Lyr Add: The Poor Cowboy

Subject: Lyr Add: THE POOR COWBOY
From: Stewie
Date: 09 Oct 00 - 03:58 AM

Bruce Molsky resurrected this fine old cowboy song on his latest album. It was originally recorded unaccompanied for the Library of Congress, but Molsky has added a delightful guitar part and Dudley Connell, erstwhile Johnson Mountain Boy and now with Seldom Scene, provided vocal harmonies to Molsky's lead.

THE POOR COWBOY
(Traditional)

Oh the poor cowboy, he's got no home
He's here today, and tomorrow gone
He's got no hope, he's forced to roam
Where he hangs his hat is a home sweet home

Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Hi, oh, ho, ho,
Hi, oh, ho, ho
You roll like cows
Never rolled before

If I was rich as Diamond Joe
I'd work today, then I'd work no more
For the work day's so hard and the pay so slow
That I don't give a durn if I work or no

Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Hi, oh, ho, ho,
Hi, oh, ho, ho
You roll like cows
Never rolled before

I'll follow the herd till I reach the end
Then I'll draw my time and I'll blow it in
Just one more tree and one more jail
Then I'll head straight back to the Texas trail

Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Hi, oh, ho, ho,
Hi, oh, ho, ho
You roll like cows
Never rolled before

I'll cross old Red and the Texas line
Then I'll head straight back to that gal of mine
I'll sit in the shade and I'll sing a song
And I'll watch the herds as they drift along

Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Roll on boys, roll
Don't you roll so slow
Hi, oh, ho, ho,
Hi, oh, ho, ho
You roll like cows
Never rolled before
Hi, oh, ho, ho,
Hi, oh, ho, ho
You roll like cows
Never rolled before

J.D. Dillingham, who worked for 50 years as a conductor on Houston and Texas Central trains, recorded 'The Poor Cowboy' for the Library of Congress in 1935. He said it had been a popular in central Texas some 50 years before that.

Source: Transcribed from Bruce Molsky 'Poor Man's Troubles' Rounder CD 0470.
PS.

Subject: RE: Lyr Add: The Poor Cowboy Chords
From: GUEST
Date: 18 Mar 12 - 01:03 PM