Lyr/Chords Req: Cowboy Fireman / Trusty Lariat

Subject: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 01:34 PM

We had one mention of this in a thread and when bill and Allan were here, one of our local singers sang it. Could someone please (Don Miexner?) supply all the words and chords? It starts... Accross the high Sierras, an SP railway train...

Alice

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: Susan of DT
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:16 PM

search for [cowboy fireman]

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRUSTY LARIAT (Harry McClintock)
From: Auxiris
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 02:20 PM

Hello, Alice. Here's the version I have (sorry, no chords)

Cheers,

Aux

THE TRUSTY LARIAT
Written by Harry McClintock.
As recorded by Harry McClintock (as Radio Mac) and the Haywire Orchestra on Dec. 15, 1929;
released as Victor V-40234 and Montgomery Ward M-4784. [YouTube]

Through the high Sierra Mountains came an SP passenger train.
The hobos tried to ride her, but found 'twas all in vain.

The fireman was a cowboy, but do not think that strange.
He could make more money a-shovelin' coal than ridin' on the range.

So though he was a cowboy, and though he had to sweat,
He still remained a Western guy and kept his lariat.

The train was way behind time when suddenly ahead
A little child strolled on the track and filled them all with dread.

"My Gosh!" the hog-head shouted, as he slammed on all the brakes.
"I'll never stop this SP train; she ain't got what it takes."

Up sprang the cowboy fireman, and a gallant lad was he.
"Now, I will save that baby if I wreck the whole SP!"

He climbed up on the boiler as the train sped on its course,
And swung his trusty lariat as though he rode a horse.

He dropped his loop around a pole that stood beside the track
And tied the other end of it around the big smokestack.

He jerked the train right off the rails and caused an awful wreck,
And our hero lay there in the ditch with the engine on his neck.

Oh, we will all remember that 45th of May,
For there were many gallant hearts all filled with fear that day.

They buried that poor fireman where the prairie wind blows wild.
He killed two hundred passengers but thank God he saved the child!

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 05:45 PM

What an odd coincidence -- I dug out some old REX ALLEN, SR. LPs this week and played that song along with some other western classics-and burned a CD of them

Little Joe The Wrangler
Windy Bill
Two Texas Boys
Nothin' To Do
Ol' Faithful
Night Herdin' Song
Moonshine Steer
Song Of The Hills
Cowboy's Lament/Laredo
Tyin' Knots In The Devil's Tail
When The Work's All Done This Fall
Cattle Call
The Braggin' Drunk From Wilcox
and a few others...
REX ALLEN, SR. was one of the GREATS...

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: Alice
Date: 07 Aug 00 - 07:31 PM

oops, fireman not brakeman. No wonder I could not find it when I searched the DT. Thanks. Chords?

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: raredance
Date: 13 Aug 00 - 11:56 AM

Nice recording also by Slim Crithlow

rich r

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: Alice
Date: 13 Aug 00 - 12:18 PM

CHORDS, please??

Subject: RE: Lyr/Chords Req: The Cowboy Brakeman
From: raredance
Date: 13 Aug 00 - 09:48 PM

I think "Critchlow" is closer to the correct spelling

rich r

Subject: Lyr Add: THE TRUSTY LARIAT (from Slim Critchlow)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Feb 24 - 06:18 PM

Slim Critchlow sang it somewhat differently:

THE TRUSTY LARIAT
As recorded by Slim Critchlow on "Cowboy Songs: The Crooked Trail to Holbrook," Arhoolie/Smithsonian Folkways, 1999. [YouTube]

Through the high Sierry Mountains came an SP passenger train.
The hobos tried to ride her but found 'twas all in vain.

The conductor took the tickets, and he counted every soul.
The engineer looked straight ahead and the fireman shoveled coal.

The fireman was a cowboy, but do not think it strange.
He could make more money a-shovelin' coal than ridin' on the range.

But though he was a fireman and though he had to sweat,
He still remained a Western guy and he kept his lariat.

The train was way behind time and the passengers all were wild
When on the track a-sudden there strolled a little child.

Her golden hair in ringlets was a-hangin' down her back.
She little knew her danger great as she strolled along that track.

"My God!" the hog-head shouted, as he slammed on all the brakes.
"I'll never stop this train in time 'cause I ain't got what it takes.

“Oh, heaven help that wee tot!" he cried in accents wild.
"Can nothin' stop this SP train and save that little child?"

Then up sprang the cowboy fireman, and a gallant lad was he.
"Now, I will save that baby if I wreck the whole SP!"

He climbed out on the runnin' board and with tears his eyes were wet,
And in his hand, our hero brave had his trusty lariat.

He quickly dropped a fast loop 'round a pole beside the track,
And he tied the other end of it around the big smokestack.

He jerked that train right off the rails and he caused an awful wreck.
And our hero lay there in the ditch with the engine on his neck.

Oh, we will all remember that 45th of May,
For there were many gallant hearts all filled with fear that day.

They buried that poor fireman where the prairie winds blow wild.
He killed two hundred passengers but thank God he saved the child!

Subject: Lyr Add: SAVED FROM DEATH (Hersee/Bischoff)
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 25 Feb 24 - 06:22 PM

GUEST,henryp said in this message in another thread, that THE TRUSTY LARIAT is a parody of the following song. This is my transcription of the lyrics from the sheet music found in The Lester S. Levy Sheet Music Collection at Johns Hopkins University:


SAVED FROM DEATH
Words by George William Hersee, music by J. W. Bischoff.
Published by John Church & Co, Cincinnati, 1874.

1. A child sat on a railway track, Heedless of coming harm.
It cared not for the clashing bell, Or whistle’s loud alarm.
On sweeps the train with whirlwind rush; Ere many moments fly,
||: The little joyous bud of life A fearful death must die. :||

2. Still on the fiery monster came, The hearts of all stood still,
And through the veins of ev’ry one There shot a sick’ning chill.
Out from her home the mother rushed, She shrieked in anguish wild:
||: “Oh, God of heaven, strike me down, But spare, O, spare my child!” :||

3. The engineer sees the child; The whistle screams “down brakes,”
And as he throws the lever back, No nerve or muscle shakes.
He then climbs out on his engine, Quick, yet with bated breath,
||: To try, if God will nerve his arm, To save the child from death. :||

4. And as he feels his way along, And on the pilot stands,
The mother moans, “God give you strength,” Then falls upon the sands.
His eye is quick, his nerve is great, His soul knows no alarms,
O, God, that wheel will crush the child! No, no, ’tis in his arms!
Great God in heaven, we thank thee now, ’Tis safe within his arms!