking not of danger near. With his quirt's unceasing whirl and the jingle of his spurs little Shapo bore the cowboy o're the far away frontier.
Lower and lower sank the sun, he drew rein at Rocky Run, "Here those men met death my Shappo and he stroked his glossy mane.
So shall they we go to warn ar'e the coming of the morn, if I fail God bless my Bessy and he felt the cold tears start.
Sharp and clear a rifle shot woke the echoes' of the spot, "I'm wounded cried Venero and he swayed from side to side.
I will save he yet he cried, little Bess will know I tried and for her sake he halted in the shadow of a hill.
From a limb a twig he broke and he dipped his pen of oak from the warm blood that was spurting from a wound above his heart.
Then he made his message fast love's first message and the last, to the saddle horn he tied it and his lips were white with pain.
Take this message if not me, straight to little Bessy Lee then he tied himself in the saddle and gave his horse the rein.

Just at dusk a horse of brown wet with sweat came prancing down the little lane at the cow ranch and he stopped at Bessies door.
But the cowboy was asleep and his slumber was so deep Little Bess could never wake him if she tried for ever more.

You have heard the story told by the young and by the old, down yonder at the cow ranch the night the Apacies came. Of the sharp and bloody fight how the Chief fell in the fight, and the panic stricken warriors when they heard Veneros name.
And their heaven on earth between keeps a little flower green that little Bess had planted 'are they laid her by his side..

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 18 Feb 14 - 09:19 AM

The original poem THE RIDE OF PAUL VENAREZ by Eben E. Rexford has been reprinted many times and is easily found with Google if you get the spelling right.

It has even been posted here at Mudcat in its own thread: Lyr Add: The Ride of Paul Venarez (Eben E. Rexford

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 07:38 PM

Is the Maxwell version from his recording?

Subject: ADD Version: Billy Venero
From: GUEST,Hambonehoney
Date: 16 Feb 14 - 07:01 PM

Here is the way that Billie Maxwell sings it in Billy Venero parts I&II. Similar to what was posted above, but I made some corrections.


BILLY VENERO
(as recorded by Billie Maxwell)

Billy Venero heard them say in a Arizona town one day,
That a band of Apache indians were upon the trail of death.

Heard them tell of murder done three men killed at Rocky Run.
"They're in danger at the cow-ranch" said Venero under breath.

Cow-ranch, forty miles away was a little place that lay,
In a green and shady valley of that mighty wilderness.

Half a score of homes were there and in one a maiden fair,
Held the heart of Billy Venero, Billy Venero's little Bess.

Then no wonder he grew pale when he heard the cowboy's tale,
Of a man that they'd seen murdered the day before at Rocky Run.

Not a moment he delayed when his brave resolve was made.
"Why, man," his comrades told him when they heard of his daring plan.

"You are riding straight to death" but he answered "save your breath.
I may never reach the cow-ranch but I'll do the best I can."

Sharp and clear a rifle shot, woke the echoes of the spot,
"I am wounded" cried Venero, as he swayed from side to side.

"Where there's life there's always hope, slowly onward I will lope.
If I fail to reach the cow-ranch, Bessie Lee shall know I tried."

From a limb a pen he broke and he dipped his pen of oak,
In the warm blood that was spurting from a wound above his heart.

"Rouse" he wrote "before too late, Apache warriors lie in wait.
Good-bye Bess God bless you darling," and he felt the cold tears start.

Then he wrote his message fast, love's first message and the last,
To the saddle horn he tied it, and his lips were white with pain.

"Take this message, if not me, straight to little Bessie Lee."
Then he tied himself to the saddle and he gave his horse the reins.

Just at dusk a horse of brown wet with sweat came panting down
The little lane at the cow-ranch and stopped in front of Bessie's door.

But the cowboy was asleep and his slumbers were so deep
Little Bessie could not wake him though she tried for evermore.

You have heard that story told by the young and by the old,
Way down yonder at the cow-ranch the night the Apaches came.

Of that fierce and bloody fight, how the chief fell in the flight
And the panic-stricken warriors when they heard Venero's name.

God, heaven and earth between keep the little flowers so green
That little Bessie had planted as they laid her by his side.

Billie Maxwell recording:

Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b53OS-_1vvE
Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFbfpXQS1Xo

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 07 May 11 - 01:57 PM

Note from "The Ballad Index.
"Logsdon notes a complicated story here. He states that Eben E. Rexford published "The Ride of Paul Venerez" in 1881. But it was in 1882 (July 17) that the White Mountain Apaches broke out of their reservation. Riders did bring warning of the outbreak, which allowed the settlers to protect the Burch Ranch near Payson, Arizona."
"There is no documentation of a rider named Billy Venero so while the Rexford poem was probably adapted to the Arizona situation, the details are anything but clear."

The verse was published in Youth's Companion, 1881. Has anyone access to this magazine?

Fife & Fife, in Cowboy and Western Songs, A Comprehensive Anthology, says "we are told Billy's grave is located near the town of Payson, Arizona."

The tune's author is unknown; it was collected by John Donald Robb, formerly professor, University of New Mexico.

Musical score in Fife & Fife, with chords.
No. 46, pp. 129-131, 1969, Cowboy and Western Songs, A Comprehensive Anthology, Clarkson N. Potter, Inc. (reprint 1982, Bramhall House).
Lomax makes no acknowledgments. The score, given in the 1938 Cowboy Songs and Other Frontier Ballads, Lomax & Lomax, (not in previous editions) is similar to that in Fife & Fife.

Besides Art Thieme, other early recordings by Billy Maxwell, 1929; Harry McClintock, 1928; Luther Royce, 1941; and Glenn Ohrlin. (The Traditional Ballad Index).

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 06 May 11 - 08:38 PM

Art's music has a way of hitting the soul ... it sure does Kat
my God I just remembered I didn't send your CD's ... OH CRap ... I will post a note on my frig for monday morning ... My mind is going with my hair

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: katlaughing
Date: 06 May 11 - 08:29 PM

Doncha just love it, Dan? I am SO happy Art's stuff is on youtube now, too. Sorry I missed your postings in this in '09. This is my very fav. of the songs my dad did. Still just makes me cry my heart out.

kat

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 06 May 11 - 07:57 PM

Here's to you Rounders - Art Thieme

Here's to you Rounders

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 06 May 11 - 07:53 PM

Becky here is Art's Julia Belle Swain
amazing performance, great guitar work my dear friend

Art Thieme Julia Belle Swain

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 06 May 11 - 07:47 PM

His Diamond Joe has been playing nonstop here also Becky. I will post some more for you ... his version of lone prairie is about the best I ever heard

That is my youtube site ..

Dan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 06 May 11 - 03:15 PM

I've been listening to Art on YouTube as I work today. Here's Billy Venero.

~ Becky in Long Beach

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 03 Jul 09 - 05:24 PM

Hey Art
did Oral Roberts really heal your dog Blue?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 05:42 PM

ya know what, gosh it is fun to talk about the old cowboy song. boy I miss them ... use to hear someone on TV belting out and old cowboy song way back when, now what do I hear on TV ... well I just better hold my tongue and simply say, nothing I want to hear

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:52 PM

No Art, I wore the thing out, the rest of us can only hope to make such mistakes my friend ... it is superb from the singing to the picking. By the way, great picking job, I have to flat pick those songs I cannot get the sound you do finger picking them. Mine come out too bluesy when I do it so I flat pick em

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Art Thieme
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:49 PM

That was my first LP and I sped through everythging. Pure nerves. But it took a hell of a lot o' nerve to do my first album live in concert. All I hear when I listen to that are the mistakes and the breakneck pace.

Art

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: olddude
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:36 PM

Kat
Art's version is the definitive version of this song for me. I have heard a number of people do it .. noone better than Art on this old Chestnut

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: GUEST,guest_olddude
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:28 PM

A very very powerful song and very easy to pick and play ... love this old tune ... just love it

Dan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: GUEST,guest_olddude
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 04:27 PM

Kat
you are an absolute doll, I been looking for them for my "Cowboy"
collection ... You made me smile, thank you

Dan

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: Gene
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 03:20 PM

I like Marty Robbins version ... and about anything else he sings.

G

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Billy Venero / Bill Vanero
From: kendall
Date: 02 Jul 09 - 08:54 AM

As I recall I learned this from a school book. English lit. if memory serves. I also heard it sung but don't remember who sang it.

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: Old recording
From: Stewie
Date: 01 Jan 02 - 07:40 PM

Billie Maxwell's 6-minute+, 2-part 1929 recording of 'Billy Venero' for Victor has been reissued on CD: Various Artists 'When I Was a Cowboy Vol 2' Yazoo 2023. It seems she was the first female recording artist to utilise the cowgirl image that was to become ubiquitous in the 30s. Her fine 'The Cowboy's Wife' was reissued on Rounder's important 'Banjo Pickin' Girl: Women in Early Country Music' compilation. Billie was billed on her records as 'The Cowgirl Singer'.

Harry 'Haywire Mac' McClintock also cut a version of 'Billy Venero' but, as far as I am aware, it has not made it to CD reissue.

--Stewie.

Subject: Old recording
From:
Date: 01 Jan 02 - 05:15 PM

The title is not available ,but could have something to do with "Billy Vanero", a name mentioned in the song this is what we have "cow ranch 40 miles away ,Was a little place that lay,In a deep and shady valley, Of a mighty wilderness." second verse,"Half a score of homes were there,Where he won the madien fair ,That held the heart of "Billy Vanero",Billy Vanero's little Bess." now here there could be verses missing ,and now we have "I will save her yes he cried,Bessie Lee shall know i tried,For there's danger at the cow ranch,Said Vanero under his breath" would like the verses,chords an tune if possible,many thanks =-=-= PENNPAP =-=-=

Subject: RE: ADD LYR PLEASE: Billy Venero
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 07:21 PM

Gene & Art: I clicked on the version you linked, Gene, and the tune is quite a bit of a variation from the one I know. Along with the difference in some wording. And, ya' know, MY DAD's version HAS to be the BEST! ***big grin*** How 'bout you Art?

I'll check out the other one later. Thanks!

Subject: RE: ADD LYR PLEASE: Billy Venero
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 07:14 PM

Art: I'd love to hear you doing this one. It's one of my very favourites! My Lomax book notes "in other versions Paul Venerez", but didn't give any other background. It's been around, in my famiy, for as long as I can remember.

Gene: thanks, I didn't think to look under the alternate name, as I've always known it as Billy Venero.

You guys are great. Thanks a bunch!

katlaughing

Subject: RE: ADD LYR PLEASE: Billy Venero
From: Gene
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 05:47 PM

There are two versions in the dababase
with spelling variation/VANERO

BILL VANERO

Subject: RE: ADD LYR PLEASE: Billy Venero
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 03:58 PM

Katey, This was originally "The Epic Ride of Paul Venerez" by poet Eban Rexford from Shioctin, Wisconsin. It went West & got a tune--then ceme back East & was found, with it's new tune, by a song collector for the Library of Congress Archive of Folksong, in Rice Lake, Wisconsin---about 10 miles from it's origin. This is the true wonder of the tradition, the folk process, that makes this wondrous treasure hunt so enthralling for me.

Art Thieme

P.S.---I put a version of this (some shorter than your printed text) on my first LP---me live at the Old Town School of Folk Music--around '75 or '76... It's one of my favorite songs.

Music in the Wild 1988 Art Thieme (Full Session) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYrNMNNj1mI

Subject: Lyr Add: BILL VENERO / BILL VANERO
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 02:59 PM

Oops. Forgot to paste it in:

BILL VENERO / BILL VANERO

Bill Venero heard them say,
In an Arizona town one day,
That a band of Apache Indians were upon the trail that way;
Heard them tell of murder done
Three men killed at Rocky Run.
"They're in danger at the cow-ranch," said Venero under his breath.

The cow-ranch, forty miles away,
Was a little place that lay,
In a deep and shady valley of the mighty wilderness.
Half a score of homes were there,
And in one a maiden fair,
Held the heart of Bill Venero: Bill Venero's little Bess.

So no wonder he grew pale,
When he heard the settler's tale,
Of the men that he'd seen murdered yesterday at Rocky Run.
"Sure as there's a God above,
I will save the girl I love;
By my love for little Bessie I will see that something's done."

Not a moment he delayed
When his brave resolve was made.
"Why, man," his comrades told him when they heard of his daring plan,
"You are riding straight to death."
But he answered: "Save your breath.
I may never reach the cow-ranch, but I'll do the best I can."

As he crossed the alkali,
All his thoughts flew on ahead,
To the little band at cow-ranch thinking not of danger near;
With his quirt's unceasing whirl,
And the jingle of his spurs,
Little brown Chapo bore the cowboy o'er the far-away frontier.

Lower and lower sank the sun.
He drew rein at Rocky Run.
"Here those men met death, my Chapo"-and he stroked his glossy mane.
"So will those we go to warn,
Ere the coming of the morn.
If we fail--God help my Bessie." And he started on again.

Sharp and clear a rifle shot,
Woke the echoes of the spot,
"I am wounded," cried Venero, as he swayed from side to side.
"While there's life there's always hope;
Slowly onward I will lope.
If I fail to reach the cow-ranch, Bessie Lee shall know I tried.

"I will save her yet," he cried. ,
"Bessie Lee shall know I tried."
And for her sake then he halted in the shadow of a hill;
From his buckskin shirt he took,
With weak hands a little book;
Tore a blank leaf from its pages saying, "This shall be my will."

From a limb a pen he broke,
And he dipped his pen of oak,
In the warm blood that was spurting from a wound above his heart.
"Rouse," he wrote. "Before too late.
Apache warriors lie in wait.
Good-by, Bess, God bless you darling," and he felt the cold tears start.

Then he made his message fast,
Love's first message and its last;
To the saddle horn he tied it, and his lips were white with pain.
"Take this message, if not me,
Straight to little Bessie Lee."
Then he leaned down in the saddle and clutched the sweaty mane.

Just at dusk a horse of brown
Wet with sweat came panting down
The little lane at the cow-ranch, stopped in front of Bessie's door;
But the cowboy was asleep,
And his slumber was so deep
Little Bess could never wake him though she tried for evermore.

You have heard the story told
By the young and by the old,
Away down yonder at the cow-ranch the night the Apaches came;
Of that sharp and bloody fight,
How the chief fell in the flight
Of the panic-stricken warriors when they heard Venero's name.

In an awed and reverent way
As men utter, "Let us pray,"
As we speak the name of heroes thinking how they lived and died,
So the heavens and earth between
Keep a little flower green
That little Bess had planted ere they laid her by his side.

Subject: ADD LYR PLEASE: Billy Venero
From: katlaughing
Date: 21 Mar 99 - 02:53 PM

Hi,

Just realised these lyrics weren't in the database, at least that I could see. Talking to another Mudcatter brought them to mind. It was one of our very favourites which we kids used to beg dad to sing. A real old cowboy tearjerker.

It is included in the 1910, 1916, 1938, 1966, & 1986 copyrighted book by John A. and Alan Lomax, "Cowboy Songs & Frontier Ballads".

I haven't learned ABC, yet, but the tune is simple. I'll try to get it in this week.

Thanks, katlaughing