Rickaby has 14 verses in his text, otherwise similar to the version sung by Robert Walker on Wolf River Songs.

THE LITTLE BROWN BULLS
Verses from Joe Bainter, Wisconsin

Not a thing on the river McCluskey did fear
When he drew the stick o'er the big spotted steers.
They were young, quick, and sound, girting eight foot and three.
Says McCluskey to the Scotchman, "They're the laddies for me."

Chorus-
Derry down, down, down derry down.

2
Bull Gordon, the Yankee, on skidding was full,
As he cried "Whoa-hush" to the little brown bulls,
Short-legged and soggy, girt six foot and nine.
Says McCluskey the Scotchman, "Too light for our pine."
3
It's three to the thousand our contract did call,
Our hauling was good and the timber was tall.
McCluskey he swore he'd make the day full
And skid two to one of the little brown bulls.
4
"Oh no," says Bull Gordon; "that you cannot do,
Though it's well do we know you've the pets of the crew,
And mark you, my boy, you would have your hands full,
If you skid one more log than the little brown bulls."
5
The day was appointed and soon it drew nigh,
For twenty-five dollars their fortunes to try,
Both eager and anxious that morning were found,
And scalers and judges appeared on the ground.
6
With a whoop and a yell came McCluskey in view,
With the big spotted steers, the pets of the crew,
Both chewing their cuds- "O boys, keep your jaws full,
For you easily can beat them the little brown bulls."
7
Then out came Bull Gordon with a pipe in his jaw,
The little brown bulls with their cuds in their mouths;
And little we think, when we seen them come down,
That a hundred and forty could they jerk around.
8
Then up spoke McCluskey: "Come stripped to the skin.
We'll dig them a hole and tumble them in.
We'll learn the d----d Yankee to face the bold Scot.
We'll mix them a dose and feed it red hot."
9
Said Gordon to Stebbin, with blood in his eye,
"To-day we must conquer McCluskey or die,"
Then up spoke bold Kennebec, "Boy, never fear,
For you ne'er shall be beat by the big spotted steers."
10
The sun had gone down when the foreman did say,
"Turn out, boys, turn out; you've enough for the day.
We have scaled them and counted, each man to his team,
And it's well do we know now which one kicks the beam."
11
After supper was over McCluskey appeared
With the belt ready made for the big spotted steers.
To form it he'd torn up his best mackinaw.
he was bound he'd conduct it according to law.
12
Then up spoke the scaler, "Hold on, you a while.
The big spotted steers are behind just one mile.
For you have a hundred and ten and no more,
And Gordon has beat you by ten and a score."
13
The shanty did ring and McCluskey did swear.
He tore out by handfuls his long yellow hair.
Says he to Bull Gordon "My colors I'll pull.
So here, take the belt for the little brown bulls."
14
Here's health to Bull Gordon and Kennebec John;
The biggest day's work on the river they done.
So fill up your glasses and fill them up full;
We'll drink to the health of the little brown bulls.

13A, 65-68, with musical score.
Franz Rickaby, 1926, Ballads and Songs of the Shanty-Boy, Harvard University Press.

Note: According to Fred Bainter, the song was composed in Mart Douglas's camp in northwestern Wisconsin in 1872 or 1873. It was at this camp and at this date that the contest was waged.
Stebbin was the chainer, Gordon's team-mate, whose full name was evidently "Kennebec."