THE MORMON COWBOY

I am a Mormon cowboy and Utah is my home
Tucson, Arizona is the first place I did roam
From there unto El Capitan, a place you all know well
To describe that brushy country, no mortal tongue can tell.

While at the old post office, a maid came riding down
Upon a bronco pony and was soon upon the ground
She gave to each and every one an invitation grand
Inviting us to a grand ball at the old El Capitan.

We all went to the dance that night at the schoolhouse by the road
Many folks came from Dripping Springs and many came from Globe
The music they brought with them I never shall forget
Twas a colored man with his guitar, I can hear him singing yet.

There were lots of married women there and single girls, too
I soon became acquainted with all except a few
The cowboys in their high heeled boots were leading a grand march
While the city dudes soon followed in collars stiff with starch.

After dancing two or three sets, I stepped outside to cool
Every bush that I passed by was loaded with white mule
Then after serving supper it was a quarter past one
I heard a fight had started, each cowboy pulled his gun.

Up stepped a little cow puncher, his eyes were flashing fire
He said he was the ram rod of the ranch called bar f bar
I started for my pony, the guns were flashing fast
I could hear the cowboys shouting, "We've broke it up at last."

So I bid farewell to my new made friends in the place called El Capitan
The fairest face I ever saw was in this wild and happy band
I jumped into my saddle and started back toward home
Made up my mind right then and there that I never more would roam.

I am not completely sure in a couple of spots in the second last verse. I am not exactly sure what his eyes were flashing and it might be the Bar S Bar.
This is transcribed from When I Was a Cowboy, Vol. 1 ~~ Yazoo 2022. This particular recording is by Carl Sprague, but I have also heard other versions, including one by the Deseret String Band. They have it on CD now ~~ Utah, Songs of Statehood Okehdokee 96001. Both are available from Camsco.