Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy

Subject: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 11:24 AM

Looking to the words to a folky song I heard somewhere but haven't been able to find. I remember one of the verses:

When he was a cowboy, he learned to throw the line
He learned to pocket money, and how to dress so fine
He went out on the prairie and learned to kill and steal
Oh and when he killed a cowboy, how happy he did feel
For working he's not able, and for beggin' he's too low
But killin' is so dreadful, to the gallows he must go

Does anyone have the rest of this song or know any more about it?

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 11:29 AM

The following shares similarities. However, there was no author cited. I'll dig further.

Bravest Cowboy

I am the bravest cowboy
that's ever tried the West
I've been all o'er the Rockies
got bullets in my breast

In eighteen hundred and sixty three
I joined the immigrant band
We marched from San Antonio
down by the Rio Grande

I went out on the prairie
I learned to throw the line
I learned to pocket money
but I did not dress so fine

I went out on the prairie
and learned to rob and steal
And when I robbed that cowboy
how happy I did feel

I wore a wide brim high hat
my saddle too was fine
And when I courted a pretty girl
you bet I called her mine

I courted her for beauty
for love it was in vain
They carried me down to Dallas
to wear a ball and chain



Read more: http://toneway.com/songs/bravest-cowboy#ixzz2DRPXpgRg

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,999 Here it is
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 11:31 AM

From

http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/song-midis/Sporting_Cowboy.htm


The Sporting Cowboy

When I was a cowboy I learned to throw the line,
I learned to pocket money and not to dress so fine,
Went out on the prairie, to learn to rob and steal,
When I robbed a cowboy, how happy did I feel!

For working I'm not able and beggin' is too low,
Stealin'is so dreadful, to jail I must go;
Yonder comes the jailer, his jury to come today,
Who knows that I am guilty, I'm bound to go that way.

I saw the jailer coming, about eleven o'clock,
Hands full of jail keys, them doors to unlock.
"Cheer up, cheer up, you prisoner," I heard the jury say-
I'm bound to Dallas County for ten long years to stay.

I wore my broad and summeralls, my hoss and saddle was fine
When I spied those pretty girls, you bet I called them mine,
Spotted' em all for beauty, oh, Lord, it was in vain,
I'm bound to Dallas County to wear the ball and chain.

Saw my darling coming, ten dollars in her hand.
"Give it to the cowboy, 'tis all that I command,
Give it to the cowboy, remember olden times,
So he won't forget his darling he's left so far behind."

From Our Singing Country, Lomax

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 11:41 AM

Might make it easier for you in future, SC. Try the following.


When he was a cowboy, he learned to throw the line
He learned to pocket money, and how to dress so fine

Highlight those lines

Right click on the blue and select Search Google

#####################################

The following also comes up

http://books.google.ca/books?id=i_J4Ii9oArsC&pg=PA242&lpg=PA242&dq=When+he+was+a+cowboy,+he+learned+to+throw+the+line+He+learned

On that page, the melody is just above but out of sight.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,SirCoughsalot
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 11:54 AM

Wow, I'm kind of embarrassed how quickly you did that. Thanks much! That's a good old song.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: Johnny J
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 12:06 PM

This isn't the song you want but it's well worth hearing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zFEn-zUCck

as is this one

http://www.mojvideo.com/video-rory-gallagher-when-i-was-a-cowboy/ca29a5528dc5c029ec3b

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: GUEST,999
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 12:12 PM

Thanks, SC, and as a btw you have one heckuva memory.

Subject: RE: Lyr Req: When He Was a Cowboy
From: Artful Codger
Date: 27 Nov 12 - 12:24 PM

"The Sporting Cowboy" is in the DigiTrad, with MIDI and score. The MIDI link is currently broken (the embedded player still works), but the MIDI and other materials can be downloaded from the DT mirror site sniff.numachi.com.

There are already several threads on this song; search for "When I Was a Cowboy". Most of the messages deal with a song or variant often associated with Leadbelly, about being an outlaw who rode with Jesse James, but interspersed are messages on this song.

There's a well-known recording of "The Sporting Cowboy" from the late 1920's or early 30's by Watts & Wilson; it's included on the wonderful compilation When I Was a Cowboy (Vol. 1).