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Lyr Req/Add: Rojo (recitation)

21 Jul 01 - 03:52 PM (#512122)
Subject: Rojo
From: kendall

Some years ago, Archie Campbell recited a poem called ROJO. It is not in the DT, does anyone have it?

21 Jul 01 - 04:22 PM (#512143)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: Sorcha

No joy Kendall. Lots of stuff about Archie, but damn few lyrics.

22 Jul 01 - 07:41 PM (#512473)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: kendall

refresh

23 Jul 01 - 03:34 PM (#512755)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: Chicken Charlie

I wonder if you mean a poem about a Mex. bandit in Calif. called "El Rojo." Jist of it was a local don had a fabulous horse, which El Rojo wanted to steal, but then the horse owner offered El Rojo a place to stay and the bandit's code of honor forbade him violating law of hospitality by stealing the nag. He revealed his ident. to the host and swore that not only would he never take the horse, he would instruct the other bandits likewise. If that's the one, a man named Ken Graydon wrote it. He is in San Diego County somewhere and I will look for his addy when I get home. Pls tell me if you think this is the right poem, though, so I don't spend three days tracking the wrong dude.

CC

23 Jul 01 - 05:14 PM (#512858)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: nutty

If it's the Ken Graydon poem .... it can be found here.......

THE RUDELL PAGES

23 Jul 01 - 05:35 PM (#512865)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: bobbi

Kendall: I have it on tape.. It's about a cock fight. I can try to transcribe it for you.

23 Jul 01 - 08:07 PM (#512943)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: kendall

That's it bobbi, I'd love to have it. Thanks Nutty and Charlie.

24 Jul 01 - 02:30 AM (#513150)
Subject: Lyr Add: ROJO (poem) ^^
From: bobbi

ROJO


Fowler's the name, Stew Fowler! I'm a rooster. Fightin's my racket. Cock fightin'.

I came all the way from Texas across the burnin' sand
To wet my feathers in the Rio Grande.
I've hobbled for miles through Mexico,
I've come to kill a big rooster called Rojo.
(doin' it all for chicken feed)

For a country red, Rojo's wild.
His fame is spread for many a mile.
The hens all cackle when Rojo's around,
But Stew Fowler's here to put Big Red down.
(I'll give them chickens somethin' to cackle about!)

It's mid afternoon as I stand in the street
Of this Spanish town called Los Leghorn's Retreat.
At the end of the row a canteena stands
(ain't nothin' but a chicken coop)
It's plainly the haunt of an outlaw band.

The sign in the front reads,
La Grande de Nesto,
And it's there I know
I'll find my foe, the fabled Rojo.

I can hear fowl language
Comin' out of that honky tonk.
I've strut down the street, the cock of the walk.
I crow for Big Red to come out and talk.

Through the swingin' doors
Of the Grande de Nesto,
His head erect
And his tail feathers low, steps Rojo!
(I can tell he's a really bad egg)

His spurs are long and his eyes are green,
An uglier cock I've never seen.
He learned to be tough while he's in the pen,
But I know his weakness... hens and gin.

Then out of that honky tonk and up to Rojo's side
Steps the prettiest little dance hall cackler in the West, Bluestie Nuster,
The southern fried feather duster.
(Gosh she's pretty. I'd like to run my hands through that red comb of hers)

Rojo comes at me in a long lanky run.
Some people gathers round to watch the fun.
(You know, people are the strangest chickens)

Bird to bird and beak to beak
I face Rojo, and my heart gets weak.
I crow and strut and I jump about,
And then I take off and I run, cause I done chickened out.

bw

I do not know who the author is, but Archie Campbell sang it and may have written it as well.^^

Line Breaks <br> added.
-Joe Offer-

24 Jul 01 - 01:21 PM (#513533)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: kendall

Thanks so much bobbi!

24 Jul 01 - 04:05 PM (#513706)
Subject: ADD: The Honor of Julian Chavez (poem)^^
From: Joe Offer

I think the Ken Graydon poem referred to above is worth posting.

-Joe Offer-

The Honor of Julian Chavez

(Ken Graydon)

The stories come down from the Old Ones,
that at times in the full moon's pale light,
The spirit of Julian Chavez,
Can be heard as he rides through the night.
A clatter of hoofs in the courtyard,
The sound of a horse running fast,
Then fading away in the distance,
A feeling that someone has passed.

The mention of Julian Chavez
is not taken lightly, Señor,
for his was a large reputation,
El Ladrón de Caballos Mejor!
Known best as Chavez El Rojo,
For the shade of his hair and mustache,
A horse thief renowned for his cunning.
There was no one more daring or rash.

To the rancho they call Buena Vista,
As the daylight declined in the West,
A strange caballero came riding,
Through gates never closed to a guest.
In the custom of old California,
"Mi casa, su casa" they would say.
A stranger was always welcome,
And never was one turned away.

This man wore the mark of a sheriff,
A man to be trusted on sight.
A chair was pulled up to the table,
And a room was prepared for the night.
With morning the stranger admired
The livestock, the orchards so green,
And preparing to leave said "Forgive me,
But there is one horse that I have not seen."

"A magnificent stallion, they told me,
A thoroughbred, one of the best.
I had hoped for a chance to admire him.
He was not in the barn with the rest."
"It is true, he is not with the others.
He sleeps in the house at my side,
For Chavez El Rojo would steal him.
He covets the stallion I ride."

Then loud came the laugh of the stranger,
As he bowed once again to his host,
"I am Julian Chavez El Rojo,
The one that you fear," was his boast.
"I came here in search of your stallion,
To steal him and ride him away,
But you fed me and housed me in friendship,
And that leaves me a debt to pay."

"By the honor of Julian Chavez,
I swear to you now as I stand,
Neither I nor my men shall annoy you.
I will not take your stallion so grand."
He mounted and wheeled in the courtyard,
"Hasta Luego" and a touch of the spur,
And Julian Chavez departed,
At ease in the saddle and sure.

In the fall at the round-up of cattle,
Vaqueros from nowhere appeared,
Skilled ropers and herders and riders,
To help with the tally of steers.
Their maestro would not hear of payment,
As the riders departed once more.
"It is Chavez El Rojo who sent us,
In thanks for your kindness, Señor."
^^

24 Jul 01 - 09:19 PM (#513935)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: Chicken Charlie

Joe--

Damn right. Thanks for adding that. It needs to be heard from Ken, a wonderful raconteur, but the words by themselves are great. Thanks again.

CC

02 Jul 08 - 01:11 PM (#2379279)
Subject: RE: Lyr Req: Rojo
From: GUEST,Bob

I would like to have the music of Rojo by Archie campbell -on tape-record or cd- that doesn't matter- can't seem to find the music-thanks-just let me know how much-